Is the 2017 Ford TRANSIT reliable?

The 2017 Ford TRANSIT has 130 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ford TRANSIT?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (40 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (18 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (18 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Ford TRANSIT?

Yes, there are 18 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, SEATS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, SEATS, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Ford TRANSIT?

The 2017 Ford TRANSIT gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Ford TRANSIT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Ford TRANSIT is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Ford TRANSIT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ford TRANSIT has 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 74. The most common issue is transmission problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford transit. while driving unknown speeds, the 'transmission needs to be placed in park' warning message illuminated and the instrument panel was blank. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical failure. the mech. There are 18 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 injury

130

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

40 complaints

31%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE 'TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN PARK' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MECH
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PARTS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V408000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 17V668000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER (SUBURBAN FORD OF FERNDALE, 21600 WOODWARD AVE, FERNDALE, MI 48220, (248) 399-1000) WAS UNA
• NOISE IN REAR END, STARTED AT 30000 MILES. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING A CORNER. FORD RECALLED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH RECALL # 17S15 IN THEIR 2017 MODEL YEAR TRANSIT VANS. OF WHICH THIS IS ONE! THE PROBLEM IS THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE REAR END FAILS CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FALL OUT.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE 'TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN PARK' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MECH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Ford TRANSIT

Based on 67 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 106K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 38K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 57K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (18)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT21/02/2019

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the front driveshaft to detach.

Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle, drive power will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. The detached driveshaft may also create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash for following traffic.

Fix: XL will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft with an updated one, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact XL Hybrid's customer service at 1-833-953-5338.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Ford TRANSIT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ford TRANSIT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford TRANSIT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2017 TRANSIT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 130 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE 'TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN PARK' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MECH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WORK FOR NESTLE AND WE HAVE A 2107 FORD TRANSIT VAN. FIRST THE VAN SAID TO REPLACE EXHAUST FILTER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BRAND NEW. THE SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS WAS SO POWERFUL THEY MADE ME NAUSEATE AND LIGHT HEADED. THE SMELL WAS SO STRING IT STUCK ONTO MY CLOTHES. TIL THIS DAY THEY STILL HAVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, EXHAUST FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE CABIN. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FLOOR WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VELDE FORD (2200 N. 8TH ST, PEKIN, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SHO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEREO SPEAKER ABOVE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE, AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM TWO WIRES THAT RAN FROM THE SUBWOOFER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 18 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)