YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

23/100

#11 most-complained of 14 Transit Connect years

The 2011 Ford Transit Connect ranks 11th out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 23 and a Best verdict relative to other years. It had 24 complaints, 1 recall, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

Complaints
24
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
21 city / 25 hwy

Top 2011 Ford Transit Connect problems

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

  1. Engine6 (25%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers6 (25%)
  3. Brakes5 (21%)
  4. Electrical System5 (21%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (17%)
  6. Other1 (4%)
  7. Steering1 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Traction control could not be manually disabled, causing the vehicle to stall or refuse to move on inclines or when tires spun slightly.
  • Windshield wiper arms detached or came off the glass while driving in rain, sharply reducing visibility.
  • Cruise control sometimes dropped below the set speed on the highway and then surged well past it before the driver disengaged it.
  • Brakes failed to stop the vehicle when applied at low speed, with the issue persisting even after brake replacement.
  • Wheel bearings and sway bar components failed repeatedly, with owners reporting the same repair needed multiple times.
  • Front turn signal bulbs stopped working due to shorting inside the headlight bucket housing.
2011 Ford Transit Connect complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2012Feb 2013Aug 2013May 2014Aug 2015Nov 2015Mar 2019Mar 2020
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2012 to Mar 2026; peak Jul 2018 (4).

2011 Ford Transit Connect recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V374000Aug 2, 2012Visibility & Wipers16,330 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer

    Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm.

    Risk: If the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

2011 Ford Transit Connect fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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.

2011 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
2013Caution5432423

All Ford Transit Connect years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 model has a complaint index of 23, the lowest among the 14 model years compared, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Transit Connect years.
Does the 2011 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall for 2011, covering wiper arms that may not be adequately riveted, which can cause incomplete wiper clearing or detachment.
What is the most common problem area for the 2011 Transit Connect?
Engine and Visibility & Wipers issues are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 25% of the 24 complaints filed.
What year Ford Transit Connect should I avoid instead of 2011?
According to the data, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2014 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 127 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Ford Transit Connect?
The EPA rates it at 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

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.