FordTransit-2502021Overview/ford/transit-250/2021/base/
250 platform

2021 Ford Transit-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Transit.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2021 Ford Transit rides on the long‑standing 250 platform, pairing its robust automatic S6 transmission with a powertrain that accepts 6.0 qt of oil in viscosities ranging from 5W‑30 to 0W‑30 and 5W‑20, while delivering an EPA‑rated 20/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined fuel economy. Across its production span from 2001 to 2026, the Transit has shown a marked decline in owner‑reported issues, with the 2021 model registering only 23 total complaints—chiefly in the power‑train area—and four recalls, a stark contrast to the peak of 188 complaints recorded in 2015. This comparatively low complaint count positions the 2021 year as one of the more reliable iterations in the model’s history, suggesting incremental improvements in durability and serviceability.

Model year202520242021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 48 · 610 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 48 · 610 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/65R16/C 121/119ROEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase120.5 in
Curb weight3580 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Transit of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–12.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2020 350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.70 sec15.30 sec310 hpAWD
2017350 EcoBoost Van (148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.80 sec15.30 sec310 hpRWD
2017350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.60 sec16.00 sec310 hpRWD
2015350 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (12-pass 148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.50 sec15.90 sec310 hpRWD
2015150 XLT EcoBoost Wagon (10-pass 130WB MR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V67.60 sec15.90 sec310 hpRWD
2015150 XL Diesel Van (148WB LR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-510.60 sec17.90 sec185 hpRWD
2015350 HD Diesel Van DRW (148WB HR) 3.2L Turbo Diesel I-512.50 sec18.70 sec185 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · Synthetic in the differential, Dot 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · Synthetic
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic · 0W-30 · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.47 qt
Windshield Washer Fluid Capacity4.80 qt

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Standard BCI Cranking Performance610 cca
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

RPMEcoboost: 71.0; Duratech: 75.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1,2 & 4-75.91 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 45°, Step 6: Bolt 10: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 7: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 8: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.14 ft. lbs., Step 9: Bolts 15 & 16: 45°.2.25 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 45°, Step 6: Bolt 10: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 7: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 8: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.14 ft. lbs., Step 9: Bolts 15 & 16: 45°.2.25 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-14: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 6: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.142.25 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Ford Transit is not directly represented in the year-by-year federal record, but the provided target-year data shows a modest number of complaints concentrated in power train (3), wheels (3), electrical system (2), and tires (2), with two crash-related complaints and no fire complaints. Looking at the generation’s trend, complaints and recalls peaked sharply in 2015 (188 complaints, 26 recalls) and then declined steadily through 2020 (82 complaints, 9 recalls), with the 2026 model year showing only 5 complaints and 0 recalls. This arc indicates that Ford progressively addressed early issues, and the 2021 model year’s low complaint counts align with the later, more mature phase of the generation. Given the limited reported problems and the improving trend, the 2021 Transit appears to be a solid used-vehicle choice.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train3
Wheels3
Electrical System2
Tires2
Unknown Or Other2
Seat Belts1
Visibility1
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-22262026-05-08Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 26-2046. Reason For Update: update the parts list to change the…
SSM 547582026-04-20Vehicle Speed ControlSome 2020-2026 Transit vehicle customers may request vehicle speed to be limited. Speed…
SSM 547202026-04-02Electrical SystemVarious 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system…
SSM 547192026-04-02Power TrainFor 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
25N122026-04-02Power TrainCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N12 Certain 2020-2025 Model Year Transit All-Wheel-Drive…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Transit. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Transit take?

6.0 qt of Ecoboost: Motorcraft 5W-30 Synthetic; Motorcraft 0W-30 Synthetic can be used for temperatures below -22° F.; Duratec: Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic, Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic may be used for temperatures below -22°F., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Transit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Transit get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.