VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Ford Transit Connect sits mid-pack among Transit Connect years: 30 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (7), visibility & wipers (6), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

30

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted159 complaints2010: 56 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 38 complaints2014: 159 complaints2015: 78 complaints2016: 144 complaints2017: 32 complaints2018: 32 complaints2019: 72 complaints2020: 38 complaints2021: 14 complaints2022: 7 complaints
Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System723%
Visibility & Wipers620%
Transmission413%
Engine413%
Speed Control27%
Brakes27%
Steering13%
Body & Structure13%
Suspension13%
Other13%
Lighting13%

Does the 2011 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V374000Visibility & WipersAugust 2, 2012 · 16,330 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm.

Consequence

If the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 9, 2015

“WE HAD A WINDSHIELD WIPER FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A STORM. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO REPAIR SHOP THE OTHER WIPER FELL OFF. WE DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND SHOWED SOME VEHICLES FOR THAT ISSUE WERE RECALLED BUT OURS WAS NOT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT AND FORD WILL NOT PAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 28, 2015

“WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 24, 2020

“DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 9, 2015

“IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. I SET THE CURSE CONTROL AT APPROX. 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, OCCASIONALLY THE SPEED WILL DROP DRAMATICALLY BELOW THE SET SPEED AND THEN START TO SPEED UP AGAIN BUT WAY PASTED THE 60 MPH SET. I HAVE TO DIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 20, 2012

2011 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit Connect: 30 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2011 Ford Transit Connect. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Transit Connect years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Transit Connect years to avoid are 2014, 2016, 2015, 2019. The cleanest record among Transit Connect years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.