What 188 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Transit Van Battery Electric

The front subframe and transmission crossmember on my 2015 Ford Transit have experienced severe, premature structural corrosion, resulting in the metal rotting completely through. The subframe is structurally compromised, brittle, and actively cracking.Safety Risk and Imminent Hazard:The subframe is the load-bearing structural skeleton holding the vehicle's engine, steering assembly, transmission, and suspension components in place. Because the metal has rusted through, there is an imminent risk of complete structural collapse while driving. If the subframe snaps or detaches under load, it will cause an immediate loss of steering control and engine displacement, likely resulting in a catastrophic high-speed crash.Passenger and Public Danger:This vehicle is not used for commercial purposes; it is a dedicated family vehicle used daily to transport eleven (11) children. A structural failure at highway speeds puts twelve lives inside the vehicle—and dozens more on the road—at immediate risk of fatal injury.Manufacturer Response:Ford Motor Company (Ford Pro Customer Advocacy, Case Manager: Quatavius) was contacted regarding this premature, widespread engineering defect. Ford formally denied any financial or repair assistance, stating no programs exist, completely disregarding the severe safety risk to the 11 children inside this vehicle. This is a systemic manufacturing defect with 2015-2023 Ford Transit subframes that requires an immediate federal safety investigation and mandatory safety recall before a fatal structural failure occurs As of now the symptoms are the rattling noise of the rotting subframe and steering vibration while driving. We even hit another car and paid for repairs already due to fear of steering loss.

NHTSA ODI 11741522

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11648034

While driving on the highway, acceleration shuts down and I lose the ability to control speed. I had to coast to the side of the road even though the engine was still running and I was rear-ended. After I shut off the vehicle, it turned on and returned to normal operation. This has happened multiple times. The throttle body was replaced in 2021 at 117,444 miles and is having this issue again now. I have a fleet of Transit vehicles and this has happened on 4 transits from 2015-2018 a total of 6 times now. This is an ongoing issue that Ford needs to address.

NHTSA ODI 11555235

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD TRANSIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIVESHAFT FLEXIBLE COUPLING FAILED AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIR BORNE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND HEAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE KNEES, HEAD, HIP, NECK, AND BACK. BOTH RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ADVISED THAT THE POLICE WAS NOT PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRIAN TOLIVER FORD (1040 GILMER ST, SULPHUR SPRING, TX 75482, PHONE (877) 800-3241), THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V767000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11400001

I HAD RENTED THE FORD TRANSIT FROM ENTERPRISE IN NACGDOCHES TX. ON NOVEMBER 12, 2015 A LADY HIT ME AND MY 8 FAMILY MEMBER ON THE WAY TO SHELBYVILLE SCHOOL. WE HIT ON THE SIDE BUT HALF OF THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF AND SEAT BEATS WOULDN'T LET HALF OF US RELEASE.. I BROKE MY ARM ...I HAVE INTERNAL BLEEDING..ME AND MY KID WERE FULL OF WHATEVER WAS COMING OUT THE AIR BAGS IT WAS CUTTING US IN OUR FACE ..ONE OF MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO HAVE EMERGENCY SURGERY ON HER MOUTH THE OTHER ONE LOST 3 TEETH DUE TO THE AIR BAGS IT WAS VERY HORRIBLE. .U PROBABLY ASKING YOURSELF WHAT TOOK US SO LONG TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE WELL WE BEEN SPEAKING WITH FORD BOONE IS TRYING TO SOLVE THE MATTER ..BUT PLEASE IF SOMEONE COULD CONTRACT ME WE ARE IN NIGHTMARE FROM THIS IT'S HARD FOR US TO EVER GET OVER IT ..IT'S BEEN A 1YR AND NO ONE WILL EVERY RETURN OUR CALL OR SPEAK WITH US ON THIS MATTER..MY NAME IS [XXX] MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]..NO THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVABLE THE HORN STAYED GOING OFF IT WOULDN'T STOP THEY HAD TO CUT WIRES TO MAKE IT CUT OFF THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T RELEASE ON OUR SIDE SO ME HAD TO BE TRANSFER TO NACDOCHES MEDICAL CENTER BY AMBULANCE AND HALF THE KIDS WENT IN THE SCHOOL CAN ....IT WANT LET ME PUSH THE AIR BAGS ON THE LIST. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10915684