Ford Transit Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Transit model year (2015–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Transit Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 123 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 142
6 recalls · 99 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 135
6 recalls · 55 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 87
Best Ford Transit Years to Buy
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 5
3 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Problem score: 11
0 recalls · 20 complaints
Main area: WHEELS
Problem score: 20
Found the right year? Verify that specific Transit with a free VIN report.
Ford Transit — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 5 | 13 | 1 | — | 30 | Good |
| 2023 | 6 | 27 | — | — | 45 | Good |
| 2022 | 7 | 35 | — | — | 56 | Caution |
| 2021 | 0 | 20 | — | — | 20 | Good |
| 2020 | 4 | 44 | 4 | — | 64 | Caution |
| 2019 | 4 | 22 | — | — | 34 | Good |
| 2018 | 6 | 48 | 9 | — | 84 | Caution |
| 2017 | 6 | 55 | 7 | — | 87 | Caution |
| 2016 | 6 | 99 | 9 | — | 135 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 5 | 123 | 2 | — | 142 | Avoid |
All 12 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Transit Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Transit models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 5 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Transit units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Transit should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2015 Ford Transit if possible. It has 5 recalls, 123 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 142 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Transit to buy?+
The 2026 Ford Transit is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 5. It has only 0 recalls and 5 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Transit has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2021 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Transit Research
Check a Specific Ford Transit VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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