2016 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 14 Transit Connect years
The 2016 Ford Transit Connect has a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of 14 model years, with 104 complaints and 10 recalls. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 22 complaints (21%), followed closely by Brakes and Structure & Body problems.
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27 hwy
Top 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers22 (21%)
- Brakes17 (16%)
- Structure & Body17 (16%)
- Engine16 (15%)
- Electrical System14 (13%)
- Other13 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (13%)
- Steering8 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (6%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of engine power and stalling at highway speeds, sometimes with dashboard warnings of engine malfunction.
- Some describe the vehicle stalling with a chime warning, then temporarily correcting itself before failing again after continued driving.
- Windshield and dashboard glare from brushed aluminum trim and plastic surfaces is reported as blinding under sunlight while driving.
- Owners describe the steering wheel seizing and the instrument panel going blank, traced to a defective fuse box wiring harness.
- One owner reports the vehicle catching fire while in motion, with the frame reportedly burned and reduced to charcoal.
- Fuel economy complaints describe real-world mpg well below the EPA-rated figures, with one owner noting a drop after a dealer replaced the throttle body.
2016 Ford Transit Connect recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- NHTSA 23V502000Jul 21, 2023Structure & Body112,225 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles. The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.
Risk: An unlatched door can open while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S36.
- 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.
2016 Ford Transit Connect fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 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.
2016 compared with other Transit Connect years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect a bad year?
- Among the 14 Transit Connect model years with data, 2016 ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 92 and is labeled Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Transit Connect?
- Visibility & Wipers issues are the top problem area, accounting for 22 of 104 complaints (21%), with a median failure mileage of 48,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2016 Transit Connect, covering areas including windshield adhesion, seat belt pretensioners, panoramic roof bonding, and rearview cameras. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Transit Connect compare to other years?
- The 2016 complaint index of 92 is close to the worst year, 2014, which scored 100 with 127 complaints and 15 recalls. Years like 2021 and 2022 score much lower, with indexes of 0 and 8.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2016 Transit Connect?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 59,000 miles across all reported problems for this model year.