Ford Transit Custom: common faults & what to check
Thinking about buying a used Ford Transit Custom (2013–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 5 known faults for this model spanning engine and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
5
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$1,200–$3,500
Typical repair
2
Systems covered
Known Ford Transit Custom faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
012.0 EcoBlue wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) — premature failure, interval cut to 6yr/160,000km
CriticalCommonEngine $2,000–$12,000 to fix
From late 2016 the Custom switched to the 2.0 EcoBlue, which runs its cam belt in engine oil. Failed or frequent DPF regenerations dilute the oil with diesel, the diluted oil attacks the belt, and belts have let go at 50,000-70,000 km — well inside Ford's original 10-year/240,000 km claim, which Ford has since cut to 6 years/160,000 km. Belt debris can also block the oil pick-up and starve the engine. Failure means valve/piston contact and effectively an engine. Note this is the EcoBlue only — the earlier 2.2 is chain-driven.
Symptoms to notice
Low oil pressure warning light
Rattle from the front of the engine
Rubber particles in drained oil or the filter housing
Sudden engine stoppage with no prior symptoms
What to check
Service history is everything: correct low-ash oil at short intervals, and on any van over 6 years or 100,000 km, an invoice for the wet belt job (belt, tensioner, oil pump belt where applicable). Ask about the van's duty cycle — short urban runs mean constant DPF regens and the shortest belt life. No belt invoice on a 2016-2019 van = negotiate the full job off the price.
Where to look: Inside the front of the engine — belt runs in oil, cannot be visually checked
Ask the seller
“Has the wet timing belt been done, with an invoice?”
“What oil and intervals were used?”
“Mostly urban or open-road use?”
02Early-build software and electrical glitches — screen blackouts, phantom warnings
MinorCommonElectrical $0–$500 to fix
First-year examples of the new-generation Custom have documented teething issues: the 13-inch SYNC4 screen blacking out or rebooting (taking climate controls with it), phantom driver-assist warnings, and modules needing repeated dealer software updates. Ford has been issuing over-the-air and dealer updates steadily. Nothing mechanical, but on a van used for work, repeated dealer visits are lost income — buy one with the updates already applied.
Symptoms to notice
Infotainment screen going black or rebooting while driving
Random lane-keeping or sensor warnings
Bluetooth/CarPlay dropouts
Warning messages that clear on restart
What to check
On the test drive, use the screen heavily — climate, camera, CarPlay — and watch for freezes. Ask whether all software updates are current at a Ford dealer and whether any modules have been replaced under warranty.
Where to look: SYNC4 touchscreen and body/driver-assist modules behind the dash
Ask the seller
“Are all software updates applied?”
“Any warranty visits for electrical faults?”
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
3 more documented faults on the Ford Transit Custom
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Ford Transit Custom, the recurring problem areas are engine and electrical. A Ford Transit Custom with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Ford Transit Custom?
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We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Ford Transit Custom, covering engine and electrical. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Ford Transit Custom?
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Most single repairs on the Ford Transit Custom fall between $1,200–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Ford Transit Custom?
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Yes. A Ford Transit Custom inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.