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Ford Transit Custom L1H1 280 130hp Trend common faults.

2018–2023, van, diesel, 130 HP.

The list covers this version.

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5 fault write-ups. All are important. No recall on the list.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

5 important faults

critical2

Transit Custom 2.0 TDCi: no response to the accelerator

critical

The engine does not respond to the accelerator: the pedal goes down but the revs do not follow. The cause is damaged insulation on the wiring from the accelerator position sensor, which breaks the signal or makes it noisy.

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The fault can appear while driving, and then the vehicle is left without power in the middle of an overtake or a turn.

What to check

  • With the engine idling, press the pedal slowly and quickly: the revs must follow smoothly
  • While driving, watch for the throttle response dropping out, especially on a rough road
  • Have the fault codes read: an accelerator sensor fault leaves a stored code
1 more steps in the write-up

Transit Custom: a loose bolt in the electric power steering

critical

A bolt in the electric power steering stays loose, and the steering becomes vague: there is a knocking sound and the wheel develops free play.

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The factory remedy is to replace the whole steering gear, not to retighten the bolt.

What to check

  • Stationary, move the wheel in small movements: there must be no free play before the wheels move
  • On a rough road, listen for knocking from the steering column and the steering gear
  • Turn slowly to full lock both ways: the assist must not cut out
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive3

Transit Custom 2.0 TDCi: the turbocharger actuator sticks

expensive

The turbocharger actuator fails and the engine loses power: it accelerates slowly and runs out of pull on a climb. The fault code is P2599.

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The actuator controls the vane position in the turbocharger, and if it does not reach the commanded position the boost either fails to build or overshoots, and the engine management cuts power in response.

What to check

  • Accelerate hard uphill at full throttle: the engine must not run out of pull or drop into limp mode
  • Have the fault codes read and look for P2599 among them
  • Watch the exhaust on start-up: thick blue or black smoke points at a boost fault
1 more steps in the write-up

Transit Custom: an undersized fuse lets the engine overheat

expensive

The cooling fan circuit was given a 20-amp fuse, which blows under even a light load. The fan then does not run and the engine starts to heat up, typically when stationary or in slow city traffic, where there is no airflow.

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The fix is a 30-amp fuse. An engine that overheats for long damages its cylinder head and head gasket.

What to check

  • Idle the engine until it reaches operating temperature: the fan must cut in
  • Watch the temperature gauge in city driving: it must not climb above the middle
  • Check the cooling fan fuse: the 20-amp one is the undersized factory part
1 more steps in the write-up

Transit Custom: first and second gear jump into neutral

expensive

The synchro on first and second gear fails, and under load the gearbox jumps out of gear into neutral. The fault typically shows up when pulling away and during slow manoeuvres, that is where the two lower gears are used most.

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Ford released a repair kit for it, part number 1852724.

What to check

  • Pull away in first under load and hold the gear: it must not jump into neutral
  • In slow manoeuvres, swap between first and second: the gear must engage properly
  • While rolling, change down into second: grating means a worn synchro
1 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Ford Transit Custom L1H1 280 130hp Trend

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
L1H1 280 130hp Trend
Body
van
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
2000 cc
Power
96 kW (131 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2018–2023

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
All Mk1.5 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms