VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Ford Transit Connect sits mid-pack among Transit Connect years: 35 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 9 reports (26% of the total). Its NCAP crash-test rating is 2 of 5 stars overall.

35

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

2

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers926%
Electrical System720%
Engine617%
Fuel System39%
Tires & Wheels39%
Seat Belts26%
Seats26%
Body & Structure26%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2012 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.

“ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 2, 2012 · crash

“AS I'M DRIVING HOME, I START TO SMELL AN UNUSUAL ODOR. I GET HOME , PULL IN DRIVE, TURN OFF TRANSIT AND START UNLOADING GROCERIES. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I CONTINUE TO UNLOAD WHILE I KEEP AN EYE ON THE SMOKE. IT WORSENS AND I REALIZE IT WAS ON FIRE AND BY NOW THERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 4, 2014 · fire

“THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING NORMAL IN SUBURBAN TRAFFIC. STOP & GO WITH SPEEDS UP TO 40 MPH. DURING STOP AT LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LITE IS ON. THE VEHICLE IS IN LIMP MODE. OBDII CODES: P0122, P0222, P2111, P2135. THROTTLE BODY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 29, 2015

“2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MISLEADING GAS MILEAGE, RADIO PROBLEMS, VEHICLE LOCKING ITSELF WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WIPERS WERE NOT CLEARLY THE SNOW AND RAIN FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2014

“I noticed the 2 rear P205/65R15 (with approximately 4,500 mi) had a small dip in the sidewall. Typically evident of belt breaks or some other defect. About four weeks later, the front 2 p205/65R15 (with approximately 2,500 mi) also display this same dip in the sidewall. I’ve not had a problem…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 17, 2022

2012 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit Connect: 35 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (9 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 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.

How safe is the 2012 Ford Transit Connect?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Ford Transit Connect earned an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

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.