FordTransit2016Overview/ford/transit/2016/base/

2016 Ford Transit

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Transit.

Body TRUCK

The 2016 Ford Transit, a TRUCK documented in the 2016 Ford Transit Overview, recorded 151 total owner complaints and 21 recalls, with the Power Train area accounting for the most complaints. Over its life from 2001 through 2026 the model’s complaint record peaked at 188 in 2015 and bottomed at just one in 2001, situating the 2016 year between those extremes. This places the 2016 model’s complaint volume above the lowest historic level but below the highest, reflecting a moderate standing in the vehicle’s reliability history.

Model year202520242016

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 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 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

BatteryBAGM48H6760

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

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

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
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
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
2020350 Crew EcoBoost Van (148WB HR) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.70 sec15.30 sec310 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine Synthetic · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.1
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5-6.1
Engine Coolant Capacity15.3 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity16.4 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 8.8 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission53.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .037 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Primary Fuel Pump Pressure4.4-11.6 Key on engine running psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)4.4-11.6 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-67 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)65 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 44; Rear: 23 /; Front: 44; Rear: 23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 203; Rear: 85 /; Front: 203; Rear: 85
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .591
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 12 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil.

1Bolts 1-127.4 ft. lbs
2Bolts 13-223.7 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1-1214.7 ft. lbs
4Bolts 13-227.4 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-1226 ft. lbs
6Bolts 13-2214.7 ft. lbs
7Bolts 1-1233 ft. lbs
8Bolts 13-2219 ft. lbs
9Bolts 1-1290 degrees
10Bolts 13-2290 degrees

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 every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & 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 2016 Transit sits just after a steep rise in complaints and recalls that peaked in 2015 (188 complaints, 26 recalls) and before a moderate decline in 2017 (96 complaints, 18 recalls). Its 151 complaints and 21 recalls are still high but lower than 2015, indicating a slight improvement but remaining in the upper‑tier of the generation’s trend. The year‑by‑year data show a gradual downward trajectory through 2018, suggesting that issues were being addressed, yet the 2016 model still carries a relatively heavy complaint load, particularly in the Power Train category (48 complaints). The federal record does not specify root causes, so the data do not reveal whether these complaints were resolved. Given the high complaint and recall numbers relative to surrounding years, a 2016 Transit may require more scrutiny and maintenance, so it is a less attractive purchase compared to later years.

21
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
232
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
151
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 151 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train48
Unknown Or Other16
Engine8
Structure7
Electrical System5
Seat Belts5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Engine & Engine Cooling3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 21 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V103000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 21/02/2019

XL Hybrids, Inc (XL) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit vehicles modified to be equipped with XL's electric hybrid system. The cardan (universal) joint on the front driveshaft may fail, possibly causing the… 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…

18V275000Electrical System:WiringReported 30/04/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 232 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
SSM 546902026-03-26EngineSome 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25N152026-01-05Visibility/WiperCertain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For…

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

Does the 2016 Transit have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 21 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.