Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD

2017 Ford Transit ConnectRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 28 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2025
Owner complaints
28
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Sep 4, 2025NHTSA 25V572000

Visibility: fixed panaramic roof

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Apr 26, 2024NHTSA 24V294000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Jun 10, 2022NHTSA 22V413000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2017 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Visibility4
  4. Back over prevention3
  5. Power train3
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Steering2
  9. Exterior lighting1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Transit Connect model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201042
201124
201226
201332
2014128
201566
2016104
201728
201822
201951
202032
202112
20226
20231
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

5 reports
“This was happened [XXX] in Mesa CO in winter storms negative temperatures and foot of heavy snow far away from anything car simultaneously looks with running engines when I went out of the car with my winter gear and telephone inside. For 4-5 hours didn’t find any body . I thinking I’m going to die.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2024Electrical systemODI 11581610

Service brakes

4 reports
“The brakes on my car would not release. After trying to repair we determined it was due to the abs module. Since the module has to be programed by a dealer to communicate with the ecm, I stopped and turned the car over to a Ford dealer. My car was built just outside a documented recall on the abs module. I told ford thir but they did not cover the repair. It is obvious another bad part got thru and my vehicle should be included. I wrote to the ntsb before, but never heard back. When ford replaced the abs module, I keep the bad part incase someone need to inspect the failed part.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2024Service brakesODI 11588975

Visibility

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while reversing with the rearview camera engaged, the screen became blurry or blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2024Visibility, Back over preventionODI 11625249
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Transit Connect Van 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800392
Transit Connect Van FFV
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800392
Transit Connect Wagon FFV
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900401
Transit Connect Wagon FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900407
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900407
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900407
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
— / 5
Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
Not rated
Rollover risk
0.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 11220Vehicle 11219
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Transit Connect questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Transit Connect have?

6 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.

What are the most common 2017 Ford Transit Connect problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), service brakes (4), visibility (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Ford Transit Connect get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Ford Transit Connect at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Ford Transit Connect?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Ford Transit Connect 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026