Ford Transit Connect Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Transit Connect across 13 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (24). The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (6% of reports).
- 100power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Transmission failed: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Emergency brake: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 46 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 100 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Ford Transit Connect power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Transit Connect | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2022 Transit Connect | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2021 Transit Connect | 5 | 56% | — |
| 2020 Transit Connect | 10 | 31% | 58,500 |
| 2019 Transit Connect | 24 | 47% | 83,000 |
| 2018 Transit Connect | 3 | 14% | 142,000 |
| 2017 Transit Connect | 3 | 11% | 42,000 |
| 2016 Transit Connect | 13 | 13% | 84,000 |
| 2015 Transit Connect | 9 | 14% | 99,398 |
| 2014 Transit Connect | 12 | 9% | 43,000 |
| 2013 Transit Connect | 7 | 22% | 37,500 |
| 2011 Transit Connect | 4 | 17% | 50,543 |
| 2010 Transit Connect | 8 | 19% | 66,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2019, 2020
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)
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2019, 2020
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 transmission
Model years: 2019, 2020
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On going problem that's getting worse and have totally stopped driving the van. Transmission Severe Slipping, harsh and hard shifting, abrupt Highway deceleration & violent downshift while on the Hwy. Pauses sometimes to accelerate from a stop and sometimes lunges forward. Occasional "thumping"…
I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving our 2023 Ford Transit Connect (VIN [XXX]) van that resulted in an unintended vehicle movement and collision. While the incident resulted in only minor property damage and a minor injury, we believe the circumstances warrant review due to the…
Since Iâve bought it at 48,000 miles the van has always had hard engagements on 1 gear and 2nd. I knew the transmission was bad a week after I bought it at the ford dealership. All they did under their limited warranty was a transmission flush. Now it has 70,000 and the torque converter is toast…
The transmission hasn't been working correctly for the last 2 years. It was constantly shifting incorrectly, lagging, stuttering, and making driving difficult. It finally just stopped in the middle of traffic and would not move. It threw a diagnostic code of P0751, which we learned was related to a…
Transmission failure after all known transmission recalls were repaired.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Transit Connects have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Transit Connect. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Transit Connect power train?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Transit Connect?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 6 of 100 complaints, followed by “transmission failed” (6).
See all Ford Transit Connect problems.