Recall 15V865 affects 1,170 2015 Ford Transit dual-rear-wheel vehicles for rear axle drive shaft fractures. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 1,170 2015 Transit vehicles with dual rear wheels because a rear axle drive shaft can fracture, causing loss of drive power. The same defect can let a parked vehicle roll if the parking brake is not applied, increasing crash risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle shaft on a 2015 Ford Transit with dual rear wheels is the solid driveline part that carries turning force from the rear axle assembly to the wheels. When it is intact, engine power moves through the driveline, through the axle shaft, and into the rear wheels so the van accelerates and holds its position through the parked drivetrain when the parking brake is not applied.
On affected Transit vans, the rear drive axle shafts were not made correctly during forging. Ford traced returned fractured shafts to unacceptable material grain flow inside the metal, which weakens the shaft. Under driving loads, the shaft can fracture, cutting drive power to the rear wheels. If the van is parked without the parking brake applied, the broken shaft also leaves it able to roll unexpectedly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be a sudden loss of drive power, or movement after parking if the parking brake is not set.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Ford Transit | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,170 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Ford Transit van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway after parking can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the problem. If your VIN is included, schedule the axle drive shaft replacement soon and use the parking brake when parked. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Ford Transit with dual rear wheels is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free left and right axle drive shaft replacement that fixes the fracture risk and loss of drive power.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V865 when you call.
- Use the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 if you need help finding a dealer or confirming the repair path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the left and right axle drive shafts covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford says out of pocket repairs for this concern are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. If you already have repair paperwork for this issue, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to that prior work.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 22, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 22, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| December 22, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 8, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 8, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V865?
Recall 15V865 covers 1,170 2015 Ford Transit vehicles with dual rear wheels, built from May 1, 2015, to June 26, 2015. The rear axle drive shafts can fracture, causing loss of drive power or rollaway after parking. Ford dealers replace both axle drive shafts for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Ford Transit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 15V865. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the left and right rear axle drive shafts. Reference Ford recall number 15S37 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the left and right axle drive shafts free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the covered recall repair.
Is it safe to drive my 2015 Ford Transit before the axle shaft repair?
Recall 15V865 does not include a do-not-drive order, but the defect can cause loss of drive power and raise crash risk. Until the repair is complete, use the parking brake every time you park, and ask the Ford dealer for guidance if the van feels unsafe to move.
What if I bought my Ford Transit used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Transit is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 15V865 or Ford recall number 15S37.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V865000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V865 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V865000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →