Recall 16V331 affects 2 2015 Ford Transit vehicles with Ricon wheelchair lifts that can crack or separate. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 2 2015 Transit vehicles equipped with Ricon wheelchair lifts because cracked platform side plates or loose bearing alignment can let the lift platform separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall onto the operator and raise the risk of injury; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on the 2015 Ford Transit is the powered platform that raises and lowers a wheelchair or mobility device between the ground and the van floor. Its side plates help hold the platform square, while the folding link arms guide the platform through its travel and keep the moving joints aligned.
On affected Transits, the platform side plate on certain Ricon S2000, S5000, and S5500 Series lifts can crack. The same lifts also have folding link arms with pivot holes that are too large. That oversized opening lets the bearings move out of position, so the arm joint no longer carries and guides the load the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. A cracked side plate or shifted bearing can leave the lift unstable during use, so the defect matters most when someone is boarding, exiting, or being lifted.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Ford Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific van.
What's the safety risk?
When platform side plates crack or the platform mount fails from displaced bearings, the wheelchair lift platform can separate and rest against the vehicle's lift door. Opening the doors can let the platform fall onto the lift operator, increasing injury risk. Keep people clear of the lift door while arranging inspection. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Ford Transit is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free wheelchair-lift inspection and repair, which addresses cracked platform side plates and displaced link-arm bearings.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V331 when you call.
- Keep people clear of the wheelchair lift platform until the repair is complete.
- Call 1-800-527-7477 with questions about scheduling or the repair process.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the wheelchair lift link arms for damage and checks whether the bearings have moved out of position. The technician also inspects the lift platform for cracks. Any damaged lift parts are replaced free under the recall. The filing lists a general reimbursement plan, so owners who already paid out of pocket for this lift repair should ask the service desk how to submit documented expenses for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 20, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 15, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V331?
Recall 16V331 covers 2 2015 Ford Transit vehicles equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plate can crack, and link-arm bearings can move out of position. If the platform separates, it can fall when the doors open, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2015 Ford Transit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Transit is included in recall 16V331. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the Ricon wheelchair lift inspection. The dealer will inspect the platform and link arms, then replace damaged parts for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost to the owner. For recall 16V331, dealers inspect the Ricon wheelchair lift link arms, bearings, and platform, then replace any damaged parts free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V331?
The risk is injury to the lift operator. If the platform side plates crack or the mounting fails because bearings move out of position, the platform can separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for visible cracks in the wheelchair lift platform side plates, unusual movement at the link arms, or a platform that does not sit securely. Do not rely on a visible sign to decide coverage. Check your VIN and have the dealer inspect the lift.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V331000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-527-7477 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V331 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V331000 |
Source documents
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 →