YearToAvoid

2010 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

69/100

#5 most-complained of 14 Transit Connect years

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect has 42 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th worst among 14 model years. It carries a "Caution" verdict, with brakes (26% of complaints) and electrical system issues (24%) the top concerns, plus 2 recalls.

Complaints
42
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
22 city / 25 hwy

Top 2010 Ford Transit Connect problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes11 (26%)
  2. Electrical System10 (24%)
  3. Structure & Body8 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain8 (19%)
  5. Engine6 (14%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers5 (12%)
  7. Steering3 (7%)
  8. Other2 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report brake pedals feeling hard with no ABS activation during hard stops, leading to collisions.
  • Front brake pads and rotors have reportedly worn out prematurely, sometimes needing replacement again by around 39,800 miles.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle rolling away after being placed in Park.
  • Steering complaints mention half-shaft failures leading to loss of control and rollover.
  • Electrical issues include the PCM losing programming after the vehicle sits unused, preventing restart.
  • One owner reported an engine fire while the vehicle was parked, at 12,750 miles.
2010 Ford Transit Connect complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2010Jun 2011Oct 2012Sep 2013Aug 2015May 2017Oct 2018May 2023
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2010 to Mar 2025; peak Mar 2011 (4).

2010 Ford Transit Connect recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V169000Apr 17, 2012Other34 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Main mobility is recalling certain conversion vans built on model year 2008-2010 chevrolet express, 2009 gmc savana, and 2010 ford transit connect chassis, and fitted with certain braun wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the wheelchair liftâ’s outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

    Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairâ’s occupant could fall and sustain injury.

    Remedy: Main mobility is working with braun to notify owners, and braun dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. Main mobility has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

  2. NHTSA 10V316000Jul 7, 2010Structure & Body33,728 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 transit connect vehicles manufactured from december 5, 2008 through may 31, 2010 for failing to meet the minimum requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during vehicle testing the vehicle exceeded head injury criteria requirements set by the standard. The headliner retention pushpin located on the headliner above the b-pillar trim on both the left and right side of the vehicles needs to be replaced.

    Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on july 19, 2010. Owners may contact ford motor company at 1-866-436-7332.

2010 Ford Transit Connect fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Transit Connect years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution6942223
2011Best2324122
2012Good4626123

All Ford Transit Connect years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
NHTSA data shows 42 complaints and a complaint index of 69 for the 2010 Transit Connect, placing it 5th worst out of 14 model years tracked. It carries a "Caution" verdict relative to other Transit Connect years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Ford Transit Connect?
Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 26% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 17,000 miles. Electrical system issues follow closely at 24% of complaints.
Does the 2010 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Transit Connect: one for wheelchair lift conversions and one for a structural issue failing to meet occupant protection standards (FMVSS 201).
How does the 2010 Transit Connect compare to other years?
The 2010 model's complaint index of 69 is higher than the 2011 (23), 2012 (46), and 2017 (38) model years, but lower than the 2014 model year, which has the worst complaint index at 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.