2021 Ford Transit Connect problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (4) · Service Brakes (3) · Wheels (2)
🧭 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 (4)
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: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.
Seat Belts:front:retractor 2021-07-30 · campaign 21V592000 · 42,493 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.
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.
Service bulletins (56)
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
Electrical System 2026-03-07 · 25E06 · Other
certain 2021-2023 model year transit connect equipped with 2.0l engine powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming the affected vehicles have an emissions control system that might not control tailpipe emissions effectively
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
Power Train 2025-12-18 · 25E06 · Emissions
certain 2021-2023 model year transit connect equipped with 2.0l engine powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming
Showing the 6 most recent of 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Service Brakes · 🔥 fire“was driving on the highway. thought there was a smell of something burning. stopped didn't see anything. when i arrived at my location the smell was much stronger. when i stopped i saw smoke and fire coming from the left front tire. fire department was called because the vehicle was parked next to a building. i used three fire extinguishers to put …”
2026-10-19 · Wheels · 🔥 fire“my husband was driving the vehicle and i was the passenger. we got on the highway and were going 67 mph when we smelled something burning. the vehicle speed dropped from 67 mph to 30 mph. no warning lights on the dashboard alerted to anything. we got off the highway and to a place of safety. we got out of the vehicle and both front rotors were glow…”
2026-10-14 · Wheels · 🔥 fire“while driving down the road the abs brakes (front driver and passenger rear) started tightening up then they temporarily released for a few miles. then started tightening up again it continued to tighted and not release until it was completely locked down. immediately pulled off road and brakes visibly caught on fire and damaged all components in t…”
2026-09-30 · Power Train“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" sound when driving at a consistent speed. has not be…”
2026-05-22 · Power Train“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 known issue with the vehicle, tsb 25-2550. the…”
2026-05-22 · Service Brakes“automatic braking system module system went out mid drive and locked up the front right and back left brakes making vehicle immovable in the middle of the highway. towed to a dealership where they had to remove and replace abs module no warning lamps were present. no prior symptoms before failure. …”
2026-04-03 · Unknown Or Other“rear window in hatch door spontaneously shattered while i was driving to work this morning.…”
2026-01-27 · Service Brakes“two tires lock up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. the inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. there are no warning lamps. the vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. after towing to a service station, the abs module failed and this caused damag…”
2024-11-26 · Power Train“we have just passed 87,000 miles on our 2021 ford transit connect and the transmission has had to be completely replaced. we were told at the transmission repair facility that ours was one of 4 2021 ford transit connects in their shop alone with a whole transmission replacement within a 2 week time period. while our vehicle is outside of the mileag…”
2024-03-13 · Visibility/Wiper“my windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. the windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. caused electrical damage to the car. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.