The Lemon Index
201920211st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: seats
53 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Ford Transit Connect 422020 Ram ProMaster 29
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2020 Ford Transit
- Airbag light / sensor20 complaints
Specific parts named in the 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Transit (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 17 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V876000 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 25V442000 (back over prevention) and 23V499000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Ford sent dealers 179 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Harsh engagement into”?
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 53 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 8K miles (1K to 13K km) on the car (17 of all 53 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.
In owners' words
Van was stationary on street and failed to start two times, battery was fully charged.
2020 Ford Transit owner · NHTSA complaint 11375400
More owner reports
Rear camera (back up camera) will stop working. Also, rear (right-side) and side sliding door "door open alert" false indicates, beeps horn while driving but is sporadic.
NHTSA complaint 11509288
Seat collapse. Available to be inspection. Unable to see over wheel or reach acceleration or brake petals. Air bag light comes on due to seat cutting it or disconnecting it when collapses. Dealership. No.
NHTSA complaint 11515633
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
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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
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[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 2020 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 179 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Harsh engagement into
- Some 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission and under 8,000 Km…
- Transmission fluid leak
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
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Show all 9 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2021
The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
- 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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2020
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
- 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.
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
Government investigations
- OpenRearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit VAN RWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect WAGON FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$3,750 (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.
Every Ford Transit year. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Ford Transit reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Transit year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (51%), electrical (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 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 2020 Ford Transit get?
16 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Ford Transit cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Ford Transit have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Transit year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
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