2016 Ford Transit Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints about the 2016 Ford Transit center on the flexible coupling between the transmission and driveshaft, which many describe failing as a vibration, clunk or boom followed by loss of power, sometimes with damage to nearby lines and parts. A smaller but regular set of complaints covers diesel fuel-system trouble (metal debris, stalling, reduced power), rear seat belts that will not latch, sliding-door and door-handle problems, and the rearview camera.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Driveshaft flexible coupling failure (vibration, boom, loss

   • 46 complaints (29%)
   • median 106,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a shaking or wobbling that builds with speed, a clunk or boom from underneath, and in some cases loss of motive power or a driveshaft coming apart. Several owners say the coupling was replaced under a recall but the vibration or noise returned afterward, and some report the dealer would not cover further repairs. A few describe related damage to the transmission, brake lines or fuel lines. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 to well past 150,000 miles, frequently at highway speeds.

   Recall 19V767000Recall 17V408000Recall 19V103000Recall 21V6310005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the driveshaft coupling inspected and ask whether the vehicle received the driveshaft recalls (17V408000, 19V767000) and what was actually installed. On a test drive, listen for a boom or hum from the rear and feel for vibration at steady speeds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My van was called for a change of part called a coupler or quibo. The fact is that after this repair under warranty, the vehicle vibrates at 40m/h. I went back to the dealer and they told me that the toque converter was damaged and that it would cost me $3,546 to fix it. The vehicle went into recall perfectly and now it is failing due to the same repair”

   NHTSA complaint #11505957, filed 2023-02, 111,319 miles

   “I own and operate a Ford f 250 Transit van. Task is the expedite of auto & aerospace parts through out the country. Have learned there is a safety recall per oem and NHTSA regarding drivetrain couplers ( unoints ). My particular vehicle has incurred damage as result of coupler(s) failing. Damage including; not limited to driveshaft becoming detached, severance of fuel & brake lines, breach of transmission bell housing, other. Catastrophic failure left me stranded in desert for 2 days, loss of business, loss of income, health related issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11278542, filed 2019-11, 160,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel fuel-system debris and stalling

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners of 3.2L diesel vans report stalling or loss of power, sometimes with a reduced-power message, and dealers finding metal debris in the fuel system or a failed high-pressure fuel pump. Complaints mention fuel injector replacement that did not resolve the problem, and some owners question whether build dates outside the recall window should be covered. Mostly reported between roughly 65,000 and 170,000 miles, often while driving at speed.

   Recall 16V6180002 related service bulletins

   What to check: For diesel vans, ask for service records on the fuel system and whether the fuel-injector recall (16V618000) applies to the build date. Have a mechanic check for metal debris in the fuel filter housing before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2016 Transit 350 with the 3.2l diesel emgine and I have problems with metallic debris in my fuel looking on line foed has a recall (16s32) that covers build dates july11/2015-april14/2016 and my Transit was build end of may 2016 and Transit is having the same problems, I think the recall should be extened to the end of may 2016 also the dealer is going to charge me for 24 hours of labor and the recall for the same problem is only saying that it should take 10.2 hours please help me”

   NHTSA complaint #11321808, filed 2020-04, 100,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as an engine stall due to the fuel pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11428554, filed 2021-08, 74,000 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Rear seat belts that will not latch

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • median 51,600 mi at 4.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Complaints describe rear-row seat belts that will not latch or that jam, leaving a seating position unusable, and in one case a belt that tightened around a child. Owners say dealers checked whether the vehicle was covered by the rear seat belt buckle recall, and some were told their vehicle was not included. Reported from about 24,000 to 99,000 miles, generally when loading or using the rear seats.

   Recall 16V111000

   What to check: Buckle and unbuckle every rear seat belt before buying and check the vehicle's recall status for 16V111000. Ask whether any buckles have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “One of the rear seatbelts will not latch, rendering that seat unusable. There is already a recall for this vehicle made at the same assembly plant, assembled during the listed time period, yet my vehicle does not show that it is covered by this recall. The description in that recall matches exactly the problem that I am experiencing. When attempting to call Ford motor company, multiple attempts resulted in being hung up on despite this ocurring during their listed business hours.”

   NHTSA complaint #11390790, filed 2021-01, 99,000 miles

   “After arriving home in our 2016 Ford Transit van, we parked in our driveway and placed the transmission into the park position and set the emergency brake. Our family opened the doors and proceeded to exit the vehicle. Our four year old son, however, had unbuckled and twisted around in his seat such that he became trapped in his seat belt. The more he struggled to get free the more it ratcheted tight... To the point that he couldn't breath. Despite us trying everything to free him, the seat belt would not release him. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10985983, filed 2017-05, 18,925 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Sliding door and door handle problems

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2023

   Owners report side sliding door hinges breaking and the door failing to close or latch, sometimes leaving the van unusable until repaired, with repeat failures after replacement. Others describe the interior door handle detaching, and water entering near the roof rack on the driver and passenger sides. Reported from around 29,000 to 145,000 miles, typically during everyday loading and door use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Open and close the sliding doors several times and check hinge play, latch engagement and the door-check noise. Look for water stains near the headliner and door sills, and test the interior handles from inside.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Side sliding door hinges have broken and had to be replaced several times. It has been an ongoing and unresolved issue with the side door. The side door does not close properly and currently will not close or latch making it undriveable as it will slide open if attempting to drive. Car was parked on flat surface when attempting to close door that would not latch.”

   NHTSA complaint #11394892, filed 2021-02, 70,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the interior door handle detached, trapping the contact inside the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic and determined that the failure was with the door handle bracket and switch. The door handle was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,561.”

   NHTSA complaint #11543207, filed 2023-09, 145,561 miles

Buying note. Check the driveshaft coupling and confirm which of the driveshaft recalls were actually performed, since owners often report symptoms continuing after repair. For diesel vans, review fuel-system history, and test the rear seat belts, sliding doors and backup camera before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.