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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 154 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 21 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (49 / 32%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 7 crash / 4 fire / 6 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–25 MPG (10 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| 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.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| VAN RWD | Not Rated | | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
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 →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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) →
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.
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.
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) →