Ford Transit Connect Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
Ford Transit Connect years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019, each with a complaint index of 77 or higher and 8 to 15 recall campaigns. The 2018, 2021, and 2022 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 23 or lower.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2019Best 2018Best 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 | 62 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 31 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 54 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 2★ |
| 2013 | Good | 46 | 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 | Best | 23 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 77 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 69 | 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
The 2014 Transit Connect has the highest complaint index of the lineup at 100 and carries 15 recall campaigns, more than any other year. Structure & Body issues dominate, making up 35% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,825 miles. Owners describe door latches that crack and won't hold doors shut, a recall-related fix. Other reports cover electrical faults, fuel system leaks that owners say smell strongly of gasoline near the evap flap, and a rearview camera that intermittently goes black. One owner reported a vehicle fire tied to an engine recall dispute.
2014 structure & body problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2016 Ford Transit Connect Index 92 · 104 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2016 Transit Connect posts a complaint index of 92 with 10 recall campaigns. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 21% of complaints, median 48,000 miles, alongside Brakes and Structure & Body each near 16%. Owners describe engine stalling at highway speed with warning chimes, a vehicle fire that reduced the van to a burned frame, and a steering wheel that seized while the instrument panel went blank, traced to a defective fuse box wiring harness. Fuel economy complaints also appear, with owners reporting mileage below the advertised EPA rating.
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 a complaint index of 85 and 10 recall campaigns. Structure & Body problems account for 33% of complaints at a median 34,560 miles, with owners reporting doors that swing open unexpectedly while driving at low speed. Transmission & Powertrain complaints, at a median 99,398 miles, include gear shifters that seized and caused rollaway crashes. Airbags failing to deploy in frontal and side collisions were also reported. Recalls cover latches, shifter cable bushings, and rearview cameras.
2019 Ford Transit Connect Index 77 · 51 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2019 model year has a complaint index of 77 and 8 recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 47% of complaints at a median 83,000 miles, followed by Brakes at 37% with a median 19,500 miles. Owners describe brake pedals that were depressed while the vehicle lunged forward before stopping, and airbags that failed to deploy in a multi-vehicle crash. Electrical complaints include a guard function alarm that repeatedly and falsely triggered. Recalls address powertrain control module software and rearview camera issues.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 brakes problems →
Most common Ford Transit Connect problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford Transit Connect years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 as years to avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 77 to 100 and between 8 and 15 recall campaigns each.
- What is the best year for the Ford Transit Connect?
- The 2018, 2021, and 2022 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 23, 0, and 8 and far fewer complaints than the avoid years.
- Why is the 2014 Ford Transit Connect rated Avoid?
- It has the highest complaint index (100) of any Transit Connect year and 15 recall campaigns, with Structure & Body issues like cracking door latches making up 35% of its complaints.
- Does the Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area for 2019 (47% of complaints, median 83,000 miles) and also affect 2015, with a shifter cable bushing recall covering 2013-2021 models.
- Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
- The 2016 model has a complaint index of 92 and 10 recalls, ranking it among the years to avoid, with Visibility & Wipers problems the most reported issue.