Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles manufactured February 13, 2014, to January 13, 2016 and equipped with rear passenger seats
An unlatched seat belt increases the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify or replace the seat belt buckles, depending on their location in the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S06.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering seatbelts on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinSSM 51907Sep 2023
Some 2015-2023 Transit vehicles may exhibit front seat safety belts that do not extend or retract properly or may exhibit an abnormal noise. Verify if the vehicle has been modified, in particular if a bulkhead partition between the front seats and cargo area has been added to the vehicle. Fasteners or holes in the lower b-pillar are indicators that the seat belt retractor mechanism could have been compromised. If diagnostics lead to retractor replacement, inspect for drill or screw holes in the retractor housing. Damage to the seat belt retractor caused by a vehicle modifier is not warrantable.
Some 2015-2022 Transit vehicles may exhibit front seat safety belts that do not extend or retract properly or may exhibit an abnormal noise. Verify if the vehicle has been modified, in particular if a bulkhead partition between the front seats and cargo area has been added to the vehicle. Fasteners or holes in the lower b-pillar are indicators that the seat belt retractor mechanism could have been compromised. If diagnostics lead to retractor replacement, inspect for drill or screw holes in the retractor housing. Damage to the seat belt retractor caused by a vehicle modifier is not warrantable.
Some 2015-2021 Transit vehicles may exhibit front seat safety belts that do not extend or retract properly or may exhibit an abnormal noise. Verify if the vehicle has been modified, in particular if a bulkhead partition between the front seats and cargo area has been added to the vehicle. Fasteners or holes in the lower b-pillar are indicators that the seat belt retractor mechanism could have been compromised. If diagnostics lead to retractor replacement, inspect for drill or screw holes in the retractor housing. Damage to the seat belt retractor caused by a vehicle modifier is not warrantable.
Some 2015-2019 Transit vehicles may exhibit front seat safety belts that do not extend or retract properly or may exhibit an abnormal noise. Verify if the vehicle has been modified, in particular if a bulkhead partition between the front seats and cargo area has been added to the vehicle. Fasteners or holes in the lower b-pillar are indicators that the seat belt retractor mechanism could have been compromised. If diagnostics lead to retractor replacement, inspect for drill or screw holes in the retractor housing. Damage to the seat belt retractor caused by a vehicle modifier is not warrantable.
Some 2015-2018 Transit vehicles may exhibit front seat safety belts that do not extend or retract properly or may exhibit an abnormal noise. Verify if the vehicle has been modified, in particular if a bulkhead partition between the front seats and cargo area has been added to the vehicle. Fasteners or holes in the lower b-pillar are indicators that the seat belt retractor mechanism could have been compromised. If diagnostics lead to retractor replacement, inspect for drill or screw holes in the retractor housing. Damage to the seat belt retractor caused by a vehicle modifier is not warrantable.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
0 most recent
Had seatbelts trouble with your 2016 Ford Transit?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the seatbelts problem on the 2016 Ford Transit?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $500.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, seatbelts issues most often appear around 45,451 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $500 for seatbelts repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to seatbelts?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover seatbelts issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Ford/Transit.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.