VehicleVerdict

2019 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 72 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Transit Connect year — the 2019 model ranks #4 of 13 Transit Connect years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (33% of the total).

72

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2433%
Brakes1926%
Driver Assistance811%
Electrical System710%
Other68%
Visibility & Wipers46%
Airbags23%
Tires & Wheels11%
Engine11%

Does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

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

25V442000Driver AssistanceJune 27, 2025 · 200,237 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

25V196000TransmissionMarch 28, 2025 · 152 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V-636. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay engine cooling and result in engine overheating.

Consequence

An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S32.

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.

20V791000AirbagsDecember 17, 2020 · 12 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.

20V636000TransmissionOctober 15, 2020 · 2,903 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay the fail-safe cooling strategy in the event of coolant loss and result in engine overheating.

Consequence

If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S60.

20V550000TransmissionSeptember 10, 2020 · 97 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

Consequence

Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Transmission locks up on road, bringing van to a stop. At 80,000 miles the transmission went out. Ford replaced whole transmission with extended warranty. At 149,000 miles transmission went out again. Same thing, Planitary gear broke, silonoid for shifting had to be relaced, clutches worn to metal.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 23, 2023

“Damaged torque converter pump and foreward planetary assy bushings. Jerks when accelerating, loses power, hesitates backing up. Overhaul of torque converter, reseal and reassemble. Hydraulic control unit not working properly and break on left front does not release and overheats. Replaced hydraulic…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 25, 2025

“ON GOING, I HAVE PICTURES OF MULTIPLE STAGES WITH THE MILEAGE. THE WIPERS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. THE CAR HAS GONE IN MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS. THE HOSE CONTINUES TO DISCONNECT. THE REAR CAMERA, SENSORS, CHARGING MECHANISMS MALFUNCTION. IT ACTIVATES THE REAR CAMERA IT ALSO SAYS PARKING ISSUE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 8, 2021

“Transmission converter and Ford refuses to honor the repair. It does not show on their computer yet the RPM needle goes up and down on stealth mode. The wiper hose keeps coming off. The back up camera kept going black. The AC went out at less than 40,000 miles. The software will not update. The eco…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2020

“Our employee was on a job site, parked and exited the vehicle and it rolled into a fence causing damage to the hood, fender and headlight. There was no warning chime that the vehicle was not in park. No one was in the vehicle at the time and no one was injured. Because there were no injuries, we…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 12, 2020 · crash

2019 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 72 complaints put the 2019 model at #4 of 13 Transit Connect years. It is one of the Transit Connect years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (24 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), driver assistance (8 complaints).

Does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 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.

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.