2016 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

FUEL EFFICIENCY FAR FROM STATED. THIS IA AN XLT MODEL WITH A 1.6L ECOBOOST ENGINE, AND A STATED MPG EFFICIENCY OF 25/29. THE ACTUAL MEASURED HWY EFFICIENCY IS 22.3 MPG WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL, AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY POSTED SPEED LIMITS, ON WIND-LESS, SUNNY DAYS, AND ZERO-LOAD OTHER THAN DRIVER'S WEIGHT. THE EFFICIENCY ABOVE NOTED HAS BEEN REPETITIVELY MEASURED OVER THE FIRST 3,500 MILES OF VEHICLE USE.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904706 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT AN ESTIMATED AND CONSTANT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEEPED AND "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN. GIVEN THE SPEEDS, THIS WAS DANGEROUS. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC AND COME TO A STOP IN A GRASSY AREA TO AVOID BLOCKING THE HIGHWAY. HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS OLD. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. …

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945601 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947834 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

VEHICLE HAS 17,888 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 40 MPH THE MOTOR STUMBLED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE STATING THERE WAS A SYSTEM FAULT AND TO SERVICE THE ENGINE NOW. I ROLLED TO A STOP, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, ATTEMPTED A RESTART AND THE VEHICLE RAN AS NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE CRUISING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STUMBLED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE STATING THERE WAS A SYSTEM FAULT AND TO SERVICE THE ENGINE NOW. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,888 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967525 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW MESSAGE APPEARS, SRS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND INFORMATION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN NON RESPONSIVE, AND ENGINE BEGINS VERY ROUGH IDLE. HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE TWICE IN THREE DAYS ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65-70MPH. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON SEEMS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE LONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2016. CURRENTLY HAS 13,100 MILES ON THE ODO…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10968004 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-06-29 (June 29, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through June 16, 2016. The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence: If the brake HCU pump is contaminated, the performance of the electronic stability control and related brake systems may degrade, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the brake HCU pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C10.

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: 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: 2020-05-27 (May 27, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles. The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioners may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S25.

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: 2022-03-25 (March 25, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.

Consequence: During a crash, the windshield may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S20.

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.

Reported: 2025-09-03 (September 3, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.