2020 Ford Transit Connect problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (10) · Service Brakes (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 →
Safety recalls (8)
Back Over Prevention:software 2025-06-27 · campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles
Defect: 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) 2025-03-28 · campaign 25V196000 · 152 vehicles
Defect: 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 2022-06-10 · campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles
Defect: 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:windshield 2022-03-25 · campaign 22V192000 · 39,720 vehicles
Defect: 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 2021-05-24 · campaign 21V376000 · 192,080 vehicles
Defect: 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 2020-12-17 · campaign 20V791000 · 12 vehicles
Defect: 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) 2020-10-15 · campaign 20V636000 · 2,903 vehicles
Defect: 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 2020-09-10 · campaign 20V550000 · 97 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (93)
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 2026-03-25 · 25N17 · Other
advance notice – customer satisfaction program 25n17 certain 2015-2025 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera replacement if required after dealer evaluation
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
Electrical System 2026-02-17 · SSM 54589 · Other
some 2019-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with sync3 may experience various connectivity concerns with the ford app lincoln app including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through the ford app linco
Power Train 2026-01-08 · TSB 25-2550 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2092 to update model years. some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: transmission slipping harsh engagements clutch dtcs this may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier ass
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-02 · 25L02 · Other
special field action 25l02 certain 2017-2024 model year california emissions-certified vehicles transmission control assembly reimbursement
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Showing the 6 most recent of 93 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-01 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 61,484 mi“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 vehicle, there was a burning odor coming from the brakes…”
2026-07-21 · Electrical System“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 reca…”
2026-05-13 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2026-04-29 · Service Brakes“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 than that. vehicle is now having the unit replaced…”
2026-04-17 · Visibility · 189,000 mi“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 adhesive had failed, causing the passenger’s side fron…”
2025-12-22 · Visibility/Wiper“water leaking through front windshield. internet shows there is a recall for improper adhesive of windshield on 2020 transit connect but when my 2020 transit connect vin nm0ls6e25l1446922. was taken to ford dealership they are advising there is no recall on my vehicle. …”
2025-10-15 · Unknown Or Other“i started experiencing a sluggishness and jerking sensation upon acceleration. i took my van to starling ford who diagnosed it to be a transmission issue. an estimate was given for either replacing or repairing the transmission. shock. i took the van to premier auto care, for a second opinion. they then referred me to quality transmission after …”
2025-07-20 · Power Train · 💥 crash“transmission failure in my 2.0l ford transit connect at approximately 94,000 miles. when i shift into reverse, the van sometimes drives forward instead of backing up — as if the transmission is confused or stuck in the wrong gear. over time, reverse completely stopped working altogether. additionally, after coming to a full stop (such as at a red l…”
2025-07-13 · Service Brakes“the brake pedal went down far and there was poor braking. the brake fluid was found to be leaking from the left front brake jounce hose. this was unsafe due to extended braking stop time and less braking ability. i am an ase certified master technician and i work in a private vehicle fleet repair facility. i did not interview the driver if t…”
2025-06-23 · Power Train“my 8f35 transmission failed at 95,000 miles, a new unit was put in and that transmission failed at about 175,000 miles, a new transmission was not put in for replacement, but was rebuilt by ford and currently i have 185,000 miles and as i slow down the transmission starts to jerk and i am slammed forward in my seat. this transmission does this ever…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.