VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Ford Transit Connect sits mid-pack among Transit Connect years: 38 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (7), electrical system (6), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. Its NCAP crash-test rating is 2 of 5 stars overall.

38

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

2

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission718%
Electrical System616%
Engine513%
Body & Structure411%
Brakes38%
Speed Control25%
Lighting25%
Other25%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Fuel System13%
Latches & Locks13%
Seat Belts13%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V413000TransmissionJune 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 units

Defect

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.

21V376000TransmissionMay 24, 2021 · 192,080 units

Defect

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.

17V209000EngineMarch 27, 2017 · 208,584 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

Consequence

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

14V706000OtherNovember 5, 2014 · 34 units

Defect

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy

Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2017

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH WITH A BAD WIRING HARNESS, THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE YET FORD DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR FIXING IT. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY MAY GET THE REQUIRED PART. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2014

TAKATA RECALL - COOLING SYSTEM, OVERHEATING , DANGER - COULD CAUSE FIRE DUE TO OVER HEATING ! COOLANT LEVEL KEEPS DROPPING , NO WARNING !! ALWAYS WHILE DRIVING ! CAN'T GO FAR ! CAN'T DRIVE VEHICLE !!

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 10, 2018

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM GOING AT A SLOW OR FAST SPEED, THE DOOR-AJAR NOTIFICATION LIGHT MAY RANDOMLY TURN ON AND STAY ON. SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN ON WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 3, 2016

IN 45 MPH HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AT THE STOP SIGN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A TREE SECTION TOTLING THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 4, 2014 · crash

2013 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit Connect: 38 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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 2013 Ford Transit Connect?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 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.