Where is the BLIS sensor on a Ford Transit?
The BLIS sensors on a Ford Transit are typically housed in the exterior side mirrors on both the left and right sides. There are no separate BLIS sensors mounted in the bumper or doors on standard configurations that support the system.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) uses radar sensors integrated into the mirror assemblies to monitor traffic in adjacent lanes. Whether your Transit has BLIS depends on the model year, trim level, and market, and it is often bundled with a driver-assist package such as Cross-Traffic Alert.
Location and hardware
Mirror-mounted sensors
The BLIS hardware is built into each exterior mirror housing. In Transit vans that are equipped with BLIS, you should not see separate sensors on the doors or bumper—the mirrors themselves contain the sensing components.
To help visually confirm their location, review the following:
- One radar sensor is integrated into each exterior mirror on the left and right sides.
- These sensors are usually located at the mirror housing, often near the base or embedded within the mirror assembly.
- Some mirror designs include a small BLIS indicator on the mirror itself; you may also see related alerts on the instrument cluster when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot.
- BLIS availability varies by market, trim level, and option packages; if your Transit doesn’t have BLIS, it may not be installed on your VIN.
If you don’t locate mirror-mounted sensors or you don’t see any BLIS indicators, check your vehicle’s manual or contact a Ford dealer to confirm whether BLIS is installed for your specific vehicle and region.
How to verify BLIS is active
Once you know where the hardware lives, you can verify operation using these indicators and steps:
- Turn on the vehicle and ensure the BLIS feature is enabled in the driver-assist settings if your model year requires it.
- Look for a BLIS indicator light in the corresponding exterior mirror; many Transit models display a small icon when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot.
- In typical setups, signaling a lane change with a vehicle in the blind spot may trigger an audible chime and a visual alert on the instrument cluster.
If you don’t see indicators or alerts activate when there is a vehicle in the blind spot, the system may be disabled, malfunctioning, or not installed on your vehicle. Refer to the owner’s manual or contact a Ford dealer for diagnosis and potential updates or activation.
Summary
For Ford Transit models equipped with BLIS, the sensors are mounted in the exterior mirrors on both sides. The system relies on radar sensors integrated into the mirror housings, with availability dependent on market, trim, and optional packages. Always verify with your manual or dealer for your exact vehicle configuration.
