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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Ford Transit is associated with 154 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 21 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 49 reports (32% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl, 2.5l 4-cyl, 3.7l 6-cyl, and 3.5l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 25 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 154 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 21 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (49 / 32%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 7 crash / 4 fire / 6 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: Not rated by NHTSA
  • • EPA Certified Range: 16–25 MPG across 10 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Ford Transit?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Transit Connect Van 2WD 1.6L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 22 MPG 29 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Transit Connect Wagon FWD 1.6L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 22 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Transit Connect Van 2WD 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Transit Connect Van FFV 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Transit Connect Wagon FWD 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Transit Connect Wagon FFV 2.5L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Transit T150 Wagon FFV 3.7L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 14 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Transit T150 Wagon 3.5L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 15 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Ford Transit?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
VAN RWD —
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Ford Transit models.
View complete 2016 Ford Transit crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Ford Transit?

Summary of 154 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
154
Crash Reports
7
Fire Reports
4
Complaints w/ Injury
6
Total Injuries
7

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 49 complaints (2 crashes)
Engine 8 complaints
Structure & Body 7 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints (1 crash)
Seat Belts 5 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Ford Transit problems & component breakdown (54 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Ford Transit?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #25V572000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
NHTSA Campaign #21V631000 Active Recall
Affected Component: PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.
NHTSA Campaign #19V767000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Ford Transit recalls & campaign history (21 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Ford Transit

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Ford Transit

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit have?

The 2016 Ford Transit is associated with 21 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Ford Transit?

NHTSA records list 154 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Ford Transit. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 49 filings (32% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Is there an official NHTSA crash safety rating for the 2016 Ford Transit?

An official NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test rating is not available for the 2016 Ford Transit in AutoUtility's current federal dataset.

NHTSA publishes crash safety evaluations for a selected sample of passenger vehicles each model year. Consult NHTSA.gov for active safety equipment records and vehicle safety bulletins.

Source: NHTSA NCAP Registry

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Ford Transit get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Ford Transit range from 16 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.