2017 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 Feb 28, 2026TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have had many issues with this vehicle. The engine leaks oil onto the exhaust causing the engine to smoke, the engine uses antifreeze, the transmission will downshift at highway speeds to such a low gear that I need to put the van into neutral so that the engine doesn't blow up. It uses brakes quickly, (New brakes every 10,000 miles or so). Gas milage is less then 12MPG as well.

   NHTSA complaint #11721118 · source
2. Filed Feb 20, 2026150,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission sensor had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11719338 · source
3. Filed Oct 3, 2025178,000 miMSTowedBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V408000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while his daughter-in-law was driving approximately 60-70 MPH down the interstate, there was an abnormally loud, unidentifiable sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle rolled to the side of the road. The contact stated that the repairs should be covered under…

   NHTSA complaint #11691136 · source
4. Filed Aug 25, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The Driveshaft Flexible Coupling failed while traveling on Interstate 95 South. It is available for inspection upon request. Multiple recall notices have been issued for this (NHTSA 17V-408) problem, and we have complied with them ALL except for one that we never received, supposedly mailed November of 2019. We have two of the recalled vehicles (2) 2017 Ford Transit Vans. Our safety and the safety of others was put at risk when this Coupling failed while traveling on…

   NHTSA complaint #11682946 · source
5. Filed Jun 30, 202598,000 miOHSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken for an alignment; however, after driving for five miles, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vibration had become progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11670259 · source
6. Filed May 1, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain

   This unit has a Failed Torque Converter. I looked online and found that there are hundreds of people (including shipping companies like Amazon) complaining about this issue, but there is no recall for the vehicle. However, they have several recalls for the TC on other models for that year. All complaints state that the TC goes out as low as 60,000 miles, and requires a full transmission rebuild at $3,700-$6200 per vehicle. This only rectifies the issue until the next 60,000…

   NHTSA complaint #11658156 · source
7. Filed Apr 29, 2025TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have wrote to you before on this, but today (4.29.25) while driving downhill at 65 mph, no cruise control on, my van downshifted ON ITS OWN down to third gear and luckily, I was smart enough to shift the van in neutral and then back to drive or I would have blown up the engine. This is not just happening to my van, I have a friend who has purchased one and the transmission has gone out with only 35,000 miles on his van. My van is leaking oil and leaving spots everywhere it…

   NHTSA complaint #11657579 · source
8. Filed Apr 1, 2025GAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and vibrated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it awaited a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11652038 · source
9. Filed Mar 26, 2025TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have sent this before, but my vehicles transmission will downshift, (at highway speeds), to a lower gear. I always have to put the van into neutral and then back into drive to get it to drive normal again. Also the van leaks oil onto the manifold which starts smoking. My van also uses antifreeze and I need to refill the coolant about every 2-3 days. This ecoboost engine is dangerous.

   NHTSA complaint #11650680 · source
10. Filed Nov 19, 2024TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The transmission will downshift when deceleration and will actually throw you forward in the seat due to dropping into a lower gear. Vehicle has also developed an oil leak where oil is dripping onto the manifold, possible engine fire hazard. Engine is losing coolant due to possible blown head gasket.

    NHTSA complaint #11626151 · source
11. Filed Nov 6, 2024TNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission will downshift on its own when vehicle is decelerating making engine RPMs over rev. Only way I have found to prevent this is to shift to neutral and then back to drive. I don't like doing this because it could accidently get shifted into reverse while driving at highway speeds! Valve cover leaks dripping oil onto the exhaust manifold causing the vehicle to smoke very badly and could possibly cause a fire.

    NHTSA complaint #11623831 · source
12. Filed Sep 27, 2024113,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound underneath the floorboard. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was fluid puddling underneath the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train),…

    NHTSA complaint #11616814 · 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