2020 Ford Transit Connect: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Transit Connect years.
One of the Ford Transit Connect years to avoid. All Transit Connect years
116 owner complaints, most about power train. 16 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2020 Ford Transit Connect has 116 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and seats. Owners most often flag erratic transmission behavior in newer models: rough shifts, surging acceleration, rpm fluctuation at constant throttle (noted in 2019-2020 models with 8-speed automatic).
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Ford Transit Connect vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Transit Connect years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Transit Connect?
Across the 14 Transit Connect model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2023) to 259 (2016). With 116 complaints, the 2020 Transit Connect sits above the model's median of 79.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Transit Connect
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 20V791000Ford 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."
engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Campaign 20V636000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 20V550000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 21V376000Ford 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.
Show 12 more recalls
visibility:windshield
Campaign 22V192000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 22V413000Ford 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 train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 25V196000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 21V978000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 20V415000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
seat belts:front:retractor
Campaign 20V250000National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van Builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit and 2019 Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 20V575000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable
Campaign 21V631000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
seat belts:front:retractor
Campaign 20V222000TransitWorks is recalling certain Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 23V499000Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Campaign 25V876000Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. The first-generation model (approximately 2010-2013) is frequently criticized for significant transmission reliability issues, poor driving dynamics, and a cheap, unrefined feel, particularly on long journeys.
- RecurrentErratic transmission behavior in newer models
Rough shifts, surging acceleration, RPM fluctuation at constant throttle (noted in 2019-2020 models with 8-speed automatic).
Owner insights cover all generations of the Transit Connect. See the full Transit Connect owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Transit Connect listings typically run $13,599–$20,795 across 2014 to 2023 model years.
Other Transit Connect model years
Compare every Transit Connect year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Transit Connect against its rivals
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