CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2021 Ford Transit

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

23

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Ford Transit have filed 23 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2021 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 6 of them (26%). The typical failure was reported at 79,469 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

25V876000 · December 17, 2025

The defect
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
The risk
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

Rollx Vans · up to 86 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

23V499000 · July 19, 2023

The defect
Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
The risk
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Quality Vans customer service at 1-480-464-7007.

QUALITY VANS · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

21V592000 · July 30, 2021

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.

Ford Motor Company · up to 42,493 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 23.

POWER TRAIN 6 26%
WHEELS 5 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 17%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 13%
SUSPENSION 3 13%
SEAT BELTS 2 9%
TIRES 2 9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 9%
AIR BAGS 1 4%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 4%
STRUCTURE 1 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 7.

2021 2025 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 25,000 miles

The contact owned a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving the 2021 Thor Gemini at 65 MPH in the wind, the wind veered the vehicle off the road. The vehicle rolled over and down an embankment when it came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The side curtain air bag and front passenger-side air bags deployed. However, the driver-side air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and his wife were taken to the hospital via ambulance. The contact sustained a concussion, while the contact's wife was severely injured in the right eye due to the air bag and sustained a concussion. The vehicle was towed to Ricky's Towing, a local towing yard. The

NHTSA complaint 11703045, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

crash · towed

U-Haul rented me this vehicle and didn't notify me if the outstanding recall also tires. This was a replacement for a worse truck and now they are saying I stole both trucks.

NHTSA complaint 11460442. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

towed

Per Mr. [XXX]: My daughter and members of our church’s high school youth group were on their way to a summer missions project in western Virginia/eastern Tennessee in an Enterprise rental van when the [DRIVERS' SIDE] rear tire started to separate from the vehicle as they were driving south on [XXX] near Staunton! Fortunately, the dad who was driving was able to safely steer the van to the side of the road, where the kids and their suitcases were re-distributed among the other vehicles in the caravan. They called Enterprise, but they had no vehicles to spare, so they told the driver to leave the van by the side of the road and they would dispatch a wrecker to pick it up. Have you seen this

NHTSA complaint 11537364, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

towed · 160,215 miles

The contact's business owns a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated while an employee was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire detached from the axle and landed into a front yard. The vehicle was stopped immediately. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hub bolts sheared off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,215.

NHTSA complaint 11617421. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
The passenger side seat belt locks up at unusual times. Passenger can’t reach anything because they are locked in their seat. The seatbelt has locked up numerous times however the mechanic can’t repeat the problem in the shop. Yes is has been reported and investigated by TASCA Ford, 1300 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI. No indications before the seatbelt locks up.

NHTSA complaint 11741881. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

92,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while parked and having an oil change sticker applied to the top of the driver's side windshield, the glass detached half an inch and water had since entered the vehicle through the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA complaint 11730872. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

320,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Ford Transit. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 33,000; and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 320,000.

NHTSA complaint 11710947. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES

20,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Transit 250 equipped with Sentury Lionheart Tires, Tire Line: Lionclaw, Tire Size: 235/65/R16, DOT Number: [XXX] . The tires were replacement tires. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the vehicle started shuddering and vibrating. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the contact noticed a blowout of the front driver's side tire. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire was cracked by the side wall. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local tire dealer were notified of the failures. No further

NHTSA complaint 11701195, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

79,469 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle lost motive power with the “WRENCH” warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off, and was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. Two days later, the “WRENCH” light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Subsequently, the vehicle was taken to a transmission center, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and requested the vehicle maintenance

NHTSA complaint 11683666, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Transit

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 27 10
2023 53 19
2022 36 16
2020 83 9
2019 36 9
2018 56 14
2017 98 18
2016 153 21 1
2015 191 26 9

Other 2021 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst