Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, brakes, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | FWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | FWD | 22 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylFlex fuel | FWD | 26 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
ABS-related brake drag
27,272–34,000 miles
Automatic transmission failure
80,000–91,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The 8-speed automatic transmission fails without warning, usually between 80,000 and 91,000 miles. Before it quits, it shifts harshly, slips in the middle gears, struggles in low gears, or drops into limp mode. Some vans refuse to move in reverse or forward until the key is cycled. Others clunk and stall while slowing for a light, leaving drivers stuck in traffic. Most say no warning lights came on first. Dealers often call for a full replacement, with estimates over $8,000, and some owners report a second failure after the first replacement.
A brake grabs on its own while the van is moving. One caliper stays clamped, so the van pulls to one side, drags hard, and slows suddenly when the driver lifts off the gas, sometimes from 65 mph on the highway. Wheels lock, smoke, and give off a burning smell, and some owners worry about fire. Dealers and shops usually blame the ABS module, and replacing pads, rotors, and calipers alone does not fix it. Failures show up early, around 27,272 to 34,000 miles, and usually without any warning light.
Pre-collision assist engages on its own with nothing in front of the van, along with a buzzing noise. One report puts this at about 300 miles, and dealers could not reproduce it. Owners also describe a screen that freezes and a backup camera that acts up. The alarm goes off over and over with a pet inside because dealers cannot set up the reduced guard function. One owner also had a lighting module replaced during a brake and transmission repair. With only three complaints, these read as separate problems rather than one repeated fault.
Excerpts from complaints Transit Connect Wagon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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 system would not work properly. The passenger bag is not detected.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Transmission had high RPM's intermittently shifting out of lower gears and experienced poor gas mileage prior to complete failure. complete failure occurred at a complete stop and would not go in any gear but 8th gear. no check engine light at failure. $8300 to replace transmission at 77k miles. transmission fluid cannot be checked or maintained by owner.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
anti-lock brake system failure (ABS). resulting in my driver side front and rear breaks being applied without applying the break pedal. while i was driving on the Garden State Parkway, my vehicle would abruptly slow down when i eased up on my gas pedal. this could have potentially caused a rear end collision by a driver behind me. I then exited the Highway. I also noticed a burning smell coming from my breakes.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
While traveling, ABS Braking system intermittently engaged a single Caliper and prevented it from retracting. This causes a sudden slowing off the vehicle, creating the risk of collision, particularly while traveling on the highway. An independent service center inspected the vehicle, and reported a computer code referencing the abs/brake booster as the source of the problem.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 5 Transit Connect Wagon years we cover, about 3.2 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the sixth model year of the Transit Connect Wagon's second generation (2014–2023).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2019
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 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.".
Risk: Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Transit Connect Wagon, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
