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Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD

2019 Ford Transit ConnectRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect. Most complaints involve power train (24) and service brakes (17). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
51
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Mar 28, 2025NHTSA 25V196000

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
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

51 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2019 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train24
  2. Service brakes17
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Back over prevention4
  5. Visibility/wiper3
  6. Forward collision avoidance2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  8. Air bags2
  9. Engine1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

24 reports
“Since I’ve bought it at 48,000 miles the van has always had hard engagements on 1 gear and 2nd. I knew the transmission was bad a week after I bought it at the ford dealership. All they did under their limited warranty was a transmission flush. Now it has 70,000 and the torque converter is toast now. I was on the interstate going 70mph. Let off the gas and a huge aggressive deceleration happened and I almost lost control. It is constant issue now when going over 70mph. Took it to ford, no transmission codes so they didn’t try fix it or find anything wrong. Noticing high rpms trying to get up to speed. Torque converter is clearly slipping.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Power trainODI 11744955

Service brakes

17 reports
“The vehicle has only been driven for 24K miles and there was an issue with the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and the recommendation is for it to be completely replaced. Seems ridiculous if the ABS Hydralic Control Unit is meant to last 100k-200k miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2026Service brakesODI 11735649

Electrical system

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the electrical system failed to respond, and the vehicle turned off. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no power to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed along with a taillight repair. On a separate occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond, the transmission was not shifting properly, which caused the vehicle to jerk. The contact stated that while driving after the engine had warmed up, the vehicle would unintendedly stop. The contact returned from a trip and the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11652334
All 2019 Transit Connect problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · 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 29, 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 Wagon LWB FFV
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
242926$2,450344
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
242926$2,450344
Transit Connect Van 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
242725$2,550353
Transit Connect Van FFV
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
242725$2,550353
Transit Connect USPS
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900397
Transit Connect Van 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900396
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Ford Transit Connect as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 13268Vehicle 13267
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

2019 Transit Connect questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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 2019 Ford Transit Connect problems?

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (24), service brakes (17), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Ford Transit Connect at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026