What is the negative point on a Ford Transit Custom?
The main negatives commonly cited for the Ford Transit Custom are a firmer ride when loaded, interior materials and design quality in lower trims, and varying levels of engine and infotainment refinement, along with mounting running costs.
These criticisms come from automotive reviews and owner feedback across different generations and configurations. They are weighed against the Transit Custom’s strengths in cargo space, practicality, and reliability, with the impact of each drawback depending on your specific use, trim level, and payload requirements.
Common drawbacks cited by reviewers
Across several generations, reviewers highlight a set of recurring negatives. The following points are frequently mentioned by automotive press and owners:
- Ride and handling with payload: A firm or busier ride can occur when the van is loaded, especially with stiffer suspension or larger wheels, which can affect comfort on uneven roads.
- Interior quality and materials: Base or lower-trim interiors often use harder plastics and less premium finishing, while higher trims improve perceived quality and insulation.
- Engine refinement and noise: Diesel engines can sound and feel noisier at idle or under acceleration, with refinement varying by engine choice and load.
- Infotainment and electronics: Older or budget setups may feel slow to respond, and some owners report inconsistent smartphone integration and menu responsiveness.
- Cargo access and practicality: Depending on configuration, loading height, door design, and step-in height can impact daily practicality and ease of use for frequent loading/unloading.
- Running costs and maintenance: While generally reliable, running costs—such as servicing, parts, and tire wear—can be higher than some compact vans, particularly for high-mileage fleets.
- Depreciation and resale value: Like many fleet-focused vehicles, depreciation can be a consideration, especially for early-generation vans with higher mileage.
In summary, these drawbacks should be weighed against the Transit Custom’s strong points such as cargo capacity, payload flexibility, and overall practicality.
Mitigation and buying tips
To minimize these issues when shopping or operating a Transit Custom, consider the following strategies. These tips assume you’re choosing a version that fits typical business needs and payload requirements:
- Test with a representative payload: Take a test drive with the typical load you expect to carry to assess ride quality, handling, and noise levels.
- Choose trim wisely: Higher trims often deliver better interior materials, design, and tech, which can reduce perceived negatives.
- Check infotainment and connectivity: If you rely on smartphones for navigation or apps, verify that the infotainment system meets your needs and that wireless CarPlay/Android Auto (if available) works reliably in your chosen spec.
- Inspect for wear and service history: Review maintenance records and inspect interior plastics and seating for wear, particularly on older or higher-mileage examples.
- Evaluate total cost of ownership: Consider fuel economy for your duty cycle, maintenance costs, insurance, and expected resale value to gauge long-term affordability.
Following these steps can help buyers and operators select a Transit Custom configuration that best aligns with their work demands while mitigating common criticisms.
Summary
The Ford Transit Custom remains a popular mid-size van due to its cargo space, versatility, and reliability. Its notable negatives typically center on a firmer ride under load, interior quality in lower trims, and varying levels of engine/infotainment refinement, with running costs influenced by configuration and usage. For many buyers, these drawbacks are balanced by strong practicality and total cost of ownership when paired with careful spec choices and fleet planning.
What to look for when buying a Ford Transit Custom?
Buying a used Ford Transit Custom requires more than just a quick test drive. Begin with a close look at the bodywork; rust around wheel arches, tired paintwork, or inconsistent panel gaps may indicate previous damage.
Where is the negative on Ford Transit Custom?
Body such as an exposed bolt as you see. Here. You may need to remove some paint first in order to get a proper.
What are the common faults with Ford Transit Custom?
Ford Transit Custom: 10 Common Problems
- Clutch and Gearbox Woes.
- Electrical Gremlins.
- Diesel Particulate Filter Dilemmas.
- Turbocharger Troubles.
- Cooling System Concerns.
- Suspension Snags.
- Brake Blues.
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve Woes.
How reliable is the Ford Transit Custom?
How reliable is a Ford Transit Custom? Ford Transit Custom's have a extremely good reliability rating of 841/999.
