2023 Ford Transit Fuel Tank Recall (23V071)
Ford Motor Company · 1,159 vehicles · Reported February 10, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,159 2023 Ford Transit vehicles. The fuel tank grade vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank shell, which can result in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V071 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V071000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23S04 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 10, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023 Ford Transit |
| Units affected | 1,159 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Storage > Tank Assembly |
| Safety risk | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Ford Transit in recall 23V071?
The fuel tank grade vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank shell, which can result in a fuel leak.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Transit vehicles. The fuel tank grade vent valve may not be properly welded to the fuel tank shell, which can result in a fuel leak.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 Transit with recall 23V071?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Transit shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the tank assembly, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V071?
Recall 23V071 covers 1,159 vehicles: 2023 Ford Transit.
NHTSA lists 1,159 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford | Transit |
What is the fix for the Transit fuel tank recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S04.
When was recall 23V071 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V071 to NHTSA on February 10, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 28, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 10, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V071000. |
| March 28, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 44 months ago. If your Transit was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Transit is part of recall 23V071?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V071 is open on your Transit, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 Transit vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Transit owners do about recall 23V071?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V071000 applies to your Transit.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any tank assembly symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Transit owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the fuel system.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the fuel system have been filed since recall 23V071 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 56 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Ford Transit: 56 complaints in total, 3 about the fuel system
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Transit. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V071000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2023 Ford Transit owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11553815, filed November 6, 2023
A very strong gas smell was detected on the vehicle cabin. It lingers for a long time when it seems to be going away, it comes back strong again. This began July 2nd 2024.
2023 Ford Transit owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11599583, filed July 6, 2024
Can recall 23V071 make my Transit a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this tank assembly recall means their Transit qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2023 Ford Transit to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Transit been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Transit recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V071
Is the 23V071000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 28, 2023.
How do I know if my Transit is part of recall 23V071000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V071000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.