YearToAvoid

2020 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

62/100

#6 most-complained of 14 Transit Connect years

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

The 2020 Ford Transit Connect has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst among 14 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 32 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain, with a median failure mileage of 17,000 miles.

Complaints
32
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
24 city / 27 hwy

Top 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain10 (31%)
  2. Brakes7 (22%)
  3. Other5 (16%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers5 (16%)
  5. Engine4 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (13%)
  7. Airbags1 (3%)
  8. Electrical System1 (3%)
  9. Fuel System1 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Transmission sometimes drives forward when shifted into reverse, or loses reverse function entirely.
  • Vehicle stalls or shows a fault after full stops, with erratic gear changes and warning lights tied to transmission overheating.
  • "Pre-collision assist not available" warnings appear alongside failure to accelerate properly and fluctuating gear changes.
  • Transmission fails to move the vehicle forward, only reverse works, sometimes as early as 17,000 miles.
  • Vehicle loses propulsion suddenly at highway speed without warning, leaving the driver unable to restart it.
  • Brakes lock up at highway speed, followed by abnormal shaking and loss of power steering and traction control.
2020 Ford Transit Connect complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2019Dec 2020Sep 2022Apr 2024Nov 2024Jul 2025May 2026
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2022 (4).

2020 Ford Transit Connect recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 8 recalls for the 2020 Ford Transit Connect →

2020 Ford Transit Connect fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2020 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
2018Good3122622
2019Avoid7751825
2020Caution6232825
2021Best08425
2022Best86125

All Ford Transit Connect years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2020 model year a Complaint Index of 62, a Caution verdict, and 32 complaints, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years for this model.
What are the biggest problems with the 2020 Ford Transit Connect?
Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 31% of complaints (10 of 32), with a median failure mileage of 58,500 miles. Brakes account for 22% and Visibility & Wipers for 16%.
Does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2020 model year, covering transmission control module software, shifter cable bushings, airbag modules, start/stop accumulator bolts, windshield adhesion, and rearview camera software. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 model compare to other Transit Connect years?
The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 62 is worse than 2017 (38), 2018 (31), 2021 (0), and 2022 (8), but better than 2014 (100), 2016 (92), and 2015 (85), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Transit Connect?
EPA rates it at 25 mpg combined (24 city / 27 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,600.

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.