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
17 recalls · 124 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 179
17 recalls · 104 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 173
15 recalls · 56 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 115
Best Ford Transit Years to Buy
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 5
2 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 9
3 recalls · 23 complaints
Main area: WHEELS
Problem score: 32
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 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 8 | 13 | 1 | — | 39 | Good |
| 2023 | 14 | 32 | — | — | 74 | Caution |
| 2022 | 12 | 38 | — | — | 74 | Caution |
| 2021 | 3 | 23 | — | — | 32 | Good |
| 2020 | 8 | 46 | 4 | — | 78 | Caution |
| 2019 | 8 | 26 | — | — | 50 | Good |
| 2018 | 13 | 50 | 9 | — | 107 | Caution |
| 2017 | 15 | 56 | 7 | — | 115 | Caution |
| 2016 | 17 | 104 | 9 | — | 173 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 17 | 124 | 2 | — | 179 | 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 17 recalls, 124 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 179 — 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.
Run a Free VIN Report →