YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Transit Connect Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2011 Ford Transit Connect has a complaint index of 31, ranking 10th out of 14 model years, with a Good verdict. It has 24 complaints and 1 recall, well below years like 2014 (index 100) and 2016 (index 92).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
31/100
#10 of 14 Transit Connect years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
24
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
21 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2011 Ford Transit Connect problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Traction control cannot be manually disabled, leaving the van unable to move on inclines or in traffic even on surfaces it could otherwise handle.
  • Windshield wiper arms detach or come off the glass while driving in rain, cutting visibility suddenly.
  • Brakes reportedly fail or need replacement, with one owner citing a failure mileage around 15,000 miles that persisted after repair.
  • Cruise control has been reported to drop speed sharply then surge past the set speed on the highway.
  • Wheel bearings and the sway bar were reported to fail repeatedly, roughly every 20,000 miles, with the dealer unable to identify a cause.
  • Front turn signal bulbs stop working due to shorting inside the headlight bucket, reported across multiple fleet vehicles.
2011 Ford Transit Connect complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2012Feb 2013Aug 2013May 2014Aug 2015Nov 2015Mar 2019Mar 2020
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2012 to Mar 2026; peak Jul 2018 (2).

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
2010Caution6242223
2011Good3124122
2012Caution5426123
2013Good4632423

All Ford Transit Connect years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Among the 14 model years with data, 2011 ranks 10th worst with a complaint index of 31 and a Good verdict, meaning it performs better than most other years of this model.
What problems does the 2011 Ford Transit Connect have?
NHTSA complaints point mainly to Engine and Visibility & Wipers issues, each 25% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Electrical System at 21% each.
Does the 2011 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 12V374000, covering wiper arms that may not be adequately riveted, causing inconsistent windshield clearing or possible detachment.
How does the 2011 model compare to the worst Transit Connect years?
The 2011 complaint index of 31 is far below the worst years: 2014 at 100, 2016 at 92, and 2015 at 85, all rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Ford Transit Connect?
EPA rates it at 22 mpg combined (21 city / 25 highway), with an 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.