2016 Ford Transit · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 33owner reports
- 105,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
60 of the 155 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 33 of those describe drivetrain problems, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Transit.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
Drivetrain problems on other Transit years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the driveshaft (30 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
This recall includes all full-size Transit vehicles previously recalled under 17V-408 except ones that received mechanical universal joint (u-joint) as a remedy and any 156" or 178" wheelbase Chassis Cab and Cut-Away bodies models.
The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.
In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
All 21 recalls on the 2016 Ford Transit, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Transit
Zipcar rental concerns. Closed sep 25, 2024.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 86,000 and 142,612 miles, from the 22 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford Transit that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2015-2024 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel (only), and U-joints at the transmission flange and rear driveshaft may experience a boom/hum/moan noise from the rear while driving.
Some 2015-2023 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel (only), and U-joints at the transmission flange and rear driveshaft may experience a boom/hum/moan noise from the rear while driving.
Some 2015-2022 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel (only), and U-joints at the transmission flange and rear driveshaft may experience a boom/hum/moan noise from the rear while driving.
Some 20152022 Transit vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive (RWD), single rear wheel only, and a U-joint at the transmission flange and rear driveshaft may experience a boom/hum/moan noise or vibration from the rear while driving.
3 more on the 2016 Ford Transit page.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Jul 29, 2025 · 57,000 miles
“Had driveshaft parts replaced on recall. After recall, driveshaft produced an obtrusive rpm-proportional grinding noise, especially on acceleration or slow turns.”
Filed Feb 25, 2024
“My ford van has vibrations between 20-40 miles. Many other ford transits has recalls for this. The issues is with the drive shaft and the drive shaft yoke.”
Filed Dec 6, 2023
“The driveshaft carriage bearing that connects the two driveshafts together. The center of the carriage bearing is deteriorating and causing a bad vibrations. This has progressively gotten worse and now can feel the vibrations at any speed.”
Filed May 1, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 33 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works