VehicleVerdict

2020 Ford Transit Connect problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Ford Transit Connect sits mid-pack among Transit Connect years: 38 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 38, with 8 recalls and no defect investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (26% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Transit Connect years?

Transit Connect NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit Connect years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1026%
Visibility & Wipers616%
Brakes513%
Other513%
Driver Assistance411%
Speed Control25%
Engine25%
Fuel System13%
Electrical System13%
Airbags13%
Steering13%

Does the 2020 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.

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.

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 failure in my 2.0L Ford Transit Connect at approximately 94,000 miles. When I shift into reverse, the van sometimes drives forward instead of backing up — as if the transmission is confused or stuck in the wrong gear. Over time, reverse completely stopped working altogether.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 16, 2025 · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was condensation leaking from the top of the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V192000 (Visibility). The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 21, 2024

VEHICLE OPERATOR WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST WHEN MERGING, 65 MPH, THEN LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK A SAFETY BARRIER. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH, A FIRE STARTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SEE ATTACHMENT. *TR*DT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 20, 2020 · crash · fire

ABS Hydraulic control unit pump malfunction. vehicles brakes locked up on the highway and could of caused an accident. this is a known and common issue with these vans. this type of thing shouldnt happen my vehicle has only has 67,000 miles on it. I have seen other report this issue with less miles…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 29, 2026

Three summers in a row now the transmission "overheats" causing warning lights and errors to pop up while driving, then going away. Sometimes disabling vehicle power altogether. When control does come back, transmission gear changes happen at the wrong rpm , stuttering the vehicle and making…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 31, 2022

2020 Ford Transit Connect — common questions

Is the 2020 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

It is close to typical for the Transit Connect: 38 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 Transit Connect problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (10 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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.