YearToAvoid

2019 Ford Transit Connect Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 24 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect, 47% of all complaints filed for that year. Median mileage at failure is 83,000, and five related recalls cover PCM software and shifter cable bushing issues.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
24
47% of 51
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
83,000 mi
Related recalls
5

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle stops shifting properly and gets stuck in a single gear, sometimes only moving in third or eighth gear.
  • Transmission stalls or hesitates at low speed, then briefly acts like it is in park before working again.
  • Owners report full transmission failure requiring replacement, in some cases with the transmission failing a second time after replacement.
  • Harsh or delayed upshifts and downshifts, along with random slipping in mid gears without triggering a warning light.
  • Loss of acceleration or power on the highway for a short period with no dashboard warning beforehand.
  • Owners cite recall 22V413 for a shifter cable bushing but report the transmission itself still needed replacement.

When 2019 Ford Transit Connect transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 14, 2021, latest Jun 18, 2026.

2019 Ford Transit Connect transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2021Jul 2022May 2023Aug 2023Mar 2024Feb 2025Aug 2025Mar 2026
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Oct 2025 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect

  1. NHTSA 25V196000Mar 28, 2025Transmission & Powertrain152 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V-636. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay engine cooling and result in engine overheating.

    Risk: An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S32.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. NHTSA 20V636000Oct 15, 2020Transmission & Powertrain2,903 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay the fail-safe cooling strategy in the event of coolant loss and result in engine overheating.

    Risk: If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S60.

  5. NHTSA 20V550000Sep 10, 2020Transmission & Powertrain97 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

    Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Transit Connect model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20108 (19%)
  2. 20114 (17%)
  3. 20120 (0%)
  4. 20137 (22%)
  5. 201412 (9%)
  6. 20159 (14%)
  7. 201613 (13%)
  8. 20173 (11%)
  9. 20183 (14%)
  10. 201924 (47%)
  11. 202010 (31%)
  12. 20214 (50%)
  13. 20221 (17%)
  14. 20231 (100%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2019 Ford Transit Connect?
NHTSA lists 24 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2019 model year, which is 47% of all 51 complaints filed for that year.
At what mileage do 2019 Transit Connect transmissions typically fail?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 83,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect transmission?
Yes, NHTSA lists five related recalls, including 20V636000 for PCM software fail-safe thresholds and 22V413000 and 21V376000 for a degrading shifter cable bushing.
Did the 2019 Transit Connect transmission recalls cause crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to these Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
How does the 2019 Transit Connect compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2019 model year's 47% share of complaints in this area is the highest of any Transit Connect model year listed, compared to, for example, 9% in 2014 and 13% in 2016.

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.