NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Ford Transit
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ford Transit is a full-size commercial van positioned squarely at small businesses, fleet operators, and tradespeople who need serious cargo and passenger capacity. Sold in cargo, passenger, and crew configurations, it dominates its segment by sheer versatility. But buyers who prioritize safety data alongside utility will want to look closely before signing, because the Transit's federal safety profile is a genuinely mixed bag.
The 2019 Ford Transit earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 57 out of 100, an weak result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 9 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally praise the Ford Transit for its exceptional configurability, strong cargo capacity, and broad powertrain options that make it adaptable across commercial and personal use cases. Most acknowledge it as a segment benchmark for utility and availability. Criticism tends to center on the driving dynamics and refinement expected of a large van rather than outright safety concerns.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13721
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:25V876000
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Reported 2025-12-17
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V572000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identificatio
Reported 2025-09-04
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE21V631000
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.
Reported 2021-08-11
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY21V324000
Risk: Fractured studs may allow the wheel to detach, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the rear axle shaft assembly, axle shaft mounting bolts, and rear wheel lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S21.
Reported 2021-05-07
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR20V250000
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: National Van Builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or National Van Builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.
Reported 2020-05-05
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR20V222000
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: TransitWorks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2020. Dealers can contact Freedman Seating Company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.
Reported 2020-04-20
STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT19V439000
Risk: If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: LA West will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2019. Owners may contact LA West customer service at 1-704-498-4940.
Reported 2019-06-11
SEATS19V229000
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: TransitWorks has notified owners and instructed them to contact Freedman seats for a repair kit. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman Seating customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or TransitWorks customer service at 1-855-337-9543.
Reported 2019-03-22
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT19V103000
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.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2019-02-21
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
36 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.