Ford Transit years to avoid
The Ford Transit years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2023 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2001 is the cleanest year on record.
1,065
Total complaints
64
Recall campaigns
2001–2026
Years covered
6
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Transit years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 270 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 212 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 133 | |
| 2020 | High complaints + open investigation | 106 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 77 | |
| 2023 | High complaint rate | 77 |
Every Transit year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2024 | 41 | 10 | |
| 2023avoid | 77 | 18 | |
| 2022 | 54 | 16 | |
| 2021 | 32 | 4 | |
| 2020avoid | 106 | 9 | |
| 2019 | 47 | 9 | |
| 2018avoid | 77 | 14 | |
| 2017avoid | 133 | 18 | |
| 2016avoid | 212 | 21 | |
| 2015avoid | 270 | 26 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Ford Transit years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Transit years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2023. The cleanest year on record is 2001.
What is the best year for the Ford Transit?
By complaint volume, 2001 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Transit years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Ford Transit have?
Across all model years, the Transit has 64 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,065 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.