The Lemon Index
202020221st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Ford E-Series 512021 Chevrolet Express 172021 Ram ProMaster 111
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't 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 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2015-2021 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel (SRW),…”?
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 13 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 →
In owners' words
Vehicle delivered with 5-hole spare wheel. Vehicle requires 6-hole wheel. Discovered discrepancy when a tire separated and required a spare to replace it.
2021 Ford Transit owner · NHTSA complaint 11589210
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 2021 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 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2015-2021 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel (SRW),…
- Harsh engagement into drive
- Harsh engagement into drive
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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 4 recalls
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
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 Medium Roof (8,10,12) Pass WAGON AWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
| Ford Transit Medium Roof (8,10,12) Pass WAGON RWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ford Transit Connect WAGON FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | 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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 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 12; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Transit year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (31%), wheels (31%) and suspension (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Transit have?
4 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 2021 Ford Transit get?
16 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ford Transit safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 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 2021 Ford Transit have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Transit year is better than the 2021?
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