2014 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT: complaints, problems and recalls

THE VEHICLE WE BOUGHT IS FROM HUFFMAN FORD. ON FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, WE WERE DRIVING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR GOT OVERHEATED. IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, THAT AFTERNOON WE WENT TO AUTO NATION KATY SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SINCE IT IS CLOSER TO WHERE WE LIVE THAN HUFFMAN. WE TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGERS [XXX], AND [XXX] AND THEY INFORMED US THAT WE WOULD GET A CALL THAT EVENING ABOUT THE VEHICLE. WE WAITED ALL EVENING, BUT WE DIDN'T GET A CALL FROM THEM. THE NEXT MORNING WE WENT BACK OVER …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597237 at NHTSA ↗

THE EASY FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS BADLY ESPECIALLY OVER 75 DEGREES. I CAN SMELL THE STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION IT SET OFF THE MIL LIGHT FOR THE "SMALL LEAK" IN THE EVAP SYSTEM. IT HAS NOW SET A PERMANENT CODE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE FLAP DOES NOT TIGHTLY SEAT ENOUGH TO CONTAIN THE GAS VAPOR AND THE UNIT OUT GASSES BADLY. IT COULD BE A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. ANY OPEN FLAME, SPARK ON A JOB SITE, OR JUST SOME GOOF WITH A LIT SMOKE COULD SET OFF A FIRE BALL. AT PRESENT THE UNIT IS PARKED, AS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT LESS IT BECOME A…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614861 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS AIM AT GROUND APPROX 30-40 FT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. CAN NOT SEE BEYOND THAT AT NIGHT. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY ADJUSTED THEM SO NOW I CAN SEE ABOUT 2-3 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME AT ANY SPEED. DEALER SAID THEY WERE FINE EVEN THE WAY THEY WERE. I HAVE HAD 2 CLOSE CALL EVENTS, ONE INVOLVING A PEDESTRIAN, I WANT THIS TO BE ON RECORD FOR THE TIME WHEN IT IS NOT JUST A CLOSE CALL AND I ACTUALLY HIT SOMEONE. L AM ALSO REPORTING THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER IS AUTOFAIR OF MANCHESTER, NH.

Owner-reported narrative. 39 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649950 at NHTSA ↗

PERHAPS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT THE REAR AREA OF THE 7 PASSENGER IS NOT HEATED, CAUSING DISCOMFORT TO PASSENGERS AND PETS. ACTUALLY, THE REAR "HEATER" BLOWS COLD AIR. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE INSPECTED MY VEHICLE (5800 MILES) AND BOTH REPORTED THAT THE DESIGN IS, "INADEQUATE", "POOR", "NOT THOUGHT OUT", "CRAPPY" AND SO ON. THAT WAS THE ONLY EXPLANATION THEY COULD TENDER. I HAVE POSTED THIS SITUATION OF THE TRANSIT CONNECT FORUM AND HAVE NOTED THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST PAID $32,000 FOR A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAS A TOTALLY IN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10669599 at NHTSA ↗

LOWER CENTER COUNSEL WHERE THE DRIVERS RIGHT LEG (JUST UNDER KNEE) TOUCHES BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT WHILE RUNNING THE HEAT ON HIGH AT A 2-4 FAN SPEED. CAUSED A 2ND DEGREE BURN THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680102 at NHTSA ↗

THE FORD 2014 INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTING IS ALWAYS ON, AND VERY OFTEN AT NIGHT DUE TO THIS CONDITION I FORGET TO TURN ON MY DRIVING LIGHTS, MAKING FOR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL AND TEMP GAUGE) ARE NESTED IN DEEP BEZELS FORD HAD TO ILLUMINATE THEM DURING THE DAY TO MAKE THEM VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT. FORD TRANSIT CONNECT WITHOUT AUTO-HEADLIGHTS HAVE THIS UNSAFE CONDITION THAT FOOLS THE DRIVER INTO THINKING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE NOT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691734 at NHTSA ↗

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR THE FIRST OIL CHANGE AND IT WAS NOTED THE TRANS AXLE WAS LEAKING. THIS IS THE 2ND VEHICLE WE HAVE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO - 2014 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. FORD DOES NOT SEEM CONCERNED ABOUT IT. THE FIRST VEHICLE TOOK ~ 2 WEEKS TO GET REPAIRED. FORD HAS ORDERED THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE, BUT CAN'T FIT IT IN THEIR SERVICE SCHEDULE. IT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,714 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692284 at NHTSA ↗

THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I OPENED IT AND THEN IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. A LITTLE PLASTIC SPRING / PLUNGER FROM THE "B" POST HAD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE PIN ON THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO CLOSE. THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO CLOSE OTHER THAN TO MANUALLY WORK AND REMOVE THIS SPRING FROM THE DOOR PIN, HOWEVER THE PLASTIC PART OF THE SPRING / PLUNGER IS STILL IMPALED ON THE DOOR PIN. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR - BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT KEEPS THE DOOR FROM PROPERLY CLOS…

Owner-reported narrative. 480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10693384 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, through May 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a brake reservoir cap that does not have the required text advising owners which brake fluid the vehicle uses. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Without the correct brake reservoir label on the cap someone may add the wrong brake fluid, causing damage to the brake system seals, resulting in brake fluid leaks, lengthened stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners. Dealers will replace the brake reservoir cap with a correct one, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C06.

Reported: 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to July 10, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the fuel and vapor lines may have been incorrectly installed in the engine compartment, allowing the two lines to make contact.

Consequence: Contact between the two lines may result in abrasion and a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel line routing. If the fuel line has been routed incorrectly, it will be replaced and routed correctly. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S24.

Reported: 2014-12-05 (December 5, 2014)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Transit Connect cargo vans manufactured August 9, 2013, to September 20, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped with sliding door panels that may have an improper bond strength between the plastic panel and paint primer. This could cause the door panel to separate from the vehicle while driving.

Consequence: If the plastic sliding door panel separates while driving, it can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reinstall the panel with proper materials, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S26.

Reported: 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.

Reported: 2015-01-30 (January 30, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 6, 2013, to September 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the upper seat belt bolts may have been improperly torqued, allowing them to loosen over time.

Consequence: If the seat belt anchorage fasteners loosen over time, there is an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original seatbelt fasteners with properly torqued fasteners, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S03.

Reported: 2015-06-24 (June 24, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence: If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C03.

Reported: 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Reported: 2016-09-27 (September 27, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured October 4, 2013, to July 14, 2014 and equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. The panoramic roof panel may have an inadequate bond to the vehicle, possibly resulting in the panel separating from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the panoramic roof panel separates from the vehicle while it is being driven, it may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S35.

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.

Reported: 2020-05-08 (May 8, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water leak, and in some cases, separation from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the panoramic roof panel separates from the vehicle while it is being driven, it may increase the risk of an injury or crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S22.

Reported: 2020-06-08 (June 8, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

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.

Reported: 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which may result in the panel separating from the vehicle.

Consequence: Panoramic roof panel separation while driving can increase the risk of an injury or crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 16V-695. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S35.

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.

Reported: 2023-07-21 (July 21, 2023)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles. The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.

Consequence: An unlatched door can open while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front door latches as necessary, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2024.  Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332.  Ford's number for this recall is 23S36.