2013 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 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 10568679 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
WINTER DRIVING VERY HAZARDOUS, WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR FLUID FREEZES IN COLD WEATHER. SALT BUILD-UP ON WINDSHIELD CAUSES VERY SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEM, FORCING DRIVER OFF THE ROAD TO HAND WASH WINDSHIELD. LOCATION OF RESERVOIR IS THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE............ *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10568679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573741 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,100.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588078 · 2014-05-13 (May 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY UP 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,905.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,905 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641589 · 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)
VEHICLE STOPS WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED, THEN MOVES FORWARD WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS HELD DOWN. VEHICLE THEM MOVES FORWARD ON ITS OWN,AGAIN, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL PEDAL PRESSURE UNTIL PEDAL NEARLY AT FLOOR. NUMEROUS DRIVERS IN THE OFFICE HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER (JONES FORD) WHO SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG - THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE AT LEAST FOUR DIFFERENT DRIVERS EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10672926 · 2015-01-16 (January 16, 2015)
AS A BUSINESS WE OWN (2) FORD TRANSIT 2013 VEHICLES. BOTH THESE VEHICLES HAD LARGE CRACKS TO APPEAR IN WINDSHIELDS WITH NO REASON. WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAD EXPERIENCED COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE BUT HAD NO RECALL ON FILE AND THEREFORE HAD NO OTHER RESPONSE. HAVING HAD (2) SUCH INCIDENTS, WE FEEL STRONGLY, THERE IS A DEFINITE DESIGN DEFECT WITH THESE WINDSHIELDS AND SOME COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER. THE MILEAGE ON THESE VEHICLES WAS BETWEEN 47,000 AND 50,000 MILES AT THE TIME THESE CRACK…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10672926 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V706000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V209000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2017-03-27 (March 27, 2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Consequence: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V376000 · Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2021-05-24 (May 24, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V413000 · Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2022-06-10 (June 10, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗