NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
This page covers 8 recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Transit Connect.
The 2020 Ford Transit Connect draws the most complaints around its powertrain, with transmission issues leading the way. Owners frequently report sluggishness and jerking during acceleration, and several describe more serious failures where reverse gear behaves erratically, engaging forward instead of backing up, before stopping to work altogether. Visibility complaints center on windshield sealing failures: owners describe the windshield adhesive letting go, allowing water to pour into the cabin during rain. That water intrusion shows up in follow-on problems, including electrical faults with the radio and backup camera, plus mold growth inside the vehicle. Brake complaints are also worth noting, with multiple owners reporting the ABS hydraulic control unit failing and causing the brakes to lock up at highway speeds, requiring replacement of the unit.
30
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
By System
The 2020 Ford Transit Connect has 8 recalls, the most serious being drivetrain issues that can cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direction or lose transmission function entirely.
Two recalls address the shifter cable bushing, which can degrade or fall off and prevent the transmission from engaging the intended gear, leaving the vehicle free to roll in an unexpected direction. A separate transmission concern involves loose or missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator, which can cause transmission fluid to leak and eventually result in complete loss of drive. On the engine side, the powertrain control module software uses temperature thresholds that are set too high, which can delay the cooling response when coolant is lost and allow the engine to overheat to the point of catching fire. A prior repair attempt for this issue did not fully resolve it for some vehicles, and those remain under a separate recall. There is also an airbag concern: some vehicles left the factory with frontal airbag modules missing internal propellant components, meaning the bag may not deploy properly in a crash. The windshield on certain vehicles may not be adequately bonded to the body and can detach in a collision. Finally, a software issue can cause the rearview camera to display a blank image while reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine's control software has incorrect temperature limits, which may delay cooling and cause the engine to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the shifter cable to the transmission can wear down or come loose, potentially affecting shift control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the worn bushing and install a protective cap over the cable bushing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front windshield may not be securely bonded to the vehicle body, potentially allowing it to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the windshield and remove and reinstall it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the shifter cable to the transmission can wear down or come loose, potentially affecting gear selection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing and install a protective cap at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or passenger frontal air bag module is missing internal propellant and sleeve components, preventing proper inflation in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the defective air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine's control software has temperature limits set higher than they should be. If coolant leaks out, the engine may overheat because the cooling system doesn't kick in soon enough.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software at no cost to restore proper temperature limits and cooling response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The start/stop accumulator endcap may be missing bolts or have loose bolts, which could affect the start/stop system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.