What are the problems faced by the owners of a Ford Transit? In this blog, we are going to highlight the issues you should keep an eye out for when you are in the market to buy a Ford transit. However, let’s first start with a quick answer.
The most common problem in Ford Transit is a loss of power that troubles the 2014-2016 models. Premature brake wear and driveshaft coupling failure problems are common in the 2015-2020 models. The AC is also prone to breaking down, and engine knocking problems are common in the 2016 model.
This is the most straightforward answer that we can give. In the article below, we’ll discuss every problem in detail. This includes identifying, fixing, and determining how much it costs to repair.
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1. Loss Of Power
Ford Transit is a popular cargo van and the first choice in the business of transporting and courier services. But its 2016 model had several faults that maligned its market reputation. Some owners have reported facing a constant loss of power in their Ford Transit while driving.
This issue is very problematic and causes an accident where you need quick or sudden power input to avoid being in a precarious situation – such as while overtaking on the highway or making a steep climb on the hills.
The most common cause of a loss of power is a clogged fuel and air filter (mainly caused by water leaks in 2015 – 2018 models); the filter prevents the entry of debris into the fuel system to increase the engine’s life. But the fuel filter gets clogged over time, which results in the poor flow of the fuel in the fuel system. In the same way, if the air filter gets clogged, the airflow in the fuel system gets affected, and the power of the vehicle drops when needed.
A clogged fuel injector is also a direct cause of loss of power. It hampers the fuel flow in the combustion chamber of the van engine, reducing the vehicle’s power. This issue has additional symptoms such as engine misfires, stalling, and fuel odor. See the video below for a visual explanation.
The symptoms to look out for are the Check Engine light turning on. If you observe the loss of power when trying to accelerate, then you should get your van checked by a nearby mechanic. The mechanic will most probably find the cause as there are many reasons for a Ford Transit losing power.
If you own a Ford Transit and are facing this issue, you should get ready to pay $370 to $1500, depending upon the cause of the problem.
2. Premature Brake Wear
Owners of Ford Transit have complained that their van brake wears prematurely. The brakes in question are the rear ones. The front brakes are excellent and can last up to 75,000 miles. The problem lies with the rear brake, as they become useless after 15,000 miles. This is a very concerning fault as the front brakes wear faster than the rear ones in almost every vehicle.
This problem is widespread in the recent Ford Transit models starting from 2015. Misaligned brake pads are the most common cause of the rear brake wearing out early. If they are not aligned, this can lead to one of the brakes suspiciously wearing out faster than the other.
The other most common reason is a malfunctioning caliper. The calipers have a habit of getting stuck, leaving the pads clamped to the rotors and wearing out the brake pads eventually.
The most common symptom of brake wear is brakes not working correctly or smelling a burning smell from the brakes. If you own a Ford Transit and have this issue, then you should get your van checked by a nearby mechanic. The typical cost of repair is $900.
3. Air Conditioners Don’t Work
As most Ford Transits are used for businesses, they have to cover long distances in extreme environments. Having subpar cooling for an air conditioner can not only be excruciatingly painful but can also leave you at risk of heat waves. The problem faced by the 2016 Ford Transit is that the van air conditioners won’t cool below 80 degrees.
The possible causes of the air conditioner not working correctly are many: Debris may clog the vents making your AC unable to give an ideal cooling effect. Another root of the problem is a short circuit that can prevent the working of the AC, which can also lead to a fire.
The defective compressor is the most common reason for a malfunctioning AC in a Ford Transit. Vehicle air conditioners have compressors to help with the circulation of the refrigerant. The malfunction of the compressor could make AC blow torrid air, which impedes the cooling process.
If you own a Ford Transit and have this issue, then fixing this issue will cost you around $896 to $1,129. If you are in the market to buy one, you should keep an eye out for this problem, or if you want to avoid it, service your car’s AC at regular intervals.
4. Driveshaft Coupling May Fail
Ford Transit is haunted by another issue that might result in engine failure. The problem lies with the driveshaft couplings. If the couplings fail, then the vehicle will come to a halt. The disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines making the whole van un-drivable.
The separate driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll when the vehicle is in the park gear, but the parking brake is not applied. These issues can lead to crashes or injuries. The main cause is the flexible compiling, which was prone to crack, creating driveline noise and vibration. Continued driving after the coupling cracks could lead to driveshaft separation, increasing the risk of a severe crash.
Ford has issued a recall under reference number 19S38. The company has also stated that couplings are strong enough to detach the driveline before 40,000 miles.
If you own a Ford Transit and are facing this issue, you should get your van checked from a nearby Ford dealership. The fix is free as all is covered by Ford. If you want to buy a used one, you should check with the seller first.
5. Bad Throttle Body
Another issue faced by the owners of Ford Transit is a bad throttle body. A bad throttle body can make your van run terribly. The throttle body controls the amount of air that enters the engine and is controlled by the position of the gas pedal. A poorly working throttle body does not offer the driving experience you should get when you floor the gas pedal.
Sometimes the throttle body is not faulty – it needs service and thorough cleaning. The cause is poor-quality fuel, due to which the throttle body becomes clogged with carbon particles. If not cleaned correctly or after a specific period, it can affect your van’s performance and damage the throttle body. For more information about the correct type of fuel for a Transit, read this article that we wrote earlier.
The symptom of this problem is the onset of the ‘Check Engine’ light. If your Ford Transit shows signs of a bad throttle body, then you should get it checked by a nearby mechanic. It will cost you $100-$231 depending upon the cause of the problem. Another precaution you can take is to use fuel of higher quality to avoid this issue.
6. Engine Knocking
An engine knocking sound is one of the most annoying and troublesome sounds you can hear from your Ford Transit. This sound can signify a significant problem related to the engine. But it can also be some minor problem that will be solved without significant work or spending money.
Causes of engine knocking are a lot, but the most common ones are a bad spark plug that goes bad after prolonged use, so changing it will solve the problem. Another common issue is the use of low-quality fuel, which has been the leading cause of engine knocking since the invention of the engine, so using good quality fuel will solve the problem.
The worst-case cause of this problem is worn and broken rod bearings between the crankshaft and piston. If they wear out, they will no longer be able to move smoothly. So the solution is a lower engine rebuild.
If the engine light comes up or you hear knocking sounds, you should get it checked by a nearby mechanic. It will cost you from $100-$2500, depending on the extent of the fix.
What Is The Worst Year For The Ford Transit?
Ford Transit is a durable and sturdy van with a decent market reputation. It will last you for a good 8-10 years if maintained properly. Ford Transit is one of the oldest cars in circulation. It has been around since 1965. Naturally, it has seen its share of problems.
The worst model year is the 2016 Ford Transit. This model year comes with the three most reported problems, AC not working, brake wear, and loss of power. This year also has the most recalls; still, several issues were not catered to by the parent company.
Even at its worst, the Ford Transit had several advanced features that other vans lacked. It has made his mark in the business community. It is also a low-cost maintained vehicle. The best year for the Ford Transit is 2020. This year has minor problems, and the latest generation has some of the best features Ford Transit has seen in its 58-year journey!
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!