71 of the
742 complaints filed about the Ford Transit Connect
are about the electrical system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
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 not currently not listed for this vehicle as a recall. Definite safety hazard with camera staying on when vehicle is in drive and moving forward. 2) Auto start, stop feature was functioning when vehicle was purchased November of 2025, but as of April 2026, system began to turn itself on and off, no longer can be activated or deactivated via command button on console.
NHTSA complaint #11751874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The backup camera on the Ford Transit Connect 2014 has failed, making the vehicle unsafe, particularly for backing over pedestrians or small children difficult to see in mirrors. We see that recalls on the backup camera have been issued for models 2015 and later, but it is apparent that this is an issue for earlier models as well. Please require that Ford address the problem with all models.
NHTSA complaint #11745610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component Affected: Service Brakes / ABS Module / Hydraulic Braking System Description of Safety Defect: There is an active, intermittent, catastrophic failure in the front braking system/ABS module causing the front brakes to completely lock up mid-transit while operating at high speeds (60+ MPH). First Incident (April 24, 2026): During operation on a busy interstate at over 60 MPH, the front braking system experienced a sudden, catastrophic thermal lock-up. This caused violent vehicle shuddering, extreme friction heat, and heavy, thick, acrid smoke. The vehicle was brought to a dealer shop for repair. Second Incident (April 29, 2026): Four days after delivery, the identical catastrophic brake lock-up recurred mid-transit, creating an immediate fire hazard due to friction heat and smoke. An independent repair facility diagnosed the failure and replaced the ABS module. Third Incident (June 4, 2026): The identical component failure recurred while traveling at over 60 MPH on Interstate 694 with a minor child in the vehicle. The front brakes fully locked up mid-transit, creating an immediate risk of a high-speed collision, severe thermal friction, and heavy burning odors, rendering the vehicle entirely un-roadworthy. Current Status: > The vehicle has sat grounded at a repair shop for 30 cumulative days out of 54 days of ownership due to the persistent re-locking of the front hydraulic braking system. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on public roads. No crash or fire occurred, but the failure poses an imminent thermal and collision hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11745074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The backup camera flips the image upside down and has static throughout the image. Occasionally it blinks out completely. This began happening on an occasional basis over the past few years, but in the past year it has been consistently upside down all the time.
NHTSA complaint #11725687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the electrical system failed to respond, and the vehicle turned off. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no power to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed along with a taillight repair. On a separate occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond, the transmission was not shifting properly, which caused the vehicle to jerk. The contact stated that while driving after the engine had warmed up, the vehicle would unintendedly stop. The contact returned from a trip and the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,500.
NHTSA complaint #11652334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, The vehicle speedometer failed to display the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnoses or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact was referred to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #11632726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon transmission would buck or jerk when removing my foot from the accelerator when going 60 mph or more. The brake was NOT press at the time of the jerk. 2. When entering the Ford Service Center for the transmission check appointment, the left front brake seized. There was an odor of burning brake pads. 3. After the brake module was replaced and the service center took it for a test drive of the transmission, the technician told me the lighting module needed to be replaced and the vehicle continued to stay at the service center. 4. While still at the service center, they connected the vehicle for a computer reboot/refresh that would take over night. The next morning they informed me that the reboot did not take in the vehicle computer system. 5. The service center called in a regional Ford Technician three times to try to solve the issues without success. 6. We never had possession of the vehicle during this time. It continues to be in possession of the service center and to our knowledge is not repaired. 7. The "service engine" red light NEVER came up on the instrument panel when the incident happened.
NHTSA complaint #11630506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but were still unable to start, and wanted to replace the fuel pump. I explained that the tank had been filled only about 80 miles before, so there was some issue. Another week later, the dealer informed me that when replacing the fuel pump they had found that the tank had been melted. This was when I was first aware of the issue with the fuel tank.
NHTSA complaint #11584273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This was happened [XXX] in Mesa CO in winter storms negative temperatures and foot of heavy snow far away from anything car simultaneously looks with running engines when I went out of the car with my winter gear and telephone inside. For 4-5 hours didn’t find any body . I thinking I’m going to die. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11581610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission converter and Ford refuses to honor the repair. It does not show on their computer yet the RPM needle goes up and down on stealth mode. The wiper hose keeps coming off. The back up camera kept going black. The AC went out at less than 40,000 miles. The software will not update. The eco system would not work properly. The passenger bag is not detected.
NHTSA complaint #11568876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while initially starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the main computer screen displayed the “Hill Stop Assist Not Available" and "Parking Assist Not Available" messages. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The speedometer, power steering, and several other unknown messages were displayed intermittently. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the original failure and was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger’s side wheel position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic after the second failure, and it was determined that the same front passenger’s and driver’s side wheel position sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the steering wheel position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11560625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that cracks had formed in both taillights which lead to water accumulation inside the taillight housing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that moisture had leaked into the taillight wiring harness and both taillight sensors and sensor harnesses need to be replaced. In addition, the taillight wiring had begun to hang from the rear of the vehicle, causing the exhaust pipe to melt the wiring harness. The dealer informed the contact that the taillight sensor could not be repaired due to the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11559115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calipers and brake pads were replaced and still front brakes locking up. Unable to drive. Also, I had to replace a brand new brain on the van over $3000 electrical. The contact stated the vehicle is not working and needs help.
NHTSA complaint #11545515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while an employee was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on July 14, 2023, while the same employee was driving the vehicle and was releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle started losing motive power and slowed unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The employee continued driving to the independent mechanic and was informed that the brake rotors, brake pads, and the front driver’s side and the rear passenger’s side calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the mechanic then stated that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump was faulty. Upon investigation, the mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V482000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11533696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the vehicle was running; however, the instrument panel was inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11526786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the vehicle was running; however, the instrument panel was inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11526786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.