Ford Transit Van, Bus Recall Issued Due to Risk of Sudden Power Loss, Movement While Parked

More than 400,000 Ford Transit vans and buses may have dangerous defects that allow the driveshaft to break, causing a sudden loss of power while the vehicle is in motion, or the unexpected movement of the vehicle while it is in a parked position. 

A Ford Transit recall was announced by the auto maker on June 28, indicating that the flexible couple attached to the driveshaft may crack, allowing the driveshaft to separate.

While no injuries or accidents have been reported in relation to the Ford Transit van and bus problems, if the driveshaft separates, it will result in the loss of motive power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The driveshaft failure could also allow the unintended movement while the vehicles gear shifter is placed in the park position, posing a roll away hazard.

Ford is also warning owners about the risk of secondary damage from the driveshaft separating from the transmission, which could damage to the brake and fuel lines, posing a loss of stopping power or fuel exposure hazard.

The Ford recall impacts model year 2015 through 2017 Transit vans and buses manufactured by Ford Motor Company at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from January 17, 2014 through June 15, 2017. The approximately 402,462 affected vehicles were distributed for sale throughout the United States at licensed Ford and Lincoln dealers. An estimated 370,630 were distributed throughout the U.S., 2,361 were distributed to federalized territories, 3,217 in Mexico, and 26,254 were distributed for sale in Canada.

Ford announced that the parts needed to repair the problem are not yet available. As an interim solution, Ford is notifying all customers of the recall notice with instructions for vehicles with under 30,000 miles or more on them to schedule an appointment at their local Ford or Lincoln dealer to replace the driveshaft flexible coupling. Customers who have not yet reached 30,000 miles should schedule a repair appointment once they have reached the proper mileage.

Customers are being asked to schedule a repair appointment at their local dealers every 30,000 miles to have the driveshaft flexible coupling replaced until they receive further notice from Ford to schedule a final repair for free.