My 2020 Transit has been perfect. No breakdowns and no warranty claims.

Only thing I found not done correctly at the factory was a rubber boot around a wire bundle between the engine compartment and the cab not fully installed. This let a mouse get into the glove box and snack on a bag of almonds on there.

Almost 60k miles on it now. I do my own maintenance. Every oil change and tire rotation gives me a chance to inspect most mechanical items.

 

Only thing I found not done correctly at the factory was a rubber boot around a wire bundle between the engine compartment and the cab not fully installed.

Do they all come this way?

 

Wow, that is extremely encouraging, thank you for sharing! Can I ask what model do you have? Do you have ecoboost? Is it diesel or gas? Thanks!

 

First... welcome to the forum!

We had a 2011 Sprinter and it did have issues; but we also got it with over 100K miles and put another ~100K on it. True to the stories, our issues were more related to the emissions systems than anything else. Those are all covered for 100K miles and I wouldn't expect them to be an issue in the short-term as you describe. All the other issues we had - questionable brakes, replaced transmission, fuel-system issues - all seemed like stuff that can and will happen over 100K miles.

That said, we replaced the Sprinter with a 2020 Long-Tall AWD EcoBoost Transit and it's been good for ~55K miles so far. Some unfortunate minor issues; but nothing that's left us in "limp mode" as the Sprinter did regularly. Much as I like the power-slider I don't mind that our second Transit (2023 Tall AWD EcoBoost) doesn't have the power slider.

We push the van pretty hard - not as hard as the couple of folks here running 500HP or whatever - but we get off-highway and dent and scrape it and expect it to keep performing in rain and snow and ice and heat and cold and it's been flawless for all of that.

Since we bought the second Transit, it's not an exaggeration to say that I'd buy another Transit before buying another Sprinter.

 

Very helpful, thank you! Good to know you like the ecoboost. I've read different opinions, but mostly good.

 

I will buy another Sprinter right after **** freezes over. They are great when operating, but the risk of Yet Another Limp Home was constantly there. Even beyond the unreliability, there is the relative lack of dealers who will service them and the wait times for them to do so. Very happy with Transit so far.

 

I will buy another Sprinter right after **** freezes over. They are great when operating, but the risk of Yet Another Limp Home was constantly there. Even beyond the unreliability, there is the relative lack of dealers who will service them and the wait times for them to do so. Very happy with Transit so far.

Yeah, when I complained to other MB owners the wrap I get is "they are precision vehicles, they are senstiive." I'm like what the ****. So, you spend more money for a vehicle so that it can have more downtime? Makes no sense. I think people just like the MB brand. I don't care about brand. I just want it to work.

 

Very happy with our chariot! Spoke with a (frustrated) Sprinter buddy recently. He cited the usual reasons for his pronounced disappointment and rationale for gravitating toward a Transit: cost of ownership and limping around. My unscientific observation: there are far more (ex)Sprinters going the Transit route than the inverse. What's plagued your initial 5k?

 

Wow, this is very encouraging. You would never get this kind of feebback on the sprinter forum! Right now all I can do is laugh otherwise I would cry. My 2023 sprinter was picked up in San Diego after a prolonged conversion. CEL on when I get to West Texas on my way x country to NC. Less than 2K miles at this point! Take it to Lubbock who clears a NOX sensor code and says everything is fine. Hour down highway and CEL. Take it to Bentonville who replaces a NOX sensor and sends me on my way. Now around 4K miles and just had van multi-point check at MB here in NC and everything fine. Then, with a fully loaded van, including 2 dogs, headed out on the highway for the West coast and guess what?! CEL about an hour into the drive. Turned around and headed back home. Take to MB service center and they say NOX sensor. It has been with MB service center for a week now and tech can't figure it out so now it is in the hands of the virtual MB mothership to advise tech. Only advice so far is to send pics of all 3 NOX sensors. Ugh

 

Normally I wouldn't advise getting rid of something, but used car values being what they are, the vehicle will continue to drop quickly in value over the next few years. It might be best to get it sorted and sell it while the value is relatively high.

As you know, the diesel powertrain is more complicated than a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder gas engine. The 6 cylinder Sprinters had enough power, but they are now discontinued and they only offer a 4 cylinder engine in a van that is 8,000-9,000 lbs when fully built out. Even the high output 4 cylinder diesel (Mercedes' upgraded engine) is slower than the base Transit 6 cylinder gas engine. Also, the Transit is wider and taller than the Sprinter for more interior room.

 

Yeah, gotta know when to walk away. It is still under 100K mile warranty and the builder's warranty. I am just not high enough maintenance of a person for the sprinter

 

It is not just the current transit's, There are million mile 2015s, I know of 500,000 mile problem free ones with no major repairs.
I would be leery of the current transit's because they have become a lot more high tech with lots of added electronics.

 

I'm at 150k with only two issues of concern.
1. Torque converter started going out just a couple thousand miles before warranty expired
2. Sensor in Tranny went bad at about 140k ($25 part, can't get just the part, must purchase new leadframe with it installed, can't purchase just leadframe, must also get attached valve body...$2500 parts and labor).

Everything else was driveway fixable.
I am gentle on my vehicles, other's experiences may vary.

 

I have a 16 Transit pushing 300k, this will be the 3rd transit we have had to hit over 300k.. our 21 Transit had no issue when we transferred it to a different location, that had 150k

24 Sprinter diesel been to the shop twice in the first 5k miles... lol

 

You can sometimes see the model year owned by the poster in their signature. Seems older transits get better reviews.

There is this thread to see some problems reported by some newer Transits too.

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/threads/what-problems-have-you-had-with-your-ford-transit.100175/post-1304691

My 2020T has spent a few weeks at the dealer. You can read about it in that thread. I am happy that the issues it has had came with fair warning and repairs didn't interrupt any trips. I take it far and wide away from homebase.

I wouldn't tolerate the repeat sensor problem you're having with your Sprinter. I can tolerate the Transit issues because I have another late model backup car. I wouldn't have a Transit as my only vehicle.

It drives really nicely. I haven't had the dead battery problem that others have had...due to parasitic load. That would probably send me over the edge.

This forum has taught me some valuable precautions to take to minimize known issues. You'll see that many of us keep a solar panel in the dash when parked for more than a week or two. And many of us place water shields over exposed electrical connectors under the hood. It takes a village to own a reliable Transit IMO.

 

This forum has taught me some valuable precautions to take to minimize known issues. You'll see that many of us keep a solar panel in the dash when parked for more than a week or two. And many of us place water shields over exposed electrical connectors under the hood. It takes a village to own a reliable Transit IMO.

What kind of "water shield" setup do you have on these electrical connectors? Pics? Thanks.

 

140,000 miles here on my '22 AWD 150. Only non-normal thing I've had to replace was the right rear brake caliper. Rest of it is normal maintenance: oil & filter changes, tire rotation, etc.

 

Gives me hope.

 

2020 AWD Ecoboost with zero issues at 36k miles. Well once in a while the Sync 3 infotainment will act a little goofy, but that's it. Love mine. I'd buy another just for the power alone.

 

I used to love German vehicles. I've owned many over the decades. But in the last 15-20 years or so, they've become money pits once the manufacterer warranty runs out.

I've had my Transit for 5 years now. The only problem I've had that wasn't regular maintenance was a phantom power draw with the ignition off that will kill the battery if the van sits for a few weeks. It's easy enough to just drive it once in a while, but since it's a camper build, it was also easy enough to add a trickle charger to the shore power input that keeps all the batteries topped up if it sits. So I just plug it in if I'm not going to be driving it for a while.

 

Also, rear brakes done every 25 to 30K miles.

 

The delivery company that bought my van new, wore out the rear brakes in 18,000 miles. Since replacement I,ve done 40,000 more miles and rears are at 40% as are original front pads.
This is a good example of YMMV.

 

I don’t know if 2017 counts as new but mine has been 100% trouble free except for one nut coming loose on the sliding door. 131k miles so far. Just put on the third set of tires so I’m getting 65k per set (could have gone a little longer). Still hasn’t needed an alignment. They also checked the brakes - both front and rear still have 70% and currently have 40k on them. Engine is the 3.7. It’s used in our painting business and sometimes pulls a trailer.

 

... I am thinking of selling my Sprinter which was recently built out as a campervan and starting over with Ford Transit as my platform,,,

Q: are you thinking a new or used Transit?

I traded in a 2008 Diesel Sprinter (144k mi) for a new 2021 Sprinter. We used it to haul mototcycles from NC to the Rocky Mountains. The only surprise repair was an exhaust system (rusted away). Fuel economy was consistenly 20mpg, not a DEF motor. Hunting for "civialn" Diesel pumps at Interstate truckstops was a pita. In the middle of flyover coutry, we realized there were almost no dealers for Sprinter support (Dodge,MB or Freightliner). We went for an EB gasoline Transit.

Sprinter vs Transit? It's like comparing an MB E300 vs a Ford Taurus, both are good vehicles, one's a bit "nicer" to drive.
Ford dealers & normal gasoline stations are everywhere across the fruited plain. A comforting thought when we travel between 3 different time zones. We bought tires at 44,000mi. Regular maintainence otherwise.

Good luck! - M

THE UPDATED GEN1 ENGINE REMAINS IN PRODUCTION TODAY, POWERING THE FORD TRANSIT ECOBOOST VAN

 

Sprinter vs Transit? It's like comparing an MB E300 vs a Ford Taurus, both are good vehicles, one's a bit "nicer" to drive.
Ford dealers & normal gasoline stations are everywhere across the fruited plain. A comforting thought when we travel between 3 different time zones. We bought tires at 44,000mi. Regular maintainence otherwise.

Having driven both I feel the Transit drives better than the Sprinter. It might not have the fancy quilted leather seats or $10,000 higher price tag, but the Sprinter uses transverse leaf springs up front, the Transit has an independent front suspension with coilovers in front.

 

Transverse leafs don't deliver the same ride or suspension travel as a coilover.

 

Corvettes use transverse leaf springs - in the rear. Have since 1963. Not really applicable to vans though

 

I don't care how "nice" the interior is, a 4 cylinder in a 9,000 lb van is a dealbreaker!

 

Hi Transit Folks - I am thinking of selling my Sprinter which was recently built out as a campervan and starting over with Ford Transit as my platform. I thought Sprinter was super reliable, but that has not been my experience. Apparently it used to be reliable before they changed the diesel engine. So, how would you all rate your newer Transits in terms of reliability?

Overall quality of interior, build consistency, fit and finish, etc. the Sprinter seems to be the winner. The space in the front driver and passenger area seems larger. More foot room, more shoulder room and more room to get to the back from inside. Once back there the Transit is bigger. With the Sprinter you have the whole emissions issue head ache with their diesel.

Ford interior is a little cheaper, and narrower as @Truck mentioned but the drivetrain seems to be more reliable and certainly much more powerful. I still can't understand why Mercedes hasn't dropped a detuned V6 with 4Matic from another model into a Sprinter. The diesel is the only thing keeping me away.

When you look at the forums, both Transit and Sprinter, the Transit forums mention little issues that can be annoying, and the occasional major issue. The Sprinter forums seem to have far more major issues, and way too many people experiencing the phantom "limp home mode, turn it off, restart, maybe it goes away or maybe you need to spend money" mode.

There are two major things to consider when comparing the posted issues about Transits and the posted issues about the Sprinter. In 2023, even with supply chain issues, Ford sold 129,009 Transits in the US. In that same year Mercedes sold 46,229 Sprinters. If they both had the same number of issues, you should see 3 times more complaints on the Transit forum, but you don't.

If something does happen with a Sprinter with the diesel, there are only 200 dealers in the US and you will need to get towed hundreds of miles to the nearest dealer. Heck there are more Ford dealers in Texas alone than there are Sprinter dealers across the country. If something happens with the Transit there are 2,876 dealers in the US.

Food for thought.

 

For the purpose of someone buying a new van, comparing interiors, we should compare apples to apples.

24 Sprinter

24 Transit

 

41k on my 2019 3.5 Ecoboost only needed to replace the sliding door switch. Just changed plugs today without issue. I didn't wait for 2020 knowing they were redesigning the interior didn't know if I could disable start/stop and wanted my own aftermarket stereo. I was planning on trading in at 3 years but Ford QC has gone downhill.

 

@Charissa if you were talking about an empty cargo Sprinter, I'd say trade it for a Transit ASAP. However you've certainly spent a lot of money on your camper conversion, and you'll take a bath on the selling price. It sounds like your biggest problem with the Sprinter is very simple if Mercedes can find the root cause. Sucks that your adventures have had some major interruptions but unless you have a ton of cash to burn, you might want to stick it out with the Sprinter.

FWIW, my dad had a Benz (ok a Smart car EV) and the AC didn't work...it spent many months at the dealer, back and forth with Mercedes engineering. He threatened to invoke the Lemon Law, and just as he was completing the paperwork they figured it out. Just seems like that's how they operate.

 

...Hi Transit Folks - I am thinking of selling my Sprinter which was recently built out as a campervan and starting over with Ford Transit as my platform...

Q: are you thinking a new or used Transit?

👂

 

We owned a Winnebago View we purchased new in 2007 until 2018. It was built on the 2006 chassis with a 5 cylinder engine. We also own a 2002 Mercedes ML320 and a 2017 GLS450, both of which we love. I would never buy another Sprinter though. I became quite a good Sprinter mechanic by necessity. I learned all about limp home mode and how to change a turbo resonator. I changed it out 3 times, finally bought a metal one that couldn’t crack. I learned how to change the fan clutch when the engine started getting too hot. I bought a surplus FedEx diagnostic program and corresponded regularly with Dr A, the guru of Sprinters mechanics but unfortunately there are some things you can’t fix yourself.
When our Sprinter began stalling out for no reason on trips we took it to the dealer in Tucson. They said it needed a new ECU which had to be shipped from Germany. We waited a week, the shipment got embargoed by customs. We finally decided to just risk the drive back to Missoula, made it with only two or three stall outs at freeway speeds. Back in Missoula I did some research, and spoke with Dr A and other Sprinter forum folks that seemed pretty knowledgeable. They all agreed there was likely a short in the wire harness because it was well known they were installed with not enough slack and rubbing on the chassis could expose bare wire. I took it to the Missoula Sprinter dealer and told them about the wire harness issue. The tech’s computer diagnostics said we needed a new ECU. I told them to replace the ECU but I’d be back if that didn’t fix it. The third time I went back, they replaced the wire harness which fixed it.
Bottom line is Sprinters have to go back to dealers for any serious repairs and it will take time and they don’t always get it right. There aren’t a ton of dealers and a lot of them don’t have Sprinter specialists. With a Ford or a Ram, pretty much any town in North America will be able to help you.
We’re looking at buying a van conversion again and hitting the road. Sprinters look cool, have a lot of power and get decent mileage but there’s no way in **** I would buy another one. You can be sure you will need service at some point while you’re out on the road, so my advice is to get something that most places can service. We’re leaning seriously towards a Transit.