Loss of Power Steering
Ford Transit loss of power problems
34 of the 798 owner complaints about the Ford Transit describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 34
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 95,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 7Fuel pump 5Check engine light 3Won't shift 2Engine failure 2Won't start 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0717 1P0715 1P0230 1
What owners say
Loss of Power Steering
My 2016 Ford Transit experienced a sudden loss of engine power while I was driving on the highway. The vehicle entered limp mode, stalled, and emitted excessive black smoke from the exhaust, creating a hazardous situation for me and surrounding motorists. I was forced to pull off the roadway because the vehicle could no longer operate safely. When a warning first appeared, I promptly took the vehicle to an authorized dealer, the dealership preformed some type of update and a DPF regeneration and instructed me to drive the vehicle on the highway for 50 miles to complete the regeneration process, I followed these instructions. The light returned and the vehicle was inspected by another authorized Ford dealership, All-State Ford, which confirmed the condition covered under Ford Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 23M01 involving the catalytic converter system. The dealership confirmed that the required repair cannot be completed because Ford has not supplied the necessary replacement part after I called to get an update. Approximately five months have passed since the vehicle was diagnosed, and the required part remains unavailable. During this time, my vehicle has remained unusable. Ford has been unable to provide a repair date or any estimated timeline for when the part will become available. Ford’s response has been to direct me back to the dealership. However, the dealership has confirmed that it cannot obtain the part, provide a repair timeline, authorize reimbursement, or offer any alternative remedy because those decisions are controlled by Ford Motor Company. In researching this issue, I found online discussions from owners describing similar catalytic converter failures and extended delays across multiple Ford vehicle models. While I cannot independently verify those reports, they suggest this may not be an isolated incident. I respectfully request the federal safety agency review whether the remedy offered under CSP 23M01 is adequately addressing the safety issue.
On March 11, 2026, a 2024 Ford Transit (VIN: [XXX] ) was being operated under normal driving conditions when the check engine light began intermittently activating. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of dashboard functionality. While attempting to safely maneuver to the shoulder, the operator experienced loss of power steering and reduced braking capability. During this time, flames were observed originating from the engine compartment. The operator was able to safely pull the vehicle over, exit, and contact emergency services. The vehicle subsequently became fully engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported. A preliminary fire investigation determined the area of origin to be the passenger side of the engine compartment, with evidence of possible electrical involvement. The specific failed component has not yet been identified. This incident created a significant safety hazard due to the sudden loss of vehicle control systems combined with an active vehicle fire during operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My 2015 Ford Transit 350 equipped with the 3.2L diesel engine experienced a failure of the high-pressure fuel injection pump at approximately 72,000 miles. The pump generated metallic debris which contaminated the entire fuel system. The vehicle began experiencing drivability problems including loss of power and intermittent stalling. The vehicle was diagnosed by a Ford dealership, where metal contamination was found in the fuel system. The repair required replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump, injectors, high-pressure fuel lines, and fuel rail, along with flushing and cleaning of the fuel tank and fuel system. The total repair cost was approximately $11,500. This failure appears to match the defect described in Ford safety recall 16S32 for certain 2015–2016 Ford Transit vehicles equipped with the same 3.2L diesel engine, where scuffing in the fuel injection pump can create metallic debris that contaminates the fuel system. My vehicle was built July 16, 2015, essentially within the same production period described in the recall, but my VIN was not included in the recall population. Because this failure required replacement of most of the fuel system components and created a sudden loss of power risk while driving, I am reporting this issue so it can be investigated and considered for inclusion with similar failures.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 - 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to decelerate. During the most recent failure, the contact was able to drive to the dealer before the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that water was leaking into the engine, causing a shortage with the spark plugs and other electrical systems. The #4 spark plug was replaced. The contact researched and became aware of an issue with the cowl allowing water and debris to enter the engine and causing the #4 spark plug to be short-circuited. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
This complaint is specifically related to Ford Recall 16S32 / the federal safety agency Campaign 16V618000 regarding the High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) failure. My vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) has experienced the exact mechanical failure described in this recall, resulting in metal debris throughout the fuel system and a sudden loss of engine power while driving. This created an immediate safety hazard on the road. Ford is currently denying assistance because my vehicle’s production date falls just one day (24 hours) outside the official recall window. It is mechanically impossible for a manufacturing defect present in the recalled batch to not exist in a vehicle produced only 24 hours earlier. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this arbitrary 1-day exclusion. Ford should not be allowed to avoid responsibility for a known safety defect based on a marginal production date error, especially when the failure and the parts involved are identical to those covered under the recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the warning message "Reduced Power" was displayed. The contact stated that after restarting the engine, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure reoccurred later. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the fuel injector, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the fuel system. The dealer determined that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced, including the fuel pump, the fuel valves and the fuel injector. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V618000(Fuel System, Diesel, Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Since I purchased this vehicle, it has experienced severe safety-related failures in the electrical system, battery, vacuum pump, powertrain, and other components. All warning lights would activate on the dashboard, messages appeared such as “Service Immediately” and “Power Reduced,” the vehicle became limited to about 10 mph, and on several occasions it shut off completely while in use. Six days before taking it to Midway Ford, Metro Ford replaced the battery, but within days the vehicle became inoperable again. Midway Ford kept the vehicle for weeks and eventually claimed the battery was defective, but attempted to charge me over $2,000 for sensors and a fuse box despite my Ford 5-year/8-year warranties and an extended service contract. I opened formal complaints with Ford, Metro Ford, and Midway Ford. Ford acknowledged factory defects, and the vehicle has more than six prior repairs since 2022, consistent with known issues in similar models (vacuum pump failures). During active state and federal investigations—and without my authorization—Midway Ford moved the vehicle off their property. I have evidence from the Ford app showing it was relocated to an apartment complex, then a private house, and finally to an unauthorized tow yard. When I returned to the country, police accompanied me to the location where I found the vehicle hidden, vandalized, with deflated tires, scratches, and surrounded by stripped and crashed cars. Midway Ford initially denied having the vehicle and later changed their statements. Afterward, all alerts were cleared from the Ford app without explanation. Midway Ford acted without permission, moved the vehicle during an open investigation, manipulated its condition, and returned it damaged. I request a full safety investigation due to repeated failures, loss of power, shutdowns while driving, and the dealer’s negligent handling of the vehicle.
From the moment I purchased the vehicle, HGreg Nissan withheld essential information and misled me about its condition and warranty status. They told me the vehicle had a “bumper-to-bumper” warranty valid until October 2025 because it was a 2022 model, but they never informed me about the actual manufacturer warranties (5-year and 8-year EV warranties), which remain active and override any extended warranty they sold me. To justify selling me a six-year extended warranty through NESNA, HGreg Nissan hid the fact that the manufacturer warranties were still in effect. They also added three additional warranties I explicitly said I did not want. All documents were signed on a tablet, and I was never given physical copies. The USB they provided did not include any warranty information. I repeatedly requested the warranty documents and received no response. NESNA later confirmed that the extended warranty could not be activated because the manufacturer warranty was still active. HGreg Nissan also failed to disclose that the vehicle had been part of a commercial fleet in California, was auctioned, retitled, and then sold to me as if it were a clean personal-use vehicle. Since day one, the vehicle has experienced serious and repeated failures: electrical system malfunctions, powertrain warnings, brake system faults, vacuum pump failures, sudden loss of power, reduced speed mode, and spontaneous shutdowns. The vehicle is unsafe and is currently completely inoperable. HGreg Nissan sold me a defective vehicle, concealed critical history, misrepresented warranty coverage, added unwanted contracts, and refused to provide documentation or support. These failures pose a serious safety risk to me and other drivers.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
- Risk
- A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S55.
Recall number 25V344000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Transit loss of power
Which Ford Transit years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (8 complaints), 2016 (8 complaints) and 2023 (4 complaints).
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