Is the 2017 Ford Transit reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Ford Transit is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Transit?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Transit have?

18 recalls on file for this model year.

2017 Ford Transit

◆ Worse than typical

2017 Ford Transit
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:50:59.095Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 98
Recalls: 18
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

2017: 98 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	1
2014	3
2015	192
2016	155
2017	98
2018	57
2019	37
2020	84
2021	24
2022	39
2023	60
2024	28
2025	4
2026	5
2027	0

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

41% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing driveshaft and torque converter.

Engine

16% · 16 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle loses ability to control acceleration going into a "limp" mode while on the highway. This poses a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger and all other drivers on the road. The van has to "coast" to safety.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

12% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing body control module/bcm.

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked at the residence.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-04

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the front of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-25

Vehicle speed control

6% · 6 reports

Service brakes

5% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

18 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2017Complaint volume 98 complaints filed for this model year.
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2018-02-09Electrical system17V668000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-04-02Audit queryClosed 2024-09-25 Zipcar Rental Concerns
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2018-05-18Electrical system18V275000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-06-20Power train17V408000 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles.

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2018-11-16Seats19V332000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2018-11-26Seats18V782000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-03-21Seats19V205000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-03-25Seats19V238000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-04-15Power train19V103000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-04-24Equipment adaptive/mobility19V183000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-05-27Seats19V333000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-06-06Seats19V247000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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2019-12-19Seats19V229000 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.

Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019.

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2020-04-01Power train19V767000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles.

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.

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2020-05-19Seats19V313000 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,...

Remedy: 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.

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2022-03-14Parking brake21V631000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles.

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.

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2026-01-13Back over prevention25V572000 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...

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.

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Date not on fileEquipment adaptive/mobility19V271000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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Date not on fileSeats19V329000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Ford Transit — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 40 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 16 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 19V271000 · Equipment adaptive/mobility
Recall 19V329000 · Seats
Recall 17V668000 · Electrical system
Recall 18V275000 · Electrical system
Recall 17V408000 · Power train
Recall 19V332000 · Seats
Recall 18V782000 · Seats
Recall 19V205000 · Seats
Recall 19V238000 · Seats
Recall 19V103000 · Power train
Recall 19V183000 · Equipment adaptive/mobility
Recall 19V333000 · Seats
Recall 19V247000 · Seats
Recall 19V229000 · Seats
Recall 19V767000 · Power train
Recall 19V313000 · Seats
Recall 21V631000 · Parking brake
Recall 25V572000 · Back over prevention

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2017 Ford Transit reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Ford Transit is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Transit?: The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Transit have?: 18 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.