Ford Transit Connect Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
Avoid the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 Ford Transit Connect based on NHTSA complaint and recall data. The 2014 has the highest complaint index (100) and 15 recalls, while 2021 and 2022 have the lowest complaint indexes (0 and 8) and are the best years to buy.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2019Best 2011Best 2021Best 2022
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 569
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 21
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Structure & Body
Transit Connect Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Transit Connect problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 69 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 23 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 46 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 2★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 54 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 23 | 2★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 127 | 3 | 1 | 15 | Structure & Body | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 10 | Structure & Body | 24 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 92 | 104 | 1 | 1 | 10 | Visibility & Wipers | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 38 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 31 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 77 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 62 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25.5 | — |
Transit Connect years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Ford Transit Connect Index 100 · 127 complaints · 15 recalls
NHTSA lists 127 complaints for the 2014 Transit Connect, the most of any year, with a complaint index of 100 and 15 recall campaigns. Structure & Body issues dominate, making up 35 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,825 miles. Owners report door latches cracking and failing to hold doors shut, a rear-camera image going black during reverse, and a fuel system flap that fails to seal, causing gasoline odor and evaporative emission fault codes. One owner also reported an engine fire tied to a recall the dealer said did not apply to their vehicle.
2014 structure & body problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2016 Ford Transit Connect Index 92 · 104 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2016 Transit Connect shows 104 complaints and a complaint index of 92, with 10 recall campaigns. Visibility & Wipers issues top the list at 21 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,000 miles. Owners report engine stalling at highway speed accompanied by a warning chime, an instrument panel going blank alongside steering wheel seizing, and a fuel-efficiency shortfall compared to the EcoBoost engine's rated figures. One complaint describes a vehicle catching fire and burning down to its frame.
2016 visibility & wipers problems →2016 brakes problems →2016 structure & body problems →
2015 Ford Transit Connect Index 85 · 66 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2015 model year has 66 complaints and a complaint index of 85, with 10 recalls. Structure & Body problems lead at 33 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 34,560 miles. Owners report rear doors swinging open while driving at low speed, gear shifters seizing during reverse and causing rollaway crashes, and airbags failing to deploy in frontal collisions. Recalls cover door latches, a shift cable bushing, and a rearview camera issue shared with several other Ford models.
2019 Ford Transit Connect Index 77 · 51 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2019 model year has 51 complaints and a complaint index of 77, with 8 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems lead at 47 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 83,000 miles; Brakes follow at 37 percent with a median mileage of 19,500. Owners report brakes causing the vehicle to lunge forward before stopping, pre-collision assist engaging without warning, and airbags failing to deploy in a multi-vehicle crash. A recall addresses powertrain control module software after an earlier repair attempt failed to fix the issue.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 brakes problems →
Most common Ford Transit Connect problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Structure & Body105 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain99 (17%)
- Brakes86 (15%)
- Electrical System82 (14%)
- Engine76 (13%)
- Other76 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers72 (13%)
- Steering32 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras25 (4%)
- Fuel System22 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Ford Transit Connect should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, avoid the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 Transit Connect. The 2014 model has the highest complaint index (100), the most complaints (127), and the most recalls (15) of any year.
- What is the best year for the Ford Transit Connect?
- NHTSA data points to 2021 and 2022 as the best years, with complaint indexes of 0 and 8 and only 8 and 6 complaints respectively. The 2011 model is also rated Best, with a complaint index of 23.
- Does the Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the second most common problem area across all model years, accounting for 99 of 569 complaints (17 percent). The 2019 model year is especially affected, with Transmission & Powertrain making up 47 percent of its complaints.
- Are there recalls on the Ford Transit Connect door latches?
- Yes. Recall campaign 23V502000 covers 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles where the front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching, with dealers replacing the latches free of charge.
- How many complaints does the Ford Transit Connect have overall?
- NHTSA lists 569 total complaints across 14 model years (2010-2023) and 31 recall campaigns. Structure & Body is the top problem area overall, accounting for 105 complaints (18 percent).