AI Damage2017 Ford Transit: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Ford Transit filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 129 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 98
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 129
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 41% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 4% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 40 complaints (41% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Engine: 16 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
- Vehicle speed control: 6 complaints (6% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
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 98 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 | 40 | 0 | 19 |
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 37 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 23 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The airbags did not deploy despite significant force. The car that ran the red light was small but the force was significant enough that she hit her head and sustained medically verified extreme whiplash.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact did sustain injuries. They did receive medical attention. The contact suffered a fractured left rib, a cut on the back of their head and left shoulder and back. The contact did have their three children in the vehicle with them. The children were not injured.
I slowed down as much as I could but hit at least at 40mph in which my air bags did not deploy..the truck I hit had both bags deploy but mines did not causing me to hit the steering wheel with my knees arm and torso..my seatbelts did not secure me from hitting these objects in the car as well..I have sustained full…
Seat belt did not work when vehicle was rear-ended. Bolt holding the seat belt harness came out of pillar and was found on the floor after the accident. The driver hit head on the steering wheel as a result.
I have a 2017 ford transit passenger van, and the seat belts slowly 1 by 1 are breaking at the release. I already replaced a couple but the other ones are doing the same thing. They will either not latch or they won't release and the individual will be trapped.
The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked at the residence. The contact was asleep and was alerted to the fire by the local authorities after a neighbor witnessed the fire and called the emergency services.
The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that DTC: P2002 was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced.
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).
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 593 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Transit has 33 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 98, 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
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
- Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles…
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
- 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…
NHTSA lists 129 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 2017 Ford Transit?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 98. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (12%), warning lights, check engine (12%), smoke, burning smell, fire (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Ford Transit?
NHTSA lists 129 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 2017 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 2017 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.