The Lemon Index
202220241st generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2023 Ford Transit hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: electrical
59 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2023 Ford E-Series2023 Ford Transit Connect2023 Ram ProMaster
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 26V061000 (body structure), 25V876000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 25V623000 (steering) done? It has 19 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- 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 124 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This article supersedes TSB 22-2271 to update the vehicle model years affected”?
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 59 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 1K to 64K miles (2K to 103K km) on the car (10 of all 59 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
NHTSA Recall Number 23V122. Ford advises that parts are anticipated to be available 3rd Quarter 2023. This is six (6) months from now.
2023 Ford Transit owner · NHTSA complaint 11512077
More owner reports
I've been waiting on a van for 500 days from Ford Motor Company. They built the van with a recall and now aren't giving me a time when the repair will be completed.
NHTSA complaint 11555933
Secondary alternator fails to charge lithium battery bank.
NHTSA complaint 11768159
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 2023 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 124 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2271 to update the vehicle model years affected
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2355 to update the vehicle model years affected
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 19
- Body structure · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The engine crossmember may not be secured properly, which can cause the engine to shift and possibly result in a loss of drive power or brake failure.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.
- Steering · recall issued 2025
An incorrect steering coupler cover and tires that were not designed for the vehicle may have been installed during a previous repair.
Show all 19 recalls
- 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The Instrument Panel Cluster may not properly illuminate warning lights or gauges.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system's controls, including those for defog and defrost, may become inoperative.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2024
Incorrect bolts may have been used to attach the rear axle shaft, which can lead to the rear wheel locking up or separating from the axle.
- Steering · recall issued 2024
The steering column intermediate shaft may have been secured to the steering gear pinion shaft with an incorrect bolt, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
- Seats · recall issued 2024
The recliner mechanism may not engage when the seat back is fully reclined.
- Steering · recall issued 2024
The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) ground eyelet joint may experience corrosion, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
- Tires · recall issued 2024
The tires may contact the front wheel arch liner and body flange, causing damage to the tires.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2024
An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Visibility · recall issued 2023
When the accessory kit is installed, the auxiliary wire harness will disable the heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) including the defrost and defog systems.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2023
The fuel tank grade vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank shell, which can result in a fuel leak.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system's controls, including those for defog and defrost, may become inoperative.
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 CV FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect Wagon PV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,400 (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.
Every Ford Transit year. 2023 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 2023 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit/?y=2023" 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/2023/">Lemon Index</a> (2023 Ford Transit reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2023 Ford Transit reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn a bit under half as many complaints as the average car per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 38; 100 is average). The Ford Transit year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2023 Ford Transit problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and backup camera (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Transit have?
19 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Ford Transit get?
25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 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 2023 Ford Transit have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Ford Transit cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Ford Transit have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford Transit year is better than the 2023?
Nearby, the 2021 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
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