2016 Ford Transit Powertrain & Transmission Problems

Recall Number: 19S38 (Ford Transit Driveshaft Flexible Coupling) Subject: Inaccurate Recall Reporting Statement of Fact: I am reporting a discrepancy between physical vehicle evidence and official dealership records regarding the completion of Safety Recall 19S38. Conflicting Records: On April 8, 2026, Crossroads Ford of Apex issued Invoice #XXX stating the recall was performed with parts CK4Z-4602-N , CK4Z-4421-F , CK4Z-4635-A , and JK4Z-5A669-A. However, on April 14, 2026, the Service Manager issued a "corrected" Invoice (#XXX) stating: "No parts were installed for Recall 19S38." Physical Evidence: A video documented physical inspection of the vehicle on April 15, 2026, confirms that all recall-specific parts are currently installed on the vehicle and they appear in new condition. The dealership’s written denial of the April 8 recall repair appears intended to avoid refunding a $6,394.33 retail repair for the same components, which was performed while Safety Recall 19S38 was active and unaddressed. Implications: The dealership has issued a formal written denial of a safety repair that is currently physically present on the vehicle. This falsifies the safety maintenance history of the vehicle and misrepresents the status of the safety remedy to federal authorities. Physical Documentation: The following link is an unlisted video documentation of the physical parts currently installed on the vehicle (VIN [XXX] ). It is provided for regulatory investigation purposes only: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine revved, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was turned off; however, while the contact's wife was attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while his wife was driving with children inside the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was associated with an unrepaired recall. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train). The VIN was associated with the recall. The dealer submitted the repair request to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was file,d but the repair was denied. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact then submitted a copy of the recall to the manufacturer and was informed that the repair was not covered because the recall was not performed in the required time frame. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was slowly driven to the local mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the driveshaft coupling had failed and needed to be replaced. The driveshaft coupling was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, months later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.

The car has the same problem it had before the recall. The dealer who supposedly fixed it says it's no longer under the recall warranty.

Summary of Complaint: The brake lines on my vehicle failed at highway speed (75 mph on I-65) while my wife and eight children were inside. This sudden failure created an extremely dangerous, life-threatening situation. Fortunately, we were able to avoid a crash, but this could easily have caused multiple fatalities. Details: We purchased this vehicle used at approximately 60,000 miles. I was never notified by Ford, the dealership, or NHTSA/DMV of any requirement for interim recall repairs every 40,000 miles. During a service at Antioch Ford, I was told there was an open recall but that parts were unavailable. I was never contacted again by Ford or the dealership with instructions to remedy the defect. Ford has since confirmed in writing that the recall requires interim repairs every 40,000 miles but claims they will not assist financially since my vehicle has not had those interim repairs. As a second owner, I had no knowledge of this requirement because I never received recall letters or notices. Safety Concern: This is a serious safety defect that nearly caused catastrophic injury or death to my family. The manufacturer has acknowledged the recall but is refusing assistance, citing “policy,” even though I was never notified of the required interim repairs. Ford has also attempted to close my case as “inactive” without resolution. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Ford’s handling of this recall, specifically: Whether Ford properly notified subsequent owners about interim recall repair requirements. Whether Ford should be compelled to remedy this defect at no cost, given the severity and risk to public safety.

Ford automotive previously repaired the flexible driveshaft coupling, on my vehicle at about 57k miles, under recall 19S38. That exact same part failed prematurely, yesterday, at about 110k miles. I just contacted Ford and they said it was a permanent fix and no further recalls have been issued.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D), and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was severed in two and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Recurring Intermittent abrupt downshifting to first gear at highway speeds.

DRIVING DOWN THE HWYWAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL KICK OUT OF SIXTH GEAR . SOMETIMES IT GOES TO FIFTH. SOMETIMES IT GOES TO FORTH. SOMETIMES IT JUST DISCONNECTS. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM YOU Are reporting on with the F150. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AND THE SAME MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION AS THE F150 BUT I HAVE THE TRANSIT VAN T350. WHEN IT DOES THIS IT SAYS MOTOR FAILURE ON THE DASH, SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. BUT IT IS NOT THE MOTOR. THE MOTOR IS RUNNING FINE. IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENS EVERY 30 TO 70 MILES OF DRIVING FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WILL FORD FIX IT OR DO I HAVE TO.

Failed Reductant Heater, poor SCR performance (requiring a new SCR) and EGR failure at 8 years, 132k miles

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while an employee was driving above 15 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with loud clanking sounds. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who determined that the driveshaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced on three separate occasions which included under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train), but the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

driveshaft coupler failed Ford refuses to fix damaged parts from coupler failure. Received notice of safety recall 10-25-2023. Recall was issued 10-25-2019 but I was never notified of a recall. (recall notices are sent by mail) once recall notice was received 10-25-2023 I tried countless times to have recall done but parts were never available. Finally took to the dealer and had them place the part on order (backorder) to be filled when available on/or around 1-2024. Failure happened 4-18-2024 with the recall part still on backorder damaging all brake lines and fuel lines all at the same time. This part should have been available when the vehicle was taken to the dealership for repair in Jan. 2024 and fixed. Not until a Failure happens that could of cost the lives of X-people on a highway due to parts not being available for a Major recall like this one.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact had received a recall notification and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the flexible coupling was replaced as an interim repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train). The contact stated while an employee was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was related NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the mechanic attempted to order the part from the manufacturer, but the manufacturer informed the mechanic that only an authorized dealer could perform the repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driveshaft assembly and other unknown parts had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a claim to the manufacturer for the repair; however, the manufacturer informed the dealer that they could not cover the repair of the vehicle because the flexible coupling was not replaced after another 40,000 miles, which resulted in the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Transmission Failed. It shifts when it should'nt on interstate downshifts and could cause a accident, took it to the dealership. Please read below Ford Dealership diagnostics. CUSTOMER STATES TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WHEN IT SHOULDNT”’TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED ERROR MESSAGE SHOWS UP ON DASH PLEASE intermitent light when acts up. Ford Dealership DIAGNOSE-- AND ADVISE. CAUSE: TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR/ LEADFRAME DIAGNOSTICS AND TESTING" VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN PULLED DTCS P0707 TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW, P01702 TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT . . - INTERMITTENT, P1921 TRANSMISSION RANGE SIGNAL, P0706 TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE, P0707 TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR ' CIRCUIT LOW,_P0316 MISFIRE DETECTED ON START UP, PERFORMED TESTING LOAD TESTED CIRCUITS FOR TRANSMISSION RANGE WIRING BACK TO THE PCM, ALL ' CIRCUITS PASSED, INTERNAL ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR/- TOTAL 3159.99 MOLDED LEADFRAME, QUOTED REPLACEMENT CUSTOMER DECLINED -REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. Also found all kinds of complaints about this transmission on internet and recalls but my VIN does not qualify for the recall.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with driveshaft failure. The dealer determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer, who then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

On 17 November, 2023, at approximately 12 PM, I was traveling down the highway at approximately 55 mph. I suddenly heard a loud pop coming from directly under the cab and a subsequent rattling. It lasted for about 15 seconds, went away, and then lasted for another five seconds before completely stopping. Upon parking the vehicle, I crawled underneath and noticed that the flex coupling between the transmission and drive axle was missing two big chunks, and it appeared that a part of that material was lodged into the fire wall above the transmission underneath the floorboard. Also, present was a lot of strands of fiberglass from the coupling material. I immediately searched the Internet for some information regarding this and came upon an active recall that was published in 2019 for certain Ford transits manufactured 2015 to 2017. My vehicle is a 2016 Ford transit 250. It is my belief that this coupling issue that Ford published for recalls was not caught on my vehicle, and I have a concern that my vehicle may have fallen under that safety recall. Would like to know if an inspection could be done and some research to determine if my vehicle, in fact, falls within that recall.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was towed to the office and then towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft, brakes, and fuel lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 142,612.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from an unknown location prompting her to attempt to slow the vehicle after which she became aware that the brake was not functioning properly. The contact stated that with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard the vehicle failed to slow as intended; violently coming to a complete stop on the shoulder of the roadway where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the driveshaft assembly had failed, damaging the brake lines, resulting in a loss of the hydraulic brake functionality. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V767000 (Power Train), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Had driveshaft parts replaced on recall. After recall, driveshaft produced an obtrusive rpm-proportional grinding noise, especially on acceleration or slow turns.