2013 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
35,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 32 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Power Train: 7; Engine: 5; Electrical System: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Service Brakes: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10765199 · 2015-09-18 (September 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FROM THE DRIVE GEAR TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK BUTTON BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10765199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082033 · 2018-03-29 (March 29, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561361 · 2014-01-24 (January 24, 2014)
IN 45 MPH HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AT THE STOP SIGN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A TREE SECTION TOTLING THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10561361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567284 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)
THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL IS TOO SENSITIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND CUTS ENGINE BACK AND BRAKES THE TIRE WHERE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN SNOW. NO OFF BUTTON EVEN THOUGH OPERATORS MANUAL INDICATES AN OFF BUTTON IF EQUIPPED IS NEEDED UNDER THESE VERY CONDITIONS. LOCAL FORD DEALER CLAIMS ALL NORTH AMERICAN VEHICLES COMES WITH NO OFF SWITCH. THE ELECTRONICS IS GREAT NORMALLY, BUT NOT SO UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. HAVE TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE AS TO NOT CAUSE A TRAFFIC JAM IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. I DO NOT WANT TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!!!!
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141969 · 2018-10-23 (October 23, 2018)
I FOUND PULLING ON TO A 55 MPH HIGHWAY STARTING FROM A GRAVEL LOT, I ALLOW PLENTY OF SPACE FROM TRAFFIC AND, IF I GET THE SLIGHTEST WHEN SPIN, THE POWER DROPS AND I AM HALF IN TRAFFIC AND CAN'T MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE HAD CARS HONK AND WEAVE AROUND ME TO AVOID COLLISION. I MADE A GREAT DISTANCE TO BE SAFE AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY STALLING IN THE LANE. 4 SECONDS AT 60 MPH IS 352 FEET. IT GOES AWAY QUICK. OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SNOW TRAPPING THE VAN IN PLACE. OTHERS HAVE PULLED FUSE 191 TO DISABLE ALL ABS AND TRACTION CONT…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564659 · 2014-02-17 (February 17, 2014)
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH WITH A BAD WIRING HARNESS, THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE YET FORD DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR FIXING IT. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY MAY GET THE REQUIRED PART. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461601 · 2022-04-21 (April 21, 2022)
The muffler split open most likely from a clog. Because of that, the exhaust was directed toward the floor of the truck instead of going out of the muffler. As a result, it burnt through the heat shield, the back of the truck, melted the wiring harness, and burned a hole straight through the fuel tank. A mechanic took out the fuel tank and when it was being dropped out fuel spilled everywhere and there was a hole in the side of the tank. Since the wiring harness was melted, there was no power and no fuel pump power. The safety of the driver wa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461601 at NHTSA ↗