2016 Ford Transit transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V767000Oct 25, 2019293,558 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles. This recall includes all full-size Transit vehicles previously recalled under 17V-408 except ones that received mechanical universal joint (u-joint) as a remedy and any 156" or 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies models. The flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.

  Risk: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles until the final remedy is available. The final remedy will consist of installation of a driveshaft front section equipped with a mechanical u-joint in place of the flexible coupling. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S38. Note: This recall supersedes recall number 17V-408.

• Recall 19V103000Feb 21, 2019174 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

  XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.

  Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.

  Remedy: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.

• Recall 17V408000Jun 26, 2017372,991 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.

  Risk: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S15.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 4, 2026197,000 miDETowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the rubber-flexible coupling between the transmission became shredded into pieces and the vehicle swerved off the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rubber transmission coupler had failed and needed to be upgraded to the metal version by the manufacturer. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that…

   NHTSA complaint #11754643 · source
2. Filed Jun 9, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased this vehicle, used, back in 2024 from STG Auto Group of Montclair. At the time I purchased the vehicle, they informed me there were no open recalls and ensured me the vehicle was safe to operate. About a year later, the driveshaft coupling (NHTSA 17V408000) completely sheared and I lost control for a bit on the freeway while trying to stop safely. Before I got the vehicle towed, I noticed the coupling was destroyed and it was all made of rubber. At the time I…

   NHTSA complaint #11742889 · source
3. Filed May 8, 2026105,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact's son-in-law owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while her son-in-law was driving at highway speeds, an abnormal, popping sound began to emit from the vehicle. The contact also stated that white steam began to emit from the engine as her son-in-law pulled over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed an inspection and determined that the driveshaft flexible coupling had cracked which lead to transmission damage.…

   NHTSA complaint #11736505 · source
4. Filed Apr 16, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Recall Number: 19S38 (Ford Transit Driveshaft Flexible Coupling) Subject: Inaccurate Recall Reporting Statement of Fact: I am reporting a discrepancy between physical vehicle evidence and official dealership records regarding the completion of Safety Recall 19S38. Conflicting Records: On April 8, 2026, Crossroads Ford of Apex issued Invoice #XXX stating the recall was performed with parts CK4Z-4602-N , CK4Z-4421-F , CK4Z-4635-A , and JK4Z-5A669-A. However, on April 14, 2026,…

   NHTSA complaint #11731723 · source
5. Filed Mar 3, 2026100,000 miNCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was slowly driven to the local mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the driveshaft coupling had failed and needed to be replaced. The driveshaft coupling was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, months later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11721621 · source
6. Filed Dec 19, 2025160,000 miKYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine revved, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was turned off; however, while the contact's wife was attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11706110 · source
7. Filed Oct 28, 2025FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car has the same problem it had before the recall. The dealer who supposedly fixed it says it's no longer under the recall warranty.

   NHTSA complaint #11696194 · source
8. Filed Aug 26, 2025ILBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   Summary of Complaint: The brake lines on my vehicle failed at highway speed (75 mph on I-65) while my wife and eight children were inside. This sudden failure created an extremely dangerous, life-threatening situation. Fortunately, we were able to avoid a crash, but this could easily have caused multiple fatalities. Details: We purchased this vehicle used at approximately 60,000 miles. I was never notified by Ford, the dealership, or NHTSA/DMV of any requirement for interim…

   NHTSA complaint #11683147 · source
9. Filed Jul 29, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain

   Ford automotive previously repaired the flexible driveshaft coupling, on my vehicle at about 57k miles, under recall 19S38. That exact same part failed prematurely, yesterday, at about 110k miles. I just contacted Ford and they said it was a permanent fix and no further recalls have been issued.

   NHTSA complaint #11677059 · source
10. Filed Jul 10, 202596,000 miGATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D), and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was severed in two and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11672424 · source
11. Filed May 14, 202530 miCACrash1 injuredTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact is a lawyer whose client owned a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the drive shaft coupling detached from the transmission. The contact stated that the air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained head and back injuries. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact mentioned the seat belt retracking was unknown. The contact mentioned the vehicle was towed…

    NHTSA complaint #11661010 · source
12. Filed Mar 31, 2025MNTransmission & Drivetrain

    Driving down the hwyway the transmission will kick out of sixth gear . Sometimes it goes to fifth. Sometimes it goes to forth. Sometimes it just disconnects. It is the same problem you are reporting on with the f150. Mine is the same year and the same motor and transmission as the f150 but i have the transit van t350. When it does this it says motor failure on the dash, service immediately. But it is not the motor. The motor is running fine. It is the transmission. This…

    NHTSA complaint #11651880 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology