Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 159 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.2 times the median Transit Connect year — the 2014 model ranks #1 of 13 Transit Connect years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (28), other (23), and electrical system (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.
159
NHTSA complaints
15
Recalls
2
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
5
NCAP overall · of 5 stars
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 28 | 18% | ▲ up |
| Other | 23 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 20 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 14 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 13 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 12 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 10 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 10 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 7 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 7 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Driver Assistance | 4 | 3% | new |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 1% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — flat |
15 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles. The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.
Consequence
An unlatched door can open while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S36.
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.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which may result in the panel separating from the vehicle.
Consequence
Panoramic roof panel separation while driving can increase the risk of an injury or crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 16V-695. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S35.
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.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water leak, and in some cases, separation from the vehicle.
Consequence
If the panoramic roof panel separates from the vehicle while it is being driven, it may increase the risk of an injury or crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S22.
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.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured October 4, 2013, to July 14, 2014 and equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. The panoramic roof panel may have an inadequate bond to the vehicle, possibly resulting in the panel separating from the vehicle.
Consequence
If the panoramic roof panel separates from the vehicle while it is being driven, it may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S35.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Consequence
If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C03.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 6, 2013, to September 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the upper seat belt bolts may have been improperly torqued, allowing them to loosen over time.
Consequence
If the seat belt anchorage fasteners loosen over time, there is an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original seatbelt fasteners with properly torqued fasteners, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S03.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Consequence
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Transit Connect cargo vans manufactured August 9, 2013, to September 20, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped with sliding door panels that may have an improper bond strength between the plastic panel and paint primer. This could cause the door panel to separate from the vehicle while driving.
Consequence
If the plastic sliding door panel separates while driving, it can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reinstall the panel with proper materials, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S26.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to July 10, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the fuel and vapor lines may have been incorrectly installed in the engine compartment, allowing the two lines to make contact.
Consequence
Contact between the two lines may result in abrasion and a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel line routing. If the fuel line has been routed incorrectly, it will be replaced and routed correctly. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S24.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, through May 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a brake reservoir cap that does not have the required text advising owners which brake fluid the vehicle uses. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence
Without the correct brake reservoir label on the cap someone may add the wrong brake fluid, causing damage to the brake system seals, resulting in brake fluid leaks, lengthened stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford has notified owners. Dealers will replace the brake reservoir cap with a correct one, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C06.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE SPRING-LOADED CONICAL DOOR WEDGE RECEIVER SPONTANEOUSLY BECOMES DISASSEMBLED, IMPEDING DOOR CLOSURE. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME OR MY WIFE ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IT RENDERS THE DOOR INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STATIONARY, IN PARKING LOTS OR DRIVEWAYS…”
“Seatbelt failed, did not restrain the driver. Available for inspection. Steering wheel was the only item stopping the drivers momentum Not at this time. No warning.”
“AFTER OWNING THIS VEHICLE THE HORN QUIT, AT 49865 MILES. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM ON A FORD VEHICLE SIMILAR TO MINE. THE REPAIR SEEMS SIMPLE BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITHOUT AN HORN. THE HORN STARTED NOT WORKING ON AND OFF THEN QUIT…”
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that he was unable to close the front driverâs side door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the driverâs side door latch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case opened.…”
“THERE WAS A RECALL FOR POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE ISSUES. I TOOK THE VAN TO FOR SEVERAL TIME TO ASK ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE I HAD WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I EVENTUALLY SOLD THE VAN TO A FRIEND OF MINE WITH ABOUT 106,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO ADVISED HIM OF THE RECALL INFO AND TOLD HIM FORD…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 159 complaints put the 2014 model at #1 of 13 Transit Connect years. It is one of the Transit Connect years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (28 complaints), other (23 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Ford Transit Connect. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.