Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Ford Transit Connect problems

Owners filed 26 complaints about the 2012 Ford Transit Connect with NHTSA between Sep 2012 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is engine (6).

Complaints
26
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine6
  2. Visibility5
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Visibility/wiper4
  5. Structure2
  6. Seat belts2
  7. Seats2
  8. Tires2
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  10. Fuel system, gasoline2
  11. Fuel/propulsion system1
  12. Vehicle speed control1
  13. Traction control system1
  14. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20122
20134
20145
20155
20161
20170
20183
20191
20200
20210
20223
20230
20241
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

6 reports
“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE STOP, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND FINALLY THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WE PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM NEW AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2016EngineODI 10855603

Visibility

5 reports1 related recall
“The contact's boyfriend owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving 25 MPH, the windshield wiper arms failed to operate. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V374000 (Visibility) which she linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2022VisibilityODI 11472708

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2024Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11584273

Visibility/wiper

4 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DRIVER'S VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. LUTHER FAMILY FORD (3302 36TH STREET SOUTH, FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA 58104, (701) 282-2350) DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIVETS ON THE WIPERS WERE TOO SHORT AND THE PIVOT PIN WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIVETS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V374000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2018Visibility/wiperODI 11139647

Structure

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts were damp following a rainstorm. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the door seals on both front doors were allowing water to enter the vehicle, causing the seat belts to become damp. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,838.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2026StructureODI 11709702

Seat belts

2 reports
“The seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. It is available for inspection, see photos provided. Merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. The car was parked when the incident occurred. No, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No, there are no warnings or messages. The danger is inherent in the design.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2022Seat belts, SeatsODI 11489117
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.