Ford Transit Connect Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Transit Connect model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (9) and the 2014 the most (127).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 25–26 |
| 2022 | 6 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 22–26 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 22–26 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 6 | Service brakes | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 1 | Visibility/wiper | — | 22 |
| 2012 | 26 | 1 | Engine | 2★ | 23 |
| 2017 | 28 | 6 | Service brakes | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2013 | 32 | 4 | Power train | 2★ | 23 |
| 2020 | 32 | 8 | Power train | — | 22–26 |
| 2010 | 42 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 23 |
| 2019 | 51 | 8 | Power train | — | 22–26 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
66 | 10 | Structure | 5★ | 23–25 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
104 | 10 | Service brakes | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
127 | 15 | Structure | 5★ | 23–25 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Transit Connect years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2014 Ford Transit Connect: 127 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 28 (22%); Electrical system 18 (14%); Latches/locks/linkages 14 (11%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 15 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Ford Transit Connect: 104 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 17 (16%); Electrical system 14 (13%); Structure 14 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Ford Transit Connect: 66 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 13 (20%); Latches/locks/linkages 10 (15%); Power train 9 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Transit Connect years with the fewest complaints
2021 Ford Transit Connect: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 5 (56%); Service brakes 3 (33%); Engine 2 (22%).
4 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Ford Transit Connect: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 6 (27%); Steering 5 (23%); Power train 3 (14%).
6 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Ford Transit Connect: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 6 (25%); Electrical system 4 (17%); Engine 4 (17%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,086 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Transit Connect owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19,000 |
| 2019 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2018 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2016 | 104 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 59,000 |
| 2015 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2014 | 127 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2013 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35,700 |
| 2012 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 37,272 |
| 2011 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49,086 |
| 2010 | 42 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 56,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Transit Connect recalls
- Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable (2013–2021 model years; 2,925,968 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2022; 22V413000)
- Doors May Open While Driving (2014–2016 model years; 2,147,323 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2020; 20V331000)
- Doors may Unexpectedly Open (2014–2016 model years; 2,046,297 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V643000)
- Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image (2015–2018 model years; 1,456,417 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2025; 25V572000)
- Engine Cylinder Head may Leak Oil (2013–2015 model years; 208,584 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V209000)
All 31 Ford Transit Connect recall campaigns · Ford Transit Connect problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Transit Connect years FAQ
Which Ford Transit Connect year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (9). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Transit Connect years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2014, 2016 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Transit Connect problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (100 of 570 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Transit Connect have?
NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns covering the Ford Transit Connect. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Transit Connect recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.