2016 Ford Transit Brakes Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11683147

Incident

Aug 23, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11597015

Incident

Apr 18, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11550860

Incident

Oct 9, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

The involved individual was found with altered mental status on a highway on 8/13/2023. The vehicle he had been driving was found in the highway median a few hundred feet away. He was admitted to a local hospital, diagnosed with blunt force injuries of the head, and pronounced brain dead on 8/14/2023. Autopsy examination revealed fractures of the skull, subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral cortical contusions. Mechanical vehicle inspection revealed that the driveshaft flexible joint failed while the vehicle was in motion, with resulting driveshaft uncoupling and severe damage to surrounding vehicle components including the brake and fuel lines. Investigation was consistent with the decedent exiting the moving motor vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11549353

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, but no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the brake cable line had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11529331

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V631000 (Parking Brake) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall and the dealer informed the contact that upon inspection, the driveshaft was cracked however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they did not know when parts for the recall repair would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11430326

Incident

May 1, 2021

Mileage

230,000 mi

THE DRIVELINE BROKER FROM IT'S HOLDING MOUNT WHILE DRIVING AND TANGLED UP THE FUEL LINE AND BRAKE LINES GOING TO THE REAR OF THE VAN. MAKING THE VAN LOSE POWER AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ALSO THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE REAR FLEX JOINT WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS RECOGNIZED BUT ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE TOTAL REPAIR. HOW IS THAT FAIR? IT IS FORD'S DESIGN FLAW THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11374856

Incident

Sep 26, 2020

Mileage

148,000 mi

THE ABS TONE RINGS ON THE FORD TRANSIT VANS CRACK OFTEN. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ACCORDING TO FORD. THIS IS MY 3RD SET OF REAR TONE RINGS IN 3 YEARS. I LOOSE MY HILL-ASSIST, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND OTHER SAFETY FEATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325956

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

27,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V408000 (POWER TRAIN) BY AUTONATION FORD BELLEVUE (411 116TH AVE NE, BELLEVUE, WA 98004, 425-243-5203), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11153346

Incident

Nov 21, 2018

Mileage

32,000 mi

THE REAR LEFT BRAKE PAD IN THE OUTSIDE(WHEEL SIDE) REDUCE RUNNING CLEARANCE DO TO MISALIGNMENT OF THE CALIPER HOUSING, PRODUCING UNSAFE EXCESSIVE HEAT, POOR MPG'S, METAL TO METAL NOICE AND EXPENSIVE MANTAINING COSTS FORD KNOW THE PROBLEM AND EMIT TSB 15-0190, BUT DOESN'T CORRECT THEIR DEFECT FREE COST ON VEHICLES OVER 36,000 MILES AND DOESN'T COMUNICATE TO THE VEHICLES OWNERS THAT THEY ARE AT RISK.

NHTSA ID

11018798

Incident

Feb 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD TRANSIT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID STRIKING TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 60 YARDS AND CAME TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 353.

NHTSA ID

10986390

Incident

May 5, 2017

Mileage

353 mi