The Lemon Index
201820201st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: speed control
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Ford E-Series 112019 Ford Transit Connect 282019 Ram ProMaster 37
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V876000 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 25V572000 (back over prevention) and 21V631000 (parking brake) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Ford sent dealers 152 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2018-2019 Escape, Transit Connect and EcoSport vehicles equipped with a keyed ignition…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 15 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 15K miles (1K to 24K km) on the car (10 of all 15 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 35.8M views · 2015–2025 Ford Transit
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical710K views
Ford Transit | Radio removal 2015-2019Enfig · 308K views · 6 videos - Oil changes & service669K views
6 must-know maintenance tips for the Ford Transit 2013 to 2018Haynes Manuals · 294K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS451K views
2016 Ford Transit - How to Replace Rear Brake Pads - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 133K views · 5 videos - Starter, alternator & belts378K views
Urgent Timing Belt (Wet Belt) Replacement | 2019 Ford Transit at 66K Miles | The Car EditionThe Car Edition Ltd · 378K views
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring336K views
2015-2019 FORD TRANSIT VAN OIL CHANGE REQUIRED SERVICE LIGHT RESET - DIYDan the Fix it Man · 167K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter277K views
How to Change the Transmission Fluid for 2015/2021 Ford Transit 250 350Less Expensive fix · 79K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors159K views
2015 Ford Transit Mirror ReplacementAndrew Derr · 116K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank134K views
![[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/swpfU356yAM/mqdefault.jpg)
[2/3] Ford Transit Not Starting - Fuel Pump Control Module Fix! 2015 Ford Transit Van 350 3.7L- Rd.↓Our Family - Life Solutions · 82K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2015-2025 Ford Transit review, 5 major problems, Ford will not. Ford Transit 15 passenger reviewrepairvehicle · 438K views
Top 5 Problems Ford Transit 250 Van 2015-2025 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 50K views
2016 Ford Transit T-150 Explorer Conversion Van WalkaroundPeoria Ford Commercial Fleet · 1.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 152 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2018-2019 Escape, Transit Connect and EcoSport vehicles equipped with a keyed ignition…
- Front wheel bearing type noise or DTCs C0031 and/or C0034
- When removing and installing a 2015-2019 Transit front subframe, the cage nuts located in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2021
An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
Show all 9 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The wheel mounting surface of the axle flange may be warped and cause the wheel studs to fracture.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2020
The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2020
The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant.
- Body structure · recall issued 2019
Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019 Hybrid only
The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Transit High Roof 15 Pass WAGON RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Transit year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Ford Transit years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit/?y=2019" title="Ford Transit reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-transit/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Ford Transit reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 10; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2019 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (20%), body structure (20%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Transit have?
9 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Ford Transit get?
15 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Ford Transit cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Ford Transit have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Transit year than the 2019?
Not nearby: the 2019 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Transit years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works