Owners have filed 30 complaints
about the 2011 Ford Transit Connect with NHTSA between 2012 and 2026.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Ford Transit Connect. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 75
44% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Ford Transit Connect
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Ford Transit Connect
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
620.0%
Median failure at 56,852 miles
Electrical System
413.3%
Median failure at 81,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
413.3%
Median failure at 50,543 miles
Engine & Cooling
413.3%
Median failure at 65,043 miles
Stability & Traction Control
310.0%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
26.7%
Median failure at 3,750 miles
Brakes
26.7%
Median failure at 66,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
13.3%
Median failure at 54,000 miles
Lights
13.3%
Suspension
13.3%
Median failure at 27,873 miles
Body & Structure
13.3%
Steering
13.3%
Median failure at 120,300 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
312.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
520.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
624.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
312.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
312.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
28.0%
150,000+ miles
312.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2011 Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD
—
—
—
25.6% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2012peak 4Mar 2026
Recalls on the 2011 Ford Transit Connect
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
12V374000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm.
Risk: If the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201413419,293 units in Canada
Visual System
Certain vehicles may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 - Glazing Materials. The lower edge of the center sun-shade area of the windshield is not marked in accordance with the requirements of the standard. Correction: No corrective recall action is required as this technical non-compliance is deemed to be non-safety related.
Recall 20122422,649 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the wiper arm pivot pins could become loose, causing noisy wiper operation and inconsistent clearing of the windshield. Continued usage could cause the driver and/or passenger side wiper arm to separate, resulting in a loss of wiper function on that side. Loss of windshield wiping function, should it occur during a rainy/snowy day, may compromise the driver's ability to see the road and its users, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the wiper arm assemblies.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Wadsworth, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Passenger side wiper arm came off during a recent rain storm. I have contacted my local Ford dealer and Ford Customer Service in regards to 12s36 (NHTSA #12v-374). Ford explained it effects certain model years, produced during a certain time, at a certain manufacture facility. My vehicle meets all of the parameters, yet they will not honor the recall because the vin number is not listed. Please help. It is a minor repair, yet it is obviously a manufacturer issue.
NHTSA complaint #11723576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSeaview, WA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11319275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSeaview, WA
ENGINE
WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11319275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSeaview, WA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11319275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,650 milesCanton, GA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED AND IS BURN
NHTSA complaint #11219797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,900 milesRiverside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MULTIPLE TIMES, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEEMS TO JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. WITH NO WARNING ALL THE LIGHTS AND DASH INDICATORS WILL FLASH AND ALL GO OUT. ENGINE WILL BRIEFLY RUN, THEN QUIT. SEVERAL TIMES BEEN VERY LUCKY TO GET OFF ROAD OR FREEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. FORD DEALER WORKED ON IT FOR 1+ YRS, REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I'VE TROUBLE TESTED AND FIND NO ISSUES. NO APPARENT GROUNDING ISSUES. NO FUSES OR RELAYS APPEAR TO BE FAULTY. FOUND MANY LIKE-COMPLAINTS ONLINE. ACTS LIKE A BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ISSUE. BUT LATER, AFTER JUMPED BATTERY, ALL SYSTEMS WORKS WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS...YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HIT.
NHTSA complaint #11193946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesCalhoun, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO DECELERATE. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. PRATER FORD (704 S WALL ST, CALHOUN, GA 30701, (706) 629-2883) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11183981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaview, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE VAN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS FOR THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM DIFFICULT TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF THE BACK SEAT EXTREME PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY
NHTSA complaint #11114436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaview, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE VAN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS FOR THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM DIFFICULT TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF THE BACK SEAT EXTREME PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY
NHTSA complaint #11114436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 244,000 milesOntario, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND DID A BASIC TUNEUP, OIL CHANGE AND SPARK PLUGS. I ORDERED A AFTER MARKET FILTER FROM K&N AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE IT ARRIVED. AIR FILTER WAS NOT REPLACED YET BUT HOPING IT WOULD HELP WITH ACCELERATING. THE A/C WORKED WELL AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR DURING IDLE. A FEW DAYS LATER MY TRANSIT GOT REAL HOT AT A STOP LIGHT SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR ANY LEAKS OR COOLANT LOSE IN THE RESERVOIR... ALL WAS WELL AND I SAW THE ELECTRIC FANS SPINNING. CAR GOT HOT AGAIN AND CHECKED ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HIGH SPEED FUSE BEING BLOWN. CHECKED AND THAT WAS THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE FUSE AND HIGH SPEED WORKED AGAIN. CHECKED FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND SAW THAT THERE WAS RECALLS ON SOME BUT NOT ALL VINS QUALIFY???? ALSO SAW COMPLAINTS ABOUT IDLELING AND POOR ACCELERATION... INSTALLED K&N AIR FILTER, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #11110070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 244,000 milesOntario, CA
ENGINE
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND DID A BASIC TUNEUP, OIL CHANGE AND SPARK PLUGS. I ORDERED A AFTER MARKET FILTER FROM K&N AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE IT ARRIVED. AIR FILTER WAS NOT REPLACED YET BUT HOPING IT WOULD HELP WITH ACCELERATING. THE A/C WORKED WELL AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR DURING IDLE. A FEW DAYS LATER MY TRANSIT GOT REAL HOT AT A STOP LIGHT SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR ANY LEAKS OR COOLANT LOSE IN THE RESERVOIR... ALL WAS WELL AND I SAW THE ELECTRIC FANS SPINNING. CAR GOT HOT AGAIN AND CHECKED ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HIGH SPEED FUSE BEING BLOWN. CHECKED AND THAT WAS THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE FUSE AND HIGH SPEED WORKED AGAIN. CHECKED FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND SAW THAT THERE WAS RECALLS ON SOME BUT NOT ALL VINS QUALIFY???? ALSO SAW COMPLAINTS ABOUT IDLELING AND POOR ACCELERATION... INSTALLED K&N AIR FILTER, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS GREAT.
NHTSA complaint #11110070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesRomulus, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED CODE CAME ON". I WILL TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I BELIEVE IT IS A ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURERE.
NHTSA complaint #10809362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesRomulus, MI
ENGINE
DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED CODE CAME ON". I WILL TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I BELIEVE IT IS A ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURERE.
NHTSA complaint #10809362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,455 milesBinghamton, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUN ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10789794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesMansfield, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WE HAD A WINDSHIELD WIPER FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A STORM. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO REPAIR SHOP THE OTHER WIPER FELL OFF. WE DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND SHOWED SOME VEHICLES FOR THAT ISSUE WERE RECALLED BUT OURS WAS NOT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT AND FORD WILL NOT PAY.
NHTSA complaint #10787166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesWalpole, MA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE THROTTLE BODY AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #10763825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesClay City, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE WRENCH SYMBOL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
NHTSA complaint #10747600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FRONT TURN SIGNALS REPEATEDLY STOP FUNCTIONING - AFTER CHANGING BULBS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SHORTING WAS OCCURRING IN THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET - THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON THROUGHOUT THE 4 TRANSIT CONNECTS IN OUR FLEET.
NHTSA complaint #10608066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesOLD Greenwich, CT
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-95 ON A RAINY NIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND GOT STUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY! LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. WAS IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY, SO I PULLED OFF INTO HIGHWAY SERVICE AREA AND MOVED THE ARM BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE HOME, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE ARM MALFUNCTIONED TWICE MORE IN LESS THAN 5 MILES. FORD DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE GAVE ME A MORNING APPOINTMENT, AND TIGHTENED THE MECHANISM. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME OTHER TTHAN FOR THE OIL CHANGE 'UPSELL'. BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL AND WOULD NOT TECHNICALLY PUT THIS IN THE SYSTEM AS A WARRANTY CLAIM, BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN A ROUGH WINTER AND PERHAPS THE MECHANISM HAD BEEN DAMAGED WHILE CLEANNG OFF ICE OR OTHER WINTER WEAR AND TEAR. I DO NOT THINK THAT I EVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE DEALER'S EXPLANATION ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT A RECALL DOES EXIST.
NHTSA complaint #10596783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,300 milesLakeland, FL
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,344.
NHTSA complaint #10586752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,873 milesFaribault, MN
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND SWAY BAR FAILED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE EXACT REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE RAPIDLY RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DECLINED TO FURTHER ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,873 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10573873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,086 milesFitchburg, MA
POWER TRAIN
NO 3RD GEAR! THE VAN HAS BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10544399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,086 milesFitchburg, MA
ENGINE
NO 3RD GEAR! THE VAN HAS BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10544399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,250 milesLexington, KY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE DRIVING IN THE DOWN POURING RAIN THE VEHICLE WIPERS CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10534354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesStaton Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #10532673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.