KnownCarProblems2017 Ford Transit Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Transit, most often about the transmission (41% of complaints, typically around 106,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Transit model year since 2000 and has 18 recalls.
Most common 2017 Ford Transit problems
Transmission
40 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact felt a vibration coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the vehicle with a damaged driveshaft that…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound underneath the floorboard. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was fluid puddling underneath the…
Engine
18 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and shuddered and jerked without warning. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The driver was informed that the…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact noticed that while at idle or when the vehicle was parked, he noticed exhaust fumes in the rear of the vehicle. The contactâs children who would ride in the rear seats of the van also noticed the smell of exhaust. The contact stated that no warning light was…
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 17%This is the second time our gas pedal has snapped and broke off when taking off/ accelerating. It has also seemed to develop some sort of stutter/bog/hesitation that seems to be linked with the communication from the gas pedal to the computer. Sometimes we will go ahead and pull on out into traffic and accelerate to…
The interior lights and navagation/radio system will not turn off. The door switch is faulty according to the dealership. The vehicle was assembled at the valencia final assembly plant. There are recalls for other Ford Transit vehicles for failing door switches. I am concerned for simular failures with the door switch…
Electrical
12 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: body control module/bcm.
The dash display would go completely blank intermittently, beginning with a chime and "low brake fluid" warning. All gauges would go to zero and there was no information displayed after a couple of seconds. This would occur while turning or accelerating. We took it to a Ford dealer who found multiple communication…
The right tail light seal isn't working, allowing moister in the light. This is corrupting the whole system. The radio, AC, running boards, field monitoring sensors, airbag system, all turn off and on while driving. My vehicle only has 38,000 miles on it. There a multiple complaints on youtube and other Ford websites…
Speed control
6 complaints · 6%This is the second time our gas pedal has snapped and broke off when taking off/ accelerating. It has also seemed to develop some sort of stutter/bog/hesitation that seems to be linked with the communication from the gas pedal to the computer. Sometimes we will go ahead and pull on out into traffic and accelerate to…
While driving the vehicle in a normal fashion, the accelerator pedal broke. Upon inspection of the part, it is evident the mechanism is comprised of plastic.
Brakes
5 complaints · 5%Break calibers hanging up in rear causing pre mature break pad wear and rotor damage. Caused breaks to wear down faster and rotors to get replaced.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact moved to the right lane, and there was an abnormal knocking noise detected. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact struck the curb, ran over the curb, and…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
Passenger side sliding door frequently comes off the hinges and latch does not hold the door shut. This vehicle has had the latch replaced two times in 2 months. When the vehicle is in motion, the doors slides open.
Fuel system
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: fuel filter.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit 250. The contact stated that the rear door occasionally failed to lock securely. The vehicle was taken to raceway Ford (701 s governor williams hwy, darlington, sc 29532, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the door lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however…
Our fleet of Ford transits are all having similar issues. This is the 2nd time this particular vehicle has lost power while driving causing extremely dangerous safety concerns. We were instructed by Ford to replace the throttle body which was done in 2021 and now the same issue is occurring. Ford needs to remedy this…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Ford Transit recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Brakes: linkage and cable
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: New england has notified owners, directing them to contact freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began may 27, 2019. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or new england at 1-800-886-9247.
Full defect summary
New england wheels (new england) is recalling certain 2014-2018 ford transit and 2014-2019 ram promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Fenton mobility will notify owners, and a fenton mobility technician will repair the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in june 2019. Owners may contact fenton mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014.
Full defect summary
Fenton mobility products, inc. (fenton mobility) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Mobilitytrans will notify owners and freedman seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began may 19, 2019. Owners may contact mobility transportation services customer service at 1-734-453-6452.
Full defect summary
Mobility transportation services (mobilitytrans) is recalling certain 2014-2018 ford transit and ram promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 ford econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Mobility specialists, working with ricon, has notified the owners. Ricon will provide instructions and materials for replacing defective parts. Owners may contact ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
Full defect summary
Mobility specialists, inc. (mobility specialists) is recalling certain 2014-2017 ford e-150 and transit vans modified to be equipped with ricon s-series and k-series wheel chair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Royale will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the seat. The recall began june 6, 2019. Owners may contact royale customer service at 1-800-544-5587.
Full defect summary
Cabot coach builders, inc. Dba royale limousine (royale) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit-based mini-coaches equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats recalled under 18e-076. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began march 25, 2019. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.
Full defect summary
Vantage mobility international, llc (vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit van, mercedes-benz sprinter, and 2007 ford f-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with freedman go-3s foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Transitworks has notified owners and instructed them to contact freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began december 19, 2019. Owners may contact freedman seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or transitworks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.
Full defect summary
Transitworks is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit, 2018 ford transit connect, and 2016 dodge ram promaster vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman seating go-es seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Quality van will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began march 21, 2019. Owners may contact quality van customer service at 1-800-408-8550.
Full defect summary
Quality van sales, inc. (quality van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit and e-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seat back cushions. The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Fenton will notify owners, and a service technician will install ricon recall parts kit ri61396, free of charge. The recall began april 24, 2019. Owners may contact fenton mobility customer service at 1-716-484-7014. Fenton's number for this recall is ri61396.
Full defect summary
Fenton mobility products, inc. (fenton) is recalling certain 2015-2017 ford transit passenger vans modified to be equipped with ricon s & k titanium wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 403, "platform lift systems."
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Prime-time specialty vehicles has notified owners, and freedman dealers have inspected and repaired the foldaway seats, free of charge. The recall began november 16, 2018. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or prime-time specialty vehicles at 1-574-293-9191.
Full defect summary
Prime-time specialty vehicles (prime-time) is recalling certain 2016-2018 ram promaster and ford transit vehicles modified to be equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats. When the seat back cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.
Fix: Xl will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began april 15, 2019. Owners may contact xl hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: National van will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began november 26, 2018. Owners may contact national van customer service at 1-508-222-2272.
Full defect summary
National van builders, inc. (national van) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ford transit vehicles equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Electrical: wiring
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Note: this is an expansion of recall 17v-668 (ford recall 17s34). Ford's number for this recall expansion is 17s34-s1.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 ford transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on february 9, 2018. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17s34.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 ford transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed july 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17s15.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Zipcar rental concerns
Summary
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 nhtsaâs inquiry, including information provided by zipcar, NHTSA asserted that, during 2017 and 2018, zipcar rented certain unremedied recalled vehicles in violation of the safety act. In october 2023, NHTSA and zipcar entered into a consent order in which zipcar agreed to pay a total civil penalty of $300,000. The total civ
Questions about the 2017 Ford Transit
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Transit?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (40 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles); other or unspecified (17 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Transit have?
- 18 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 3, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Ford Transit?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Transit model year since 2000, with 98 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.