2020 Ford TRANSIT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford TRANSIT has 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is seats/restraints problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: noticed that a pump (fuel???) was cycling on when driver door was opened and when key was inserted in ignition. parking lights also turn on when door is opened. the pump has also cycled on for no apparent reason after engine has been turned off. checked battery which is located under driver seat and. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 4 injuries

104

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

27 complaints

26%

• NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND
• UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO 11302124 DATED 2/26/2020 SPOKE WITH FORD CUST SERVICE REP REGARDING THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SEAT AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE ISSUES ON 2/12/2020. THE SERVICE TECH VERIFIED THAT THE WIRE BUNDLE IS BEIN
• I bought this vehicle in Sept 2020 and have had this issue since day one. The drivers seat creates a bulge about half-way up the seat back when the seat warms up either with the heated seat feature or sunlight and pushes me forward out of the safety of the side seat bolsters. The passenger seat does

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

“NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

17 complaints

16%

• WHEN STARTING THE CAR, I HEAR POPPING NOISES SOUNDING LIKE A SPARK PLUG AND OR A TAP/POP NOISE. I HEAR THE NOISE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS DURING STARTUP, DRIVING, AND AT IDLE.
• DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER IT STARTED MAKING WHINING NOISE, THEN GEAR SHIFTED AND VEHICLE SKID. STARTED MAKING LIGHT GRINDING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. AFTER COOLING, VAN WOULD SHIFT GEARS BUT NOT MOVE, INCLUDING REVERSE. TOOK TO DEALERSHI
• Driving 30 MPH engine starting revving up to 4000rpm and very loud! Stalled out and wouldn't start, 3 times during a 5 minute drive.

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

“WHEN STARTING THE CAR, I HEAR POPPING NOISES SOUNDING LIKE A SPARK PLUG AND OR A TAP/POP NOISE. I HEAR THE NOISE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS DURING STARTUP, DRIVING, AND AT IDLE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

14 complaints

13%

• NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND
• UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO 11302124 DATED 2/26/2020 SPOKE WITH FORD CUST SERVICE REP REGARDING THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SEAT AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE ISSUES ON 2/12/2020. THE SERVICE TECH VERIFIED THAT THE WIRE BUNDLE IS BEIN
• UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO 11302124 DATED 2/26/2020 SPOKE WITH FORD CUST SERVICE REP REGARDING THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SEAT AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE ISSUES ON 2/12/2020. THE SERVICE TECH VERIFIED THAT THE WIRE BUNDLE IS BEIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

7 complaints

• KEYS ARE BREAKING OFF FROM THE ACTUAL REMOTE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AT LEAST 5 OTHER VANS AS WELL AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT DELIVER AMAZON PACKAGES. THERE ARE WELL OVER 20 TO 30 VANS THAT THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING TO.
• WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH IN NO TRAFFIC, WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE CRASH BREAKING NOT AVAILABLE. APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. WE HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART IT THERE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A BUG ON THE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK
• PURCHASED NEW AWD AND NOTICED VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE WHEEL WELL COVERS, I PURCHASED THE AWD BECAUSE I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD AND WANT TO TAKE OUT ON UNPAVED ROADS, I'VE NOTICED THE AREA HAS COLLECTED LARGE AMOUNTS OF DIRT AND ROCKS. IF I'M DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY A BIG CHUCK COULD FLY OUT AND POSSIBLY DAM

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

“KEYS ARE BREAKING OFF FROM THE ACTUAL REMOTE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AT LEAST 5 OTHER VANS AS WELL AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT DELIVER AMAZON PACKAGES. THERE ARE WELL OVER 20 TO 30 VANS THAT THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING TO.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

6 complaints

• UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY A STEERING ASSIST WARNING SHOWED IN THE VEHICLE INFORMATION AREA. IT WAS STATIONARY. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. NEXT DAY STARTED VEHICLE WITHOUT STEERING ASSIST WARNING APPEARING AND THE POWER
• SINCE PURCHASING THE VAN, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS OCCASIONALLY FELT SLUGGISH AND HEAVIER TO TURN AT CERTAIN TIMES THAN OTHERS. THE FINAL TIME IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND FELT ALMOST LOCKED, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE AT RANDOM TIMES AN
• 2020 FORD TRANSIT HIGH ROOF.UPON STARTING VAN 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED'MESSAGE CAME UP.STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT.WAITING ABOUT 5 MINUTES MESSAGE WAS GONE.VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES

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

“UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY A STEERING ASSIST WARNING SHOWED IN THE VEHICLE INFORMATION AREA. IT WAS STATIONARY. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. NEXT DAY STARTED VEHICLE WITHOUT STEERING ASSIST WARNING APPEARING AND THE POWER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 104 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN STARTING THE CAR, I HEAR POPPING NOISES SOUNDING LIKE A SPARK PLUG AND OR A TAP/POP NOISE. I HEAR THE NOISE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS DURING STARTUP, DRIVING, AND AT IDLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: KEYS ARE BREAKING OFF FROM THE ACTUAL REMOTE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE STUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AT LEAST 5 OTHER VANS AS WELL AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT DELIVER AMAZON PACKAGES. THERE ARE WELL OVER 20 TO 30 VANS THAT THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING TO.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)