AI Damage2016 Ford Transit: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford Transit filed 156 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 142 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 156
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 142
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 60 complaints (38% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Engine: 20 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Structure: 13 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Seat belts: 11 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 156 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 60 | 3 | 19 |
| Engine | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Structure | 13 | 1 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 1 | 36 |
| Seat belts | 11 | 1 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 27 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The backup camera and parking collision warning periodically do not work and this resulted in a collision with a parked car.
Rear view camera either goes out or is upside down. Went out so hit something. Luckily no real damage. Went to dealer and they said it’s not part of recall
The contact mentioned the seat belt retracking was unknown. The contact mentioned the vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train).
After partial recovery I examined the vehicle and saw that the seat belt anchor bolt over my shoulder had bulled out of the pillar behind my seat (not the floor). I was on a city street moving at about 45 mph. A truck turned in front of me and we collided head to head.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was unknown.
Due to financial constraints, the member wasn't replaced until recently at which point there were multiple locations that the decay was so severe that one could fit both hands through the voids created by the rust. I spoke numerous times with Ford customer care which quoted body, not frame, rust through warranties.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rubber transmission coupler had failed and needed to be upgraded to the metal version by the manufacturer.
The screen displayed a black screen or a blue screen. Occasionally, the back over prevention camera operated intermittently or displayed a message that the camera was currently unavailable.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 410 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Transit has 33 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 156, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles…
Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2L diesel engine may not pass a state smog test due to the exhaust gas system (EGS) monitor that…
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- All Transit accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Transit Vehicles Equipped With 3.2L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Temperature…
Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Transit Vehicles Equipped With 3.2L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor Replacement. In affected vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate with DTC…
- 2024-2024 Tranist- Keyless Entry Keypad and Master Code Retrieval
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in a plastic bag that is located in instrument…
NHTSA lists 142 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Transit?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, structure. Total complaints: 156. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), vibration (11%), stalls while driving (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford Transit?
NHTSA lists 142 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford Transit from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.