Ford to Fling Driveshaft Repairs at Transit Owners Until It Figures Out a Solution

There’s a problem underneath 2015-2017 Ford Transit models and, until the Blue Oval figures out a long-term fix, owners and operators of all Transit variants can expect a new driveshaft flexible coupling every 30,000 miles.

The automaker has announced a safety recall for 402,462 Transits sold in North America in order to prevent instances of driveshaft separation caused by a faulty flexible coupling. Ford seems to have become aware of a looming problem with each vehicle’s driveline, which apparently isn’t nearly as robust as the automaker had hoped.

Ford claims it isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries stemming from driveshaft separation. However, it wouldn’t know of the problem if it hadn’t already happened. While the vehicles involved in the recall aren’t old, potential failure of the flexible coupling might not be far off for many of them.

“Based on the field data, Ford does not expect the current flexible couplings to deteriorate sufficiently to result in driveline separation in vehicles with less than 30,000 mile,” the automaker said in a statement.

It describes the risk potential as such:

In the affected vehicles, continuing to operate a vehicle with a cracked flexible coupling may cause separation of the driveshaft, resulting in a loss of motive power while driving or unintended vehicle movement in park without the parking brake applied. In addition, separation of the driveshaft from the transmission can result in secondary damage to surrounding components, including brake and fuel lines. A driveshaft separation may increase the risk of injury or crash.

As a permanent fix isn’t yet available, Ford has issued owners a game plan. If your Transit has less than 30,000 miles on it, simply wait until it reaches that point, after which a Ford dealer will happily install a new flexible coupling free of charge. Should your Transit already have a recently replaced driveshaft or flexible coupling, wait until the components rack up 30,000 miles.

As for owners of Transit with more than 30,000 miles on the odometer, get thee to a Ford dealer for a replacement immediately. The automaker claims “the interim repair will consist of replacing the driveshaft flexible coupling every 30,000 miles until the final repair is available and completed.”

A Securities and Exchange Commission filing uncovered by USA Today shows the recall will set Ford back a cool $142 million. That’s certainly the last thing the automaker needs. Ford has blamed a series of recalls for a steep drop in first-quarter 2017 earnings.

Of the recalled vehicles, 370,630 were sold in the U.S. and 26,254 were shipped to Canada. Another 2,361 Transits found their way to federalized territories, with 3,217 shipped to Mexico. The issue affects medium, long, and extended wheelbases of Transit vans and buses, as well as medium-wheelbase chassis cabs and cutaways.

Soon, Ford must choose between two permanent solutions. The automaker claims it could install “either a redesigned flexible coupling with a modified driveshaft bracket and shield or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint.”

[Image: Ford Motor Company]