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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-FORD-TRANSIT NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2017 · Ford

Ford Transit problems

95 owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Transit?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
37 reports · fails ~96,872 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
8 reports · fails ~56,869 mi · avg $850
severe
body
4 reports · fails ~33,000 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
engine
4 reports · fails ~48,500 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
4 reports · fails ~47,216 mi · avg $700
moderate
airbags
3 reports · fails ~41,284 mi · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
3 reports · fails ~108,000 mi · avg $450
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 Transit's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 Transit?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Transit · powertrain
When driving my transit 250 it vibrates a lot and I was told that the transmission is going out. After I researched I find that this is a common problem with this Ford vehicle. It cost about $4000 to fit and Ford is not helping customers with their vehicle. Why is there no…
2017 Transit · lighting
The interior lights and navagation/radio system will not turn off. The door switch is faulty according to the dealership. The vehicle was assembled at the valencia final assembly plant. There are recalls for other Ford transit vehicles for failing door switches. I am concerned…
12/13/2018 · at 50,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11161104.0
2017 Transit · brakes
Break calibers hanging up in rear causing pre mature break pad wear and rotor damage. Caused breaks to wear down faster and rotors to get replaced.
12/04/2018 · at 38,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11156034.0 · see brakes pattern →
2017 Transit · steering
This is the second time our gas pedal has snapped and broke off when taking off/ accelerating. It has also seemed to develop some sort of stutter/bog/hesitation that seems to be linked with the communication from the gas pedal to the computer. Sometimes we will go ahead and pull…
12/03/2018 · at 9,865 mi · NHTSA ODI #11155637.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 95 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 Ford Transit? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 6

severe NHTSA 18V275000 April 30, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module

An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Note: This is an expansion of recall 17V-668 (Ford recall 17S34). Ford's number for this recall expansion is 17S34-S1.
severe NHTSA 17V408000 June 26, 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling all 2015-2017 Transit vehicles except 156" and 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies

If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge. Interim notifications informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S15.
severe NHTSA 19V767000 October 25, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Transit vehicles

If the coupling fails, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power and the disconnected driveshaft may impact and damage the brake and fuel lines. Additionally, the separated driveshaft may allow the vehicle to roll if the vehicle is exited when the transmission is in 'Park' but the parking brake is not applied. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will replace the flexible coupling every 40,000 miles until the final remedy is available. The final remedy will consist of installation of a driveshaft front section equipped with a mechanical u-joint in place of the flexible coupling. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S38. Note: This recall supersedes recall number 17V-408.
View all 6 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Transit reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Ford Transit has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2017 Ford Transit?

The 2017 Ford Transit is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Ford Transit?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,872 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 96,872 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Transit has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Ford Transit?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 95 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/Transit. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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