VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 144 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Transit Connect year — the 2016 model ranks #2 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 visibility & wipers (22), electrical system (18), and brakes (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

144

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers2215%
Electrical System1813%
Brakes1712%
Engine1410%
Body & Structure139%
Transmission139%
Other128%
Steering86%
Speed Control75%
Tires & Wheels64%
Driver Assistance43%
Airbags32%
Fuel System32%
Latches & Locks21%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

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

25V572000Driver AssistanceSeptember 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

23V502000Latches & LocksJuly 21, 2023 · 112,225 units

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.

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.

22V192000Visibility & WipersMarch 25, 2022 · 39,720 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.

Consequence

During a crash, the windshield may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S20.

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.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

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.

20V305000Seat BeltsMay 27, 2020 · 1,616 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles. The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioners may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S25.

20V260000Visibility & WipersMay 8, 2020 · 5,088 units

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.

16V643000Latches & LocksSeptember 6, 2016 · 2,046,297 units

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.

16V482000BrakesJune 29, 2016 · 1,895 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through June 16, 2016. The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

If the brake HCU pump is contaminated, the performance of the electronic stability control and related brake systems may degrade, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the brake HCU pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 16C10.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 20V260000 MY GLASS IS CRACKED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK MY VEHICLE APART AND THEN REALIZED THE REPLACEMENT GLASS WAS BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO SECURE THE GLASS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. FORD STATES THE GLASS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 6, 2020

After battery replacement, the power steering (the EPAS system) failed. The dashboard-gauges display said, "STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED." After towing and diagnosis, my mechanic said the system had to be reprogramed at a dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2022

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUSINESS 85 HEADING TO WORK, I WAS TRAVELING 65MPH MY VAN SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, AS I'M TRYING TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY MY FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL, TOWED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 5, 2020

THE VEHICLE IN MOTION ALL OF A SUDDEN ON FIRE AND BURNED AND REDUCED TO CHARCOAL ED FRAMES. ALL EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND PARTS FOR AC AND HOME REMODELING BURNED. DRIVER ESCAPED IN TIME WITH NO VISIBLE INJURY. POLICE HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR IMPOUND LOT.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 24, 2017 · fire

Vehicle failed to go into park when putting shift lever into the park position. Vehicle actually went into reverse instead even though the shift indicator showed the vehicle was in park. We could not shift the vehicle out of reverse. This was the result of a broken shift cable. This is the 2nd…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 13, 2021

2016 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 144 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 13 Transit Connect years. It is one of the Transit Connect years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (22 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), brakes (17 complaints).

Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Ford Transit Connect. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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 2016 Ford Transit Connect?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Ford Transit Connect earned an overall rating of 5 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.