2012 Ford Transit Connect problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (4) · Engine (4) · Visibility (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Transit Connect model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2012-08-02 · campaign 12V374000 · 16,330 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Service bulletins (22)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Structure 2023-04-04 · SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2000-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. it is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (vin) from a different vehicle. most modules on these affe
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Showing the 6 most recent of 22 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-08 · Structure · 116,838 mi“the contact owns a 2012 ford transit connect. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts were damp following a rainstorm. upon inspection, the contact observed that the door seals on both front doors were allowing water to enter the vehicle, causing the sea…”
2024-04-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 co…”
2022-10-13 · Seats“the seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. it is available for inspection, see photos provided. merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. the car was parked when the incident occurred. no, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. no, th…”
2022-07-07 · Visibility · 200,000 mi“the contact's boyfriend owns a 2012 ford transit connect. the contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving 25 mph, the windshield wiper arms failed to operate. upon investigation, the contact discovered nhtsa campaign number: 12v374000 (visibility) which she linked to the failure. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure …”
2022-04-17 · Tires“i noticed the 2 rear p205/65r15 (with approximately 4,500 mi) had a small dip in the sidewall. typically evident of belt breaks or some other defect. about four weeks later, the front 2 p205/65r15 (with approximately 2,500 mi) also display this same dip in the sidewall. i’ve not had a problem with any 4 tires to date, all tires are still installed…”
2019-12-29 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 92,000 mi“could not drive in slushy snow, vehicle self cut power in middle of road, there is no way to disable traction control so vehicle can spin to gain forward movement. this situation almost caused head on collision with oncoming vehicle. i had to keep backing up to try to gain forward motion. if i had been able to disable traction control so the vehicl…”
2018-10-11 · Visibility/Wiper · 110,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford transit connect. the contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate. the driver's view was obstructed while driving in the rain on more than one occasion. luther family ford (3302 36th street south, fargo, north dakota 58104, (701) 282-2350) diagnosed that the rivets on the wipers were too short and the…”
2018-03-02 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:rear Window · 67,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford transit connect. the contact stated that when the rear defroster was activated, the rear window fractured. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was repaired by safelite auto glass. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage w…”
2018-02-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 113,214 mi“twice in 113,214 miles the throttle body has failed at speed. this is a sudden loss of power anywhere, anytime day or night--just out of power and scrambling for a safe place to stop. the first failure was with 36,366 miles in a snow storm. the second failure was in traffic on the freeway. no notification from ford that this is a known problem …”
2016-04-14 · Engine · 3,000 mi“when attempting to accelerate from a partial or complete stop, there are times when the gas pedal is pushed all the way to the floor and finally the vehicle takes off. i have had numerous occasions when i have almost run into the vehicle in front of me after taking off from a stop light or stop sign. i have take the vehicle to the dealer we purchas…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.