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Ford2013–2024 Critical issues documented

Ford Transit Custom: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Ford Transit Custom (2013–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 7 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Ford Transit Custom

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

7

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$1,200–$3,500

Typical repair

3

Systems covered

Which Ford Transit Custom are you looking at?

3 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

2.0 EcoBlue diesel· 2.0 litre diesel2.2 turbo-diesel· 2.2 litre diesel, turbocharged

Start your free check on this Ford Transit Custom

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Ford Transit CustomEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Transit Custom came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Can't confirm for this car

Ford Transit Custom

Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

matched on no vehicle context

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Ford Transit Custom before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Have a Ford dealer run the VIN for the injector service action status.

    See why

    2.0 EcoBlue injector coating failure — official Ford service action

    The same EcoBlue injector fault as the big Transit: an internal coating delaminates, blocks the injector and causes misfires, smoke and non-starts, concentrated in 2017-2019 builds. Ford ran an official service action replacing injectors free, announced via the UK fleet press; that program is over, so unfixed vans now pay full price for a set. Repeat failures were reported even after replacement on early parts, so ask for dates and part numbers.

    What you would notice

    • Misfire or rough running
    • Hard starting or non-start
    • Excessive smoke
    • Recurring injector fault codes

    Typically $1,200–$3,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Cold-start it and listen for uneven, nailing combustion.

    See why

    2.2 TDCi injector wear and EGR valve failure

    Pre-2017 Customs use the 2.2 Duratorq (timing chain, no wet belt) whose known weak points are injectors — rough running, smoke, hard starts, and seizure into the head if neglected — and EGR valves that gum up with soot, causing limp mode and poor running. Both are well documented on the Mk7-era engine this carries over. Fuel filter history matters; contaminated or stretched-interval fuel systems kill injectors early.

    What you would notice

    • Knocky, uneven idle or misfire
    • Black smoke under load
    • Hard starting
    • Limp mode with EGR fault codes

    Typically $700–$3,500 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Confirm every service is in the digital service record with the correct oil spec and on time.

    See why

    2.0 EcoBlue carries over the belt-in-oil design — strict oil discipline required

    The all-new 2024 Custom keeps the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel and with it the belt-in-oil timing drive that caused so much grief in the previous generation. Ford's revised 6-year/160,000 km belt interval and low-ash oil requirements apply from new, and the same oil-dilution mechanism (short trips, interrupted DPF regens) shortens belt life. Too new for a failure pattern of its own, but the design risk is inherited, so buy on service history and duty cycle.

    What you would notice

    • None when healthy — this is a preventative-maintenance risk
    • Low oil pressure warning or front-of-engine rattle would be late-stage signs

    Typically $2,000–$3,500 to put right.

  • Common issue

    On the test drive, use the screen heavily — climate, camera, CarPlay — and watch for freezes.

    See why

    Early-build software and electrical glitches — screen blackouts, phantom warnings

    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.

    What you would notice

    • Infotainment screen going black or rebooting while driving
    • Random lane-keeping or sensor warnings
    • Bluetooth/CarPlay dropouts
    • Warning messages that clear on restart

    Typically $0–$500 to put right.

See all 7 documented issuesEverything researched for the Ford Transit Custom, including 1 rated critical.
Depends on which engine this Ford Transit Custom has — 7Each of these is documented for one particular engine. Pick the year and engine above to see which of them apply.
Engine, transmission & cooling6

012.0 EcoBlue wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) — premature failure, interval cut to 6yr/160,000km

From late 2016 the Custom switched to the 2.0 EcoBlue, which runs its cam belt in engine oil.diesel2016–2023EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

022.0 EcoBlue carries over the belt-in-oil design — strict oil discipline required

Confirm every service is in the digital service record with the correct oil spec and on time.diesel2024 onwardEngine
OccasionalEngine $2,000–$3,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The all-new 2024 Custom keeps the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel and with it the belt-in-oil timing drive that caused so much grief in the previous generation. Ford's revised 6-year/160,000 km belt interval and low-ash oil requirements apply from new, and the same oil-dilution mechanism (short trips, interrupted DPF regens) shortens belt life. Too new for a failure pattern of its own, but the design risk is inherited, so buy on service history and duty cycle.

Symptoms to notice

  • None when healthy — this is a preventative-maintenance risk
  • Low oil pressure warning or front-of-engine rattle would be late-stage signs

What to check

  1. Confirm every service is in the digital service record with the correct oil spec and on time.
  2. Ask about the van's usage — a courier van doing short urban hops is diluting its oil far faster than a highway van.
  3. Note the 6-year/160,000 km belt date in your ownership budget.

Where to look: Inside the front of the engine — belt runs in oil

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter.

Ask the seller

  • “Is the full digital service history intact and on-time?”
  • “What duty cycle has the van done?”

032.0 EcoBlue injector coating failure — official Ford service action

Have a Ford dealer run the VIN for the injector service action status.diesel2017–2019EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

042.2 TDCi injector wear and EGR valve failure

Cold-start it and listen for uneven, nailing combustion.diesel2013–2016EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

05Clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear on manual vans (2.2 TDCi / 2.0 EcoBlue)

diesel2013–2023TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

062.0 EcoBlue EGR valve and cooler failure — limp mode, warning lights and coolant loss

The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel's exhaust gas recirculation system is a documented weak point on Transit Customs, including the 2020 facelift vans.diesel2016–2023EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical1

01Early-build software and electrical glitches — screen blackouts, phantom warnings

On the test drive, use the screen heavily — climate, camera, CarPlay — and watch for freezes.2024 onwardElectrical
CommonElectrical $0–$500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

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?”

Ford Transit Custom faults in detail

Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

2.0 EcoBlue EGR valve and cooler failure — limp mode, warning lights and coolant lossMajor · Engine2.0 EcoBlue injector coating failure — official Ford service actionMajor · Engine2.0 EcoBlue wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) — premature failure, interval cut to 6yr/160,000kmCritical · Engine2.2 TDCi injector wear and EGR valve failureMajor · EngineClutch and dual-mass flywheel wear on manual vans (2.2 TDCi / 2.0 EcoBlue)Major · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Ford Transit Custom’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Ford models

Ford Ranger45 documented faultsFord Focus37 documented faultsFord Falcon36 documented faultsFord Fairmont24 documented faultsFord Escape21 documented faultsFord Mustang21 documented faults

Ford Transit Custom buyer questions

Is the Ford Transit Custom reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 7 documented faults for the Ford Transit Custom, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, 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?

We've catalogued 7 known faults for the Ford Transit Custom, covering engine, transmission, and electrical. All 7 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Ford Transit Custom?

Most single repairs on the Ford Transit Custom fall between $1,200–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 7 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?

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 $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.