2012 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
46/100
#8 most-complained of 14 Transit Connect years
The 2012 Ford Transit Connect ranks 8th out of 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 46 and a "Good" verdict relative to other years. It logged 26 complaints and 1 recall, well below the worst years like 2014 (complaint index 100).
- Complaints
- 26
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 2 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2012 Ford Transit Connect problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers8 (31%)
- Engine7 (27%)
- Electrical System4 (15%)
- Structure & Body4 (15%)
- Fuel System3 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (12%)
- Brakes2 (8%)
- Seat Belts2 (8%)
- HVAC1 (4%)
What owners report
- Rear defrost activation sometimes precedes the rear window cracking or shattering, in one case at highway speed.
- Windshield reflections from the dashboard and grille reportedly interfered with visibility, contributing to at least one crash.
- Tire pressure warning light illuminates repeatedly after driving over uneven surfaces or speed bumps, even after dealer visits.
- Dashboard smoke and fire were reported, with melted material dripping from the dash area.
- Driver's side seat belt reportedly would not disengage from the buckle or retract properly.
- Throttle body issues after cold starts triggered check engine lights and rough running, tied to stored ECU codes.
2012 Ford Transit Connect recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2012 Ford Transit Connect fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 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.
2012 compared with other Transit Connect years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford Transit Connect a good year?
- Relative to other Transit Connect model years, 2012 ranks 8th out of 14 with a Complaint Index of 46, earning a "Good" verdict. It had 26 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall.
- What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford Transit Connect?
- Visibility & Wipers issues make up 31% of complaints, the largest share, followed by Engine problems at 27%.
- Does the 2012 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 12V374000, for wiper arms that may not be adequately riveted, causing incomplete windshield clearing or detachment.
- At what mileage do 2012 Transit Connect problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Visibility & Wipers issues appeared around 33,000 miles, Engine issues around 48,683 miles, and Fuel System issues around 60,094 miles.