Well the sound from the rear end is coming from the drive shaft. Something about a driveshaft adapter. There goes another $600. BTW that airbag sensor came in at $650.

I can't believe Ford sells this van.

 

**** dude, I feel your pain. Good luck.

 

All the brake and tire stuff sounds like bad driving conditions to me. I don't want to get accusational that the driver is a "bad" driver, I don't know the driver, never seen them drive, but if I were to just read those symptoms and compare it to every other driver of the same vehicle, I would assume there is a lot of extra fast acceleration, hard cornering and hard braking or riding the brakes going on. It may not be bad habits, but the area where the van is operated may require driving like that.

As for the other stuff, every vehicle made these days has cheap plastic parts and the lowest cost materials/parts available. Stuff will break. Faulty sensors are the bane of our existence these days. At least it's not worn piston rings or broken camshaft at 50k like the old days.

The storage shelf is a wonder of bad modern design. Mine also flops around, but not "violently" (and I'm on CA roads, basically a bunch of connected potholes and patches, because they spent all their money on perks and benefits for the highway department employees instead of fixing the roads, but that's another story...). I'm planning on "fixing" mine by removing the cheap plastic "brace" and replacing it with aluminum square tubing, and removing/replacing the useless center console.

I am aware of the guibo issue, and will have one on hand to replace at about 50k. Maybe there will be a quality aftermarket one soon.

Sorry for the late response. I don't visit this forum as often.

I also thought it might be the drivers but we have 2 other e-350 extended lengths and the tires and brakes wear normally. It's just disappointing that's all. The van is used to transport people back and forth between a hotel and an airport. It's a 3 mile ride one way with speeds never exceeding 50mph.

I like ford but the transit platform doesn't seem to up to the task of heavy commercial use. We'll probably be going back to the F series shuttles.

 

the drive shaft adapter (guibo) is a common well known problem http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...orum.com/ford-transit-general-discussion/17473-giubo-cracking-hidden-topic.html

 

All the brake and tire stuff sounds like bad driving conditions to me. I don't want to get accusational that the driver is a "bad" driver, I don't know the driver, never seen them drive, but if I were to just read those symptoms and compare it to every other driver of the same vehicle, I would assume there is a lot of extra fast acceleration, hard cornering and hard braking or riding the brakes going on. It may not be bad habits, but the area where the van is operated may require driving like that.

As for the other stuff, every vehicle made these days has cheap plastic parts and the lowest cost materials/parts available. Stuff will break. Faulty sensors are the bane of our existence these days. At least it's not worn piston rings or broken camshaft at 50k like the old days.

The storage shelf is a wonder of bad modern design. Mine also flops around, but not "violently" (and I'm on CA roads, basically a bunch of connected potholes and patches, because they spent all their money on perks and benefits for the highway department employees instead of fixing the roads, but that's another story...). I'm planning on "fixing" mine by removing the cheap plastic "brace" and replacing it with aluminum square tubing, and removing/replacing the useless center console.

I am aware of the guibo issue, and will have one on hand to replace at about 50k. Maybe there will be a quality aftermarket one soon.

 

Fwiw.. I have had none of these issues., except driveshaft coupler. First drive shaft coupler was replaced under powertrain warranty at 60 k..., replacement needed replacing out about 145 k. I paid $0 to replace both of them. Ford parts come with a two-year unlimited mileage guarantee, so if this one cracks again within two years I'll get it replaced for free also.

Original tires lasted me until 88 k. Second set lasted 60k. However, because I didn't rotate them properly, rear tires wear out quicker, front tires still have tread left on them at 60 k.

Still original brakes on front and rear, mechanic tells me there's still some pad left. Rotors look good.

Replace windshield due to a crack. Also there was that air box recall thing...need to check to see if it is still collecting water after replacement.

Also, I have a trailer light fuse that has blown a couple times.

Van now has 150k on it.

Nate

 

FWIW, we have none of these issues and couldn't be more thrilled with our wagon. We bought it with 30,000 miles and have added 25,000 more just since February.

It still has the brakes pads, rotors, and tires we got it with. At 55,000 miles now, I will be putting new (larger) tires on in the next few weeks. My wife went through brakes every 15-20,00 miles in her Town & Country, she's doing much better with the Transit!

Our 3.7 V6 is stellar, it's a great engine used in multiple Ford vehicles.

I'm sorry yours has given you troubles, but if the Transit was such a terrible vehicle there would not be so many happy owners here and in Europe where they've been popular for years.

 

I haven't had mine long enough (6k mi) to say much about reliability, but considering this is a first model year vehicle that's not too shabby. It's not as if the transmission or engine has gone...While down time and issues suck, compared to the issues on Fiat Chrysler boards, Honda boards, and GM boards we are relatively lucky. As for brake pads and rotors are you using the OEM replacements still?

 

85,000 miles already. It could be you are carrying excessive weight. Any chance your 15 passengers need to mix in a few salads once in a while?

 

LOL. Still the trip would only last 7 minutes and the shuttle makes it's way back to the airport with just the driver. Around half of the 85,000 miles were with just 1 driver in the van.

 

wish this message board had a selection of "likes" like facebook does now. Sometimes "like" doesn't correctly convey lol, sadness, anger, co-misery, nonplussed, ennuie, or other nuanced feelings.

 

I'm waiting to see how long the brakes last on my 350 wagon. I got 200k out of my suburban front pads. 221k out of the rears. The transit always has excessive brake dust on the wheels and covers. It's hard to keep the wheels clean. I had little to no brake dust issues on the burb

 

Aha!

A key word was mentioned: DRIVERS!
When vehicles are used by employees, they are abused by employees. Kind of the same thing with Sprinters; when used as fleet vehicles and driven by employees, they break down a lot, go through brakes and tires at twice the normal rate, etc. When driven by OWNERS both Sprinters and Transits do just fine.

I think the old econolines were detuned and built in a way to make it hard for malicious and mentally handicapped employees to destroy them. Even though they would try, anyway.

 

That's what I thought to but the other E-350 shuttles don't have a tenth of the problems the transit does. There is no way I can recommend this van to anyone. BTW, a couple other hotels bought the Transit extended length high roof with the ecoboost. They don't have anything good to say about them...

The Ford Transit was not designed for heavy commercial use. As a cargo van or even the normal low roof normal wheelbase passenger van might be okay. However, the Ford Transit IS NOT designed for heavy commercial use.

 

What engine do you have?

If it is an Ecoboost V6, then it would be easy to abuse.

Maybe less power would require less brake usage.

Do agree that these newer more efficient and lighter vehicles may not prove to be as bullet proof as the older E vans.

 

The transit brakes ten times better than any van before it.

 

The Transit pound for pound out brakes my SUV that's ~4000lbs lighter, and definitely seems as if the brakes will last longer (I have to replace the pads and rotors every 20k on that car). It sounds as if you may need to upgrade to severe duty pads that don't have quite as much bite but last longer. CENTRIC 10617740 Posi-Quiet Extended Wear Long Life pads which I had on a 2009 Pontiac G6 when I was driving 25k a year. Had those things on when I traded it in 70k later vs. blowing through OEM pads at 20k. Wagner and Bendix also make severe duty pads if you want to try and eliminate the problem.

 

My new 2017 Transit is the worst braking vehicle I have owned since the 80's. In fact my 3500 Dodge diesel which weighs almost twice as much as the Transit brakes much better and shorter.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

I will add a bit if context...I am a shipper/expediter so 99% of my miles are long steady jaunts on the interstate. I've also become very good at coasting to a stop at off ramps, and using engine braking to minimize brake use on downgradess.

Not uncommon for me to go 50, 60, or even 100mi without touching the brakes. So I realize my brake wear is probably not normal.

As far as brake power...I have not noticed any issues. Stops fine and no problems when loaded or with small trailers(is. No trailer brakes).

Nate

 

Not uncommon for me to go 50, 60, or even 100mi without touching the brakes. So I realize my brake wear is probably not normal.
Nate

Your use is not normal, also the OP use as an airport shuttle is not "normal" also...

That's what I thought to but the other E-350 shuttles don't have a tenth of the problems the transit does.
However, the Ford Transit IS NOT designed for heavy commercial use.

Your experience is one that Ford needs to pay attention to. They will need to beef up the brakes, drivetrain etc for this heavy commercial market.

I've been in a lot of airport shuttles. They are driven hard and braked hard. So your experience is uniquely different scenario than 99% of transit owners. That said if you buy a 15 pax van it should be as tough as the Eseries it replaced.

 

people here in this forum have complained about the brake pads wearing out before, i saved someone elses link for ceramic pads just incase i ever needed any: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...7683,brake/wheel+hub,brake+pad,1684?a=Referer+www.fordtransitusaforum.com+URL+/ use the search box to find the original forum thread

 

LOL. So back in the shop with a check engine light. Something about a cam shaft causing the check engine light and they need to tear down the engine... There goes at least $1500 to get it fixed.

BTW Ecoboost engine. I'm shopping for another shuttle and I can't wait to get rid of this thing.

 

Probably best to just buy a Startrans shuttle van, which is purpose-built. I think most are on 3 ton cab/chassis frames.

 

it was never designed to be a passenger van in the first place, that was just something ford cobbled together to get additional sales for there transit line of work vans, probably 90 percent of transit sales are for a medium duty commercial work van that gets decent mpg

 

Good fuel economy is a nice bonus for a fleet of vehicles, but not at the expense of down-time. Better to get 8mpg and the wheels rolling all the time. Cost of fuel shouldn't be a major consideration for a shuttle service, anyway, since most shuttle vehicles get around the same range.

 

Biggest mistake was getting the EcoBoost when employees are driving the van. Of course they'll drive the sh*t out of it. Hard acceleration then hard braking. No big mystery.

With employees you should stick to the 3.7 engine. It's more than adequate for a shuttle service.

BTW the Transit is a great commercial vehicle. I haul expedited freight and I have over 120,000 miles on mine.

???

 

Biggest mistake was getting the EcoBoost when employees are driving the van. Of course they'll drive the sh*t out of it. Hard acceleration then hard braking. No big mystery.

With employees you should stick to the 3.7 engine. It's more than adequate for a shuttle service.

BTW the Transit is a great commercial vehicle. I haul expedited freight and I have over 120,000 miles on mine.

������

That's what I thought as well when we first started having brake and tire wear issues. I installed a GPS monitoring system that reports back multiple different readings. Two of the ones I was most interested with was heavy acceleration and heavy breaking. To my surprise there were rarely any incidents reported, and yes, I tested to make sure it reports properly.

The transit may as well be a great commercial LONG DISTANCE HAULER. But, it's not made for short trips with a van full of people. Many of the other hotels report the same issues with their new Transit 350s.

 

My most rude awakening was riding in one of my vans with the employing driving. It was almost like he was (on a dirt road) trying to show me his NASCAR skills. In shock I didn't say a word, but came to a sudden realization that having the vehicles left back at the shop rather than assigning them was the better way. Then there was the deer in the grill episode……….

 

Unclebob, have you had a transmission flush yet?

 

Not yet, probably get it done over Christmas shutdown.

Sent from my PURE XL using Tapatalk

 

BTW, the heater isn't working anymore and the check engine light is on AGAIN. Lovely...

 

I have a 2015 Transit T350 High Roof, extended length that I use primarily on a commuter service M-F. It's a 30 mile leg each way, so 60 mile round trip - mostly highway. It does do a lot of airport shuttle work on the weekends (usually Boston). I have 35,000 miles on it with original tires and brakes. I am the main driver of it, so that may help. I stay under 70mph and don't heavily accelerate or brake hard. I do expect to replace all 6 tires and brakes within the next 5,000 miles. My only complaint has been the poor design of the interior ceiling panels, and the abysmal design of the step bar getting out of the passenger side sliding door. It looks like it's wider on the 2017s, which is a much better design.

I probably wouldn't buy one again. It's not really a *true* 15 passenger. The last row of 4 seats isn't designed for adults. The seats are narrower than the rest, and has the rear wheel well that leave no leg room. For my application, the 2 foot longer Sprinter may be a better choice. I just wish they weren't double the price!

 

If they're double the price just buy 2 fords.