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Ford TransitModel year report

2021 Ford Transit Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,469miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
2–4 / 5stars overall, 8 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 15 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Ford Transit (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford Transit. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown (5) and wheels (5). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,469 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 134 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 36 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Noise in the rear of the vehicle during low speed tight turns (parking lot speed). Vehicle has had axle bearing/hub replaced along with 7585W oil. The problem never went away even after this repair and has become worse. The dealership has had my vehicle for over 2 weeks and cannot find the problem. My concerns are: The dealership cannot diagnose the problem and if the problem is related to the drive line it could lead to a failure at highway speeds which could be catastrophic.”

NHTSA complaint #11554309, filed 2023-11

Other or unknown: “We are writing to formally escalate catastrophic and highly dangerous safety failure issues involving a Braun Millenium Lift, hydraulic oil explosion, failure of the emergency back up pump, severe structural defects, a sagging floor near wheelchair tie downs and the rear passenger seat and a four year pattern of negligence from the dealer that installed Braun Lift. We had the van into dealer about this issue many times. They adjusted something and would say every things ok. …”

NHTSA complaint #11770381, filed 2026-10

Wheels: “Broken Valve Stem - While on vacation the warning light came on telling me I only had 15 pounds of pressure in my right inside rear tire (has dual tires.) I pumped it and took it to a tire store in Twin Falls Idaho. They could not find a leak and sent me on my way. When home in California I took it to La Mesa RV who found the broken valve stem. They said they had seen quite a few on this vehicle and recommended replacing all. They gave me the name of several close by tire shops. …”

NHTSA complaint #11476539, filed 2022-07

Electrical system: “Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Ford Transit. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 33,000; and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 320,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11710947, filed 2026-01, 320,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 92,000 miles.

0%0–1029%10–2514%25–500%50–7529%75–1000%100–15029%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,469 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220232024202572026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Ford Transit. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Transit LOW Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN RWD★★★★☆4 / 2553 · 26.7% risk
Transit Medium Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN RWD★★★☆☆4 / 2552 · 37.6% risk
Transit High Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN AWD★★★☆☆4 / 2551 · 42.3% risk
Transit High Roof 15 Pass · VAN AWD★★★☆☆4 / 2552 · 35.6% risk
Transit High Roof 15 Pass · VAN RWD★★★☆☆4 / 2551 · 45.1% risk
Transit LOW Roof 15 Pass · VAN RWD★★★☆☆4 / 2552 · 33.8% risk
Transit Medium Roof 15 Pass · VAN RWD★★★☆☆4 / 2552 · 37.6% risk
Transit High Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN RWD★★☆☆☆4 / 2551 · 51.6% risk
Transit Medium Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN AWDnot rated4 / 255—
Transit LOW Roof (8,10,12) Pass · VAN AWDnot rated4 / 255—
Transit LOW Roof 15 Pass · VAN AWDnot rated4 / 255—
Transit Medium Roof 15 Pass · VAN AWDnot rated4 / 255—
Transit Van · VAN AWDnot rated4 / 2———
Transit Van · VAN RWDnot rated4 / 2———

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Ford Transit version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Transit T150 Wagon 2WD FFV3.5L 6-cyl · flex-fuel10-speed automatic151916$4,200
Transit T150 Wagon 4WD FFV3.5L 6-cyl · flex-fuel10-speed automatic141816$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Ford Transit → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 134 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 134 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Transit

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20265491———Too new
2024289,087102–4—Too new to compareToo new
20236027,230182–4—58 · TypicalToo new
2022398,632162–41736 · TypicalRising
20212479,46942–416—Rising
2020845,00092–41761 · TypicalRising
20193840,0009—158 · FewerRising
20185844,640143–41620 · FewerRising
20179849,000183–41644 · TypicalRising
201615670,500213–41660 · TypicalRising
201519380,000263–41655 · TypicalRising

All Ford Transit model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Ford Transit have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford Transit as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Ford Transit is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 5.

Has the 2021 Ford Transit been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Ford Transit do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Ford Transit 2–4 out of 5 stars overall, across 8 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Transit get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Ford Transit (Transit T150 Wagon 2WD FFV, 3.5L 6-cyl · flex-fuel) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Ford Transit reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,469 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 92,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.