Ford Transit Connect reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 570 complaints about the Ford Transit Connect with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and other or unspecified. Ford has filed 0 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 31 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Transit Connect? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Transit Connect a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 570
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 0
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 31
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Transit Connect with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 | Engine (33%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 9 | Transmission and drivetrain (56%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 32 | Transmission and drivetrain (31%) | 8 | 1 |
| 2019 | 51 | Transmission and drivetrain (47%) | 8 | 1 |
| 2018 | 22 | Brakes (23%) | 6 | 2 |
| 2017 | 28 | Electrical system (18%) | 6 | 2 |
| 2016 | 104 | Electrical system (13%) | 10 | 2 |
| 2015 | 66 | Body and structure (20%) | 10 | 3 |
| 2014 | 127 | Body and structure (22%) | 15 | 0 |
| 2013 | 32 | Transmission and drivetrain (22%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2012 | 26 | Engine (23%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 24 | Visibility and wipers (25%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 42 | Transmission and drivetrain (19%) | 2 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Transit Connect model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Transit Connect, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Service campaignSep 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2015
Customer Satisfaction Program 26M02 Certain 2015 Model Year Transit Connect Vehicles with 2.5L Engine Catalytic Converter Replacement, If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignApr 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2015–2018
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015–2022
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Transit Connect model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain100 (18%)
- Other or unspecified74 (13%)
- Electrical system68 (12%)
- Body and structure64 (11%)
- Engine52 (9%)
- Brakes42 (7%)
- Visibility29 (5%)
- Doors, latches and locks28 (5%)
Safety recalls
31 recalls cover at least one Transit Connect model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay engine cooling and result in engine overheating.
An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detaching from the vehicle.
The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.
An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which may result in the panel separating from the vehicle.
The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve.
The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.
And 16 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2014–2016
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- PE16001Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2016, closed Oct 2016· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2014–2016
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 16V643000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2024 Ford Transit Connect has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Transit Connect reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 570 owner complaints, 0 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns Ford filed, and 31 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2014 (127), 2016 (104), 2015 (66). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Transit Connect?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (18%), other or unspecified (13%), electrical system (12%). Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Transit Connect with NHTSA.
Which Transit Connect model years have the most complaints?
2014 (127), 2016 (104), 2015 (66). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Transit Connect with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Transit Connect?
Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Transit Connect with NHTSA in the years we hold.
How do I check recalls on a Transit Connect?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 31 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.