2013 Ford Transit Connect Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Ford Transit Connect has a complaint index of 46, ranking 8th among 14 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 32 complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 crash reports, with Engine and Transmission & Powertrain tied as top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 46/100
- #8 of 14 Transit Connect years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 32
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 2 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2013 Ford Transit Connect problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (22%)
- Brakes6 (19%)
- Electrical System5 (16%)
- Structure & Body5 (16%)
- Other2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly go soft or sink to the floor, with the pedal needing to be pumped or held while the vehicle continues to creep forward.
- Automatic transmission has been reported to slip out of Drive into Neutral at low speed without the shift interlock button being pressed.
- Some owners report the transmission shift cable bushing degrading, which can allow the vehicle to roll even when placed in Park.
- Cruise control has been reported to increase speed on its own, accelerating from around 50 mph toward 70 mph without driver input.
- Electrical wiring harness issues have left vehicles in the shop for extended periods due to unavailable replacement parts.
- Windshields have reportedly developed large cracks with no apparent cause, and rear brake lights have been described as hard to see in bright sunlight.
2013 Ford Transit Connect recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
- NHTSA 21V376000May 24, 2021Transmission & Powertrain192,080 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.
- NHTSA 17V209000Mar 27, 2017Engine208,584 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Risk: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other Transit Connect years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 model year is rated Good, ranking 8th out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 46.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
- NHTSA complaints most often cite the Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 22% of reported issues, followed by Brakes at 19%.
- Does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2013 Transit Connect, covering shifter cable bushing degradation, a coolant level sensor issue for 1.6L GTDI engines, and a wheelchair lift platform support recall.
- How does the 2013 model compare to other Transit Connect years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 46 is better than 2014 (100), 2015 (85), and 2016 (92), all rated Avoid, but not as low as 2018, 2021, or 2022, which are rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
- EPA rates the 2013 Transit Connect at 23 mpg combined (21.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.