VehicleVerdict

2019 Ford Transit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2019 Ford Transit is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 44 owner complaints run below the Transit median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), brakes (7), and other (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

44

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other Transit years?

Transit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted267 complaints2001: 1 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 267 complaints2016: 208 complaints2017: 130 complaints2018: 74 complaints2019: 44 complaints2020: 105 complaints2021: 32 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 74 complaints2024: 35 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Transit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Ford Transit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System716%
Other716%
Brakes716%
Speed Control49%
Transmission37%
Body & Structure37%
Seat Belts37%
Steering25%
Engine25%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%
Seats12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2019 Ford Transit have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

25V572000Driver AssistanceSeptember 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. 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.

21V631000BrakesAugust 11, 2021 · 30 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. 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.

21V324000SuspensionMay 7, 2021 · 2,503 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Transit T150, T250, T350 vehicles equipped with aluminum alloy wheels. The wheel mounting surface of the axle flange may be warped and cause the wheel studs to fracture.

Consequence

Fractured studs may allow the wheel to detach, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the rear axle shaft assembly, axle shaft mounting bolts, and rear wheel lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S21.

20V250000Seat BeltsMay 5, 2020 · 5 units

Defect

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van Builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit and 2019 Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

National Van Builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or National Van Builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.

20V222000Seat BeltsApril 20, 2020 · 205 units

Defect

TransitWorks is recalling certain Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

TransitWorks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2020. Dealers can contact Freedman Seating Company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.

19V439000Body & StructureJune 11, 2019 · 15 units

Defect

LA West Inc. (LA West) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.

Consequence

If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.

19V229000SeatsMarch 22, 2019 · 776 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

19V103000TransmissionFebruary 21, 2019 · 174 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

BOUGHT USED 2019 FORD TRANSIT 350 FROM SARASOTA FORD IN FLA.7 TIMES THE IGNITION LOCKED UP TOOK TO DEALER TWICE COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.BROUGHT HOME ON 9/29 HAPPENED ON 9/30 AS I WAS LEAVING CAPE CORAL VA CLINIC.MY WIFE IS A WITNESS.AM AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE NOT KNOWING IF TRUCK WILL START.HAD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 9, 2020

The contact's neighbor owned a 2019 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds to the end of his street in the cul-de-sac. The brakes were sticking. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. A neighbor walking her dog alerted him about an abnormal…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 31, 2023 · crash

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,342, and at the time of…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 28, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER A 2019 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT WHO WAS A TEXAS HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER, STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FASTER THAN THE DRIVER INTENDED AND REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 15, 2019 · crash

THE PLASTIC HOLDING THE HOOD PROP ROD BROKE WHILE THE HOOD WAS UP CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME CRASHING DOWN. I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE ROD. LUCKILY I WAS NOT LEANING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE TIME. I WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS INJURIES IF IT HAD COME DOWN ON MY HEAD AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 1, 2021

2019 Ford Transit — common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Transit reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit: 44 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2019 Transit problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), brakes (7 complaints), other (7 complaints).

Does the 2019 Ford Transit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Ford Transit. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Transit years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Transit years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2023. The cleanest record among Transit years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.