2021 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 8 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 37.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 25.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 12.5% |
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 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Engine: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 11479256 · 2022-08-14 (August 14, 2022)
july2, 2022 Saturday, 4pm 2021 Ford transit connect titanium -Sudden unintended acceleration I was making a very slow (2-3mph) U-turn in an empty, very small strip mall parking lot with the brake being lightly pushed as I went around tight left turn. 3/4 thru the turn the van suddenly accelerated while I believe the brake pedal was still being pushed, I pushed the brake pedal down hard but the van continued to accelerate..it wouldn't slow down. The van jumped the curb and ran into a 4' square cement planter on the sidewalk, sliding the plant…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500742 · 2023-01-08 (January 8, 2023)
This vehicle keeps flashing service engine soon light and malfunction indicator lamp. Dealer is keep saying that there are nothing to fix the issue. However, they have noted that it might be related to fueling hole and also fuel misfire. Dealer is not addressing the issue and on the manual page 99, it advises not to operate the vehicle when both lights flash together. However, dealer is not addressing the issue. Please help.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11577242 · 2024-03-13 (March 13, 2024)
My windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. The windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. Caused electrical damage to the car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11577242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627527 · 2024-11-26 (November 26, 2024)
We have just passed 87,000 miles on our 2021 Ford Transit Connect and the transmission has had to be completely replaced. We were told at the transmission repair facility that ours was one of 4 2021 Ford Transit Connects in their shop alone with a whole transmission replacement within a 2 week time period. While our vehicle is outside of the mileage for the power train warranty from Ford, it is not outside of the time period. We feel that the significant amount of transmissions needing to be replaced on 2021 Ford Transit Connects is unreasonabl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11713644 · 2026-01-27 (January 27, 2026)
Two tires lock up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. The inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. There are no warning lamps. The vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. After towing to a service station, the ABS module failed and this caused damage to the brakes which had to be replaced.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11713644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729101 · 2026-04-03 (April 3, 2026)
Rear window in hatch door spontaneously shattered while I was driving to work this morning.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11739453 · 2026-05-22 (May 22, 2026)
The transmission hasn't been working correctly for the last 2 years. It was constantly shifting incorrectly, lagging, stuttering, and making driving difficult. It finally just stopped in the middle of traffic and would not move. It threw a diagnostic code of P0751, which we learned was related to a known issue with the vehicle, TSB 25-2550. The vehicle is now not drivable and had to be towed back home.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11739453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11739612 · 2026-05-22 (May 22, 2026)
Automatic braking system module System went out mid drive and Locked up the front right and back left brakes making vehicle immovable in the middle of the highway. Towed to a dealership where they had to remove and replace ABS module no warning lamps were present. No prior symptoms before failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11739612 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.
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 ↗21V592000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2021-07-30 (July 30, 2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.
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 ↗25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
NHTSA campaign record ↗