2016 Ford Transit Connect: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 104 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (13% of complaints); the 2015 and 2017 and 2018 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving to work passenger front wheel locked overheating brakes and smoking had to have towed to jones ford in Shalotte North Carolina today”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the glass panel from the sunroof unexpectedly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the adhesive securing the sunroof glass had failed, causing the panel to detach. The contact was informed that the adhesive needs to be replaced to reattach the glass panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact expressed concerns that the failure had made the vehicle unsafe and that the children no longer wanted to ride in the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear sliding door failed to remain securely closed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was advised that the failure was not related to a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V502000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V260000 (VISIBILITY). The contact stated that while one of the employees was driving at various speeds, the sunroof collapsed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The contact noticed that the sun visor was not installed. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer however, the dealer refused to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 91,387. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted to reverse(R), the rearview camera image failed to display a clear image. The local dealer advised the contact that the recall warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired because the VIN was no longer under recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear without warning. The contact continued driving and while coming to a stop light the failure recurred. The contact attempted to accelerate when the light turned green, and the vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral, and the contact nearly crashed into another vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over at a gas station and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where the cable shifter bushing was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while her husband was operating the vehicle, the front driver side door failed to shut closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V502000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer informed the contact that the recall was expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2024
“Going down highway at 70 mph, no power all of a sudden. No warning. Made it to the side, stranded. Transmission needs to be replaced, 83000 miles”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2023
“Calipers and brake pads were replaced and still front brakes locking up. Unable to drive. Also, I had to replace a brand new brain on the van over $3000 electrical. The contact stated the vehicle is not working and needs help.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2023
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to turn the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering (EPS) needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no power steering recall for his VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Transit Connect by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The most complained-about area is structure (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.