FordTransit-1502021Overview/ford/transit-150/2021/base/
150 platform

2021 Ford Transit-150

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 is a full-size commercial van built on the 150 platform, powered by a gasoline engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and requiring 6.0 quarts of oil within the 5W-30/0W-30/5W-20 viscosity range. EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/27/22 mpg place it competitively within its class for a vehicle of this size and capability. With only 23 owner complaints logged for the model year—against a complaint history spanning 2001 through 2026 that peaked at 188 in 2015 and bottomed at just 1 in 2001—the 2021 Transit sits among the model's most reliable iterations, though four recalls during this model year indicate areas requiring owner attention, with the power train accounting for the highest complaint volume.

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 federal record shows this generation’s complaint volume peaked sharply in 2015 (188 complaints, 26 recalls) before declining to a low of 55 complaints and 14 recalls in 2018, then rising modestly to 82 complaints and 9 recalls in 2020. The 2021 model year does not appear in the year-by-year federal summary, but its top complaint categories — Power Train and Wheels each with three reports, followed by Electrical System and Tires with two each — suggest a narrower focus than the broader spreads seen in earlier high-volume years. Crash complaints total two with zero fire reports, aligning with the low severe-incident counts typical of recent years. Recalls have trended downward consistently since 2015, and TSB volumes remain elevated but stable across the generation. Without aggregate 2021 complaint or recall totals, the data implies 2021 continues the post-2018 pattern of moderate, system-specific issues rather than systemic defects. A thorough pre-purchase inspection targeting the powertrain and wheel components is advisable, but the available indicators support 2021 as a reasonable purchase year within this generation.

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.