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EnginePart report

2017 Ford Transit Engine Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
16%of 98 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Ford Transit, 16% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Our fleet of Ford transits are all having similar issues. This is the 2nd time this particular vehicle has lost power while driving causing extremely dangerous safety concerns. We were instructed by Ford to replace the throttle body which was done in 2021 and now the same issue is occurring. Ford needs to remedy this issue long-term. This issue is affecting the trust from my employees to provide them safe transportation, inoperable vehicles are causing lost revenue and the rest of my fleet is now unreliable causing concern for more serious accidents. …”

NHTSA complaint #11556071, filed 2023-11, 175,000 miles

“Vehicle will randomly shift into first gear typically while going down hill on interstate at speeds of 70 MPH or greater. The resulting shift causes the engine to rev far past red line and causes severe unintended deceleration. Situation happens without warning and after a few more harsh shifts goes back to normal. Contacted multiple Ford dealers with no answer to problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11316321, filed 2020-03, 80,000 miles

“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, filed 2026-02

“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, filed 2025-03

“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, filed 2024-11

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024518%
2023813%
202238%
202056%
201938%
20181424%
20171616%
20162013%
20153518%

Other parts of the 2017 Ford Transit

Transmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Ford Transit

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology