2020 Ford Transit Connect Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 1, 2026 · 32 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Transit Connect years
About as many complaints as other years 6th of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Transit Connect. That ranks 6th out of 14 Transit Connect model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (10 complaints, 31%), typically at around 58,500 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 fires. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Ford Transit Connect
2025 Ford Transit Connect Limited PHEV - 1498cc 1.5 (150PS) Plug-in Hybrid - Frozen White. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Harvey Bold, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train10 · ~58,500 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~3,454 mi
Service Brakes4
Visibility4 · ~31,122 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance3 · ~21,000 mi
Engine2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2 · ~64,742 mi
Vehicle Speed Control2 · ~7,002 mi
Air Bags1 · ~12,000 mi
Back Over Prevention1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train1031%58,500——
Unknown or Other516%3,454——
Service Brakes413%———
Visibility413%31,122——
Forward Collision Avoidance39%21,000——
Engine26%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26%64,742——
Vehicle Speed Control26%7,002——
Air Bags13%12,000——
Back Over Prevention13%———
Electrical System13%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)13%3——
Fuel/propulsion System13%———
Lane Departure13%———
Steering13%68,000——
Visibility/wiper13%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 7 complaints
2019: 1201912020: 4202042022: 6202262023: 3202332024: 6202462025: 7202572026: 520265

n = 32 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 Ford Transit Connect recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Back over prevention:softwareJun 27, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Mar 28, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V196000 · 152 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshieldMar 25, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V192000 · 39,720 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.

Risk: During a crash, the windshield may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S20.

Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)May 24, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V376000 · 192,080 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module; air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDec 17, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V791000 · 12 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); engine and engine cooling:cooling systemOct 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V636000 · 2,903 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:automatic transmissionSep 10, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V550000 · 97 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while attempting to pull into a parking lot, the brakes locked up. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were made to forcefully engage and unlock the brakes. After restarting the…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Sep 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11761397

Intermittent Electronic issues are: 1) Rear view backup camera malfunction. Works sporadically. Camera some times clear as bell, and stays on when in drive moving forward. Other days camera fails to blue screen, then turns gray with message that camera is unavailable, contact dealership. Defect is…

Electrical System · received Jul 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11751874

The windsheild is not properly sealed. It has caused water to leak into the vehicle. The water leaking in has caused electrical problems with the radio and backup camera. Also causing mold inside the vehicle.

Unknown or Other · received May 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11737645

ABS Hydraulic control unit pump malfunction. vehicles brakes locked up on the highway and could of caused an accident. this is a known and common issue with these vans. this type of thing shouldnt happen my vehicle has only has 67,000 miles on it. I have seen other report this issue with less miles…

Service Brakes · received Apr 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11734688

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, rainwater poured into the vehicle from the front passenger’s side windshield. The vehicle was taken to the local Satellite Auto Glass repair shop, and it was discovered that the front windshield…

Visibility · received Apr 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11731905

Other Ford Transit Connect years

← 2019 Transit Connect · 2021 Transit Connect →

See all Ford Transit Connect problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Transit Connect?

Owners most often report power train, unknown or other, service brakes problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 10 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Transit Connect?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 Ford Transit Connect a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Transit Connect model years, the 2020 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.