NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect. Most complaints involve power train (8) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 23 mpg combined.
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, 2009 GMC SAVANA, AND 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CHASSIS, AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2008 THROUGH MAY 31, 2010 FOR FAILING TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING VEHICLE TESTING THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED HEAD INJURY CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE STANDARD. THE HEADLINER RETENTION PUSHPIN LOCATED ON THE HEADLINER ABOVE THE B-PILLAR TRIM ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLES NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“After placing vehicle in Park, vehicle rolled away and destroyed my mailbox. Luckily I was able to stop it inches away from neighbors car. There is a recall for other years, but none for this year. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer yet, however, after talking to the dealership service department, it is a common problem and would cost a lot to repair”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLLED ALL OF THE LOCKING MECHANISMS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHILE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, BOTH OF THE REAR SLIDING DOORS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.”
“IT WAS APRIL 2016 WHEN MY CAR STARTED RUNNING ERRATICALLY (LOSE POWER, ADD POWER) AND I INSTANTLY TOOK IT IN. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "RUSTY" PLUGS AND COIL; REPLACED FOR $845 AND AT 33,310 MILES. NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, ROUGH, AND HIGH THEN LOW POWER. IT "DROVE" ITSELF, SURGING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THEN STALLING. VERY SCARY. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS? THE WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLE GASKETS HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED, SO THEY "LEAKED" DOWNHILL ONTO THE ENGINE. APPARENTLY, FORD KNEW OR CAME TO KNOW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH MANY TCS, BUT THEY CHOSE NOT TO INFORM BUYERS. THE GASKETS COST $69.50. WITHOUT THIS KNOWLEDGE AND HAVING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED GASKETS, I PAID $845.15 PLUS $971.13. AT 33,402 MILES. YES IT TICKS ME OFF; I AM A DISABLED SENIOR AND I NEED THIS CAR FOR MY DOGS AND MY DISABILITY SCOOTER. BOO ON FORD. AND INDEED, WHEN I WAS POINTED UPHILL PARKING IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR SURGED - HEADED STRAIGHT FOR A CAR. THANK GOODNESS I WAS HEADED UPHILL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ... AFTER HAVING PAID $845.15 BEFORE REALIZING THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND ADDING THE ADDITIONAL $971.13 BEGINNING THE NEXT DAY. (IF ANYONE NEEDS THEM I CAN TAKE DOCS TO STORE TO SCAN AND UPLOAD.) *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (8), electrical system (7), engine (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Ford Transit Connect at 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).