VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 32 owner complaints run below the Transit Connect median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

32

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes825%
Visibility & Wipers619%
Electrical System516%
Other39%
Transmission39%
Driver Assistance26%
Steering26%
Engine13%
Lighting13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2017 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

6 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.

24V294000Visibility & WipersApril 26, 2024 · 1,315 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Transit Connect vehicles. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detaching from the vehicle.

Consequence

A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S29.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH in the rain, the vehicle in front of him made a sudden stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the other occupied vehicle. There were…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 8, 2022 · crash

“REAR WINDOW (IN THE HATCHBACK) CRACKED AND COMPLETELY BROKE APART WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, HAD NOT MOVED/DRIVEN/BEEN ON IN SEVERAL HOURS. NO SIGNS OF VANDALISM/IMPACT ANY OTHER INTERFERENCE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 30, 2021

“This was happened [XXX] in Mesa CO in winter storms negative temperatures and foot of heavy snow far away from anything car simultaneously looks with running engines when I went out of the car with my winter gear and telephone inside. For 4-5 hours didn’t find any body . I thinking I’m going to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 1967

“Transmission keeps slipping and failing to accelerate. Feels like my van is running over rumble strips and slows the speed down. This continues to happen at many different speeds. Sometimes often and sometimes intermittently. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 21, 2023

“REAR WINDOW (IN THE HATCHBACK) CRACKED AND COMPLETELY BROKE APART WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, HAD NOT MOVED/DRIVEN/BEEN ON IN SEVERAL HOURS. NO SIGNS OF VANDALISM/IMPACT ANY OTHER INTERFERENCE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 30, 2021

2017 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit Connect: 32 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Ford Transit Connect?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.