NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 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 2023 Ford Transit earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 52 out of 100, an weak result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 19 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 17352
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V061000
Risk: A loss of drive power or brake failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cross member fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S04. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 4, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-03
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
STEERING25V623000
Risk: Incorrect tires and an incorrect steering coupler cover can cause a loss of brake function, loss of steering control, or damage to tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the tires, tire placard, and certification label, and also recalibrate the vehicle. Additionally, dealers will remove the steering coupler cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S95. Vehicle Id
Reported 2025-09-18
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
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.
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.
Reported 2025-06-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V339000
Risk: An instrument panel that does not illuminate critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C19.
Reported 2025-05-23
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V242000
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S38.
Reported 2025-04-11
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM25V168000
Risk: Loss of the ability to control the defrost or defog function decreases the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the remote climate control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S23.
Reported 2025-03-14
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT24V805000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up or separation of the wheel from the axle shaft can result in loss of vehicle control or loss of drive power. In addition, the vehicle may roll in park if the parking brake is not applied. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle shaft bolts, replace incorrect bolts as necessary, and fill the differential fluid if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S67.
Reported 2024-10-25
STEERING:COLUMN24V591000
Risk: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column intermediate shaft bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 14, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S48.
Reported 2024-08-09
SEATS24V552000
Risk: The seat back could release when force is applied to the shoulder belt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: A&J will inspect and repair the seats as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact A&J customer service at 920-775-9333.
Reported 2024-07-24
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM24V542000
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new EPAS ground pigtail kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S46.
Reported 2024-07-19
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
53 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.