2016 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
104 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 61 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 104 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 19.2% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 10.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 8 |
Electrical System: 14; Unknown Or Other: 13; Engine: 12; Power Train: 12; Structure:Body: 12; Service Brakes: 8; Steering: 8; Visibility/Wiper: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 43 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2016: 2; 2017: 13; 2018: 3; 2019: 10; 2020: 16; 2021: 10; 2022: 21; 2023: 10; 2024: 8; 2025: 7; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 11365076 · 2020-10-19 (October 19, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUSINESS 85 HEADING TO WORK, I WAS TRAVELING 65MPH MY VAN SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, AS I'M TRYING TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY MY FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL, TOWED THE SHOP THEY CHANGED BRAKES, BRAKE CALIPERS AND CALIPER HOSE I DROVE IT AND A WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395864 · 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)
I STOPPED AT THE FOOT OF MY LONG DRIVEWAY AS I ARRIVED HOME. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO GET MY MAIL. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE SHIFT LEVER HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED, AND THE SHIFT LEVER BUSHING WAS GONE. I FOUND PART OF THE BUSHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND INFORMATION ON THE SAFETY RECALL 18S20, COVERING THE FORD FUSION, WITH THE SAME MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION AS THE 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT I OWN. I FEEL VERY FORTUNAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956128 · 2017-02-21 (February 21, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT VAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. ..UPDATED 04/13/17*BF UPDATED 05/15/17 *BF *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967801 · 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)
THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE IN TRANSIT POWER STEERING GOES OUT FIRST BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON VEHICLE STOPS CAN NOT RESTART
Owner-reported narrative. 20,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11220330 · 2019-06-15 (June 15, 2019)
SOME DRIVING POSITIONS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE SHIFT INDICATOR OR TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS. THIS MEANS IT MAY BE HARD TO TELL WHETHER THE TRANSMISSION IS A NEUTRAL, DRIVE OR MANUAL POSITION. I NEARLY HIT A DRIVER AND A CAR WASH BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS IN DRIVE. THERE IS AN OVERHANG THAT IS TOO LONG OBSCURING PART OF THE DASH.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11270038 · 2019-10-21 (October 21, 2019)
AFTER COMPLETION OF AN UNRELATED SAFETY RECALL ON LOCK LATCH INSTALL. I NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON & OFF. A SHOT TIME LATER, THE VEHICLE WHEN INTO PARK WHILE IN MOTION OFF RT. 15 IN THE TOWN OF GORDONSVILLE, VIRGINIA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE SHIFT LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AS IT NORMALLY WOULD. THIS EVENT NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE AT MADISON FORD IN MADISON VIRGINIA. THE TOWING COMPANY/FIRM HAD TO DRAG THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLAT BED TRUCK.THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11270038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873101 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A CHIME SOUND ALERTED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE ONCE MORE AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR MORE OF DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/14/16*L…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10873101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621200 · 2024-10-22 (October 22, 2024)
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the brakes and calipers needed to be replaced. While the mechanic was test driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer,…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11621200 at NHTSA ↗