2016 Ford Transit transmission and drivetrain problems
60 of the 156 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Transit name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 32 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 60 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 5
Half of the 39 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 92,000 and 130,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
156 complaints in all about the 2016 Ford Transit, 5 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Transit transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Dealer performed recall 17s15 driveshaft assy that replaced the rear driveshaft coupling. At the time, the front driveshaft coupling was observed to be loose. The front coupling was inspected and reassembled.
Drive train rubber coupling failure 104000 miles. Prior installation of coupling at 70,000 miles. This occurrence damaged drive shaft and coupling at rear of transmission
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. While driving approximately 60 MPH, an unusual noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the driveshaft had split in two without warning. The vehicle skidded as it was pulled off the road.
2016 Ford Transit wagon had a faulty part near the transmission that was repaired under recall warranty. However, when the parts failed, it damaged the transmission case and caused the oil's to leak out. We were given the ok to get back on the road, but now the torque converter in transmission is damaged.
We are a transportation company . And have bought 4 of these vehicles regretfully we are so overwhelmed with all the issues they have had , a number of major issues like speed sensors going bad throttle body have been replaced transmission replacement with only 60,000 driven... Loss of power while on the road you name it.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 19V767000 HighOct 25, 2019 · 293,558 vehicles
- 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.
- 19V103000 HighFeb 21, 2019 · 174 vehicles
- XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
- 17V408000 HighJun 26, 2017 · 372,991 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
NHTSA investigation
- AQ18001 Zipcar Rental Concernsopened Apr 2, 2018 · closed Sep 25, 2024
- NHTSA opened this audit query to determine whether Zipcar, Inc. (Zipcar) complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental car company not rent, lease, or sell a recalled vehicle until the safety defect or noncompliance is remedied. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i). Based on NHTSA’s inquiry, including in…
32 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 55098 Service bulletinAug 18, 2026
- 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 will not run after completing the exhaust gas sensor drive cycle located within Section 2 of the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnostics (PC/ED) Manual > Drive Cycles. This may be due
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P206C P0011 P0015 P0016 P0017 P0018 P0019 P0021
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Ford Transit names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Ford Transit?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 60 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (38% of everything owners filed about it), and 32 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Ford Transit?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 19V767000, 19V103000, 17V408000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Ford Transit?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 105,000 miles; half of them between 92,000 and 130,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.