NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Ford Transit Connect Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Ford Transit Connect has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 32 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Ford Transit Connect owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Transit Connect, describing incidents dated January 10, 2013 to March 23, 2024.

Most-cited components

Power Train 7 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Structure 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 3 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints

Of the 32 complaints on file, 3 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11579235 · Filed March 25, 2024
The Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember had rusted though and the front tires become out of alignment SUDDENLY causing the vehicle to veer of course. The vehicle is then disabled and must be towed and the Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember has to be replaced.
ODI #11526579 · Filed June 12, 2023
Power transmission failure due to electrical issues. 63k miles only.
ODI #11473987 · Filed July 14, 2022
Transmission. I was driving down the road in my Ford transit going 65 miles an hour I I started to have major transmission problems from traffic slow down so I slow down with it down to 30 miles an hour after doing so traffic sped back up and I could not get out of third gear when I realized how…

Read all 32 complaints

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

NHTSA #22V413000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2022 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 2,925,968 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 22S43 · Owners notified October 27, 2022

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

NHTSA #21V376000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2021 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 192,080 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 21S24 · Owners notified June 30, 2021

Defect description

Ford 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.

Safety consequence

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine Cylinder Head may Leak Oil

NHTSA #17V209000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2017 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 208,584 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 17S09 · Owners notified January 5, 2018 · Vehicles built June 13, 2013 – December 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

Safety consequence

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Wheelchair Lift - Platform Cracking

NHTSA #14V706000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported November 5, 2014 · Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply

Potentially affected: 34 vehicles

Repair completion: 26.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14E-041 · Owners notified January 13, 2015 · Vehicles built January 1, 2006 – October 8, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Safety consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Manufacturer remedy

Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2013 Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 2, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

26% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

32 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect.

Suspension

ODI #11579235

Incident: March 23, 2024 · Filed: March 25, 2024

The Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember had rusted though and the front tires become out of alignment SUDDENLY causing the vehicle to veer of course. The vehicle is then disabled and must be towed and the Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember has to be replaced.

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11526579

Incident: June 8, 2023 · Filed: June 12, 2023

Power transmission failure due to electrical issues. 63k miles only.

Power Train

ODI #11473987

Incident: July 1, 2022 · Filed: July 14, 2022

Transmission. I was driving down the road in my Ford transit going 65 miles an hour I I started to have major transmission problems from traffic slow down so I slow down with it down to 30 miles an hour after doing so traffic sped back up and I could not get out of third gear when I realized how fast I was going in third gear and it would not shift, I tried to slow down and then re-accelerate to see if it would shift when it shifted in the fourth gear it never left fourth gear and revs back to 8000 RPMs at that point the check engine light came on with the gear light in with the transmission light and I lost all power and I could only drive in second gear so I drove in second gear to the shop. Problem with transmission confirmed by independent shop.

Power Train

ODI #11473581

Crash

Incident: July 12, 2022 · Filed: July 12, 2022

The Transit was parked on a slope and was in "Park", but it rolled back down the slope and hit a parked car.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11470635

Incident: June 1, 2021 · Filed: June 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front driver’s side door was unlatched independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the front driver’s side door also failed to latch. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact attempted to speak to the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The failure mileage was unknown.

Electrical System; Structure; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11461601

Incident: March 21, 2022 · Filed: April 21, 2022

The muffler split open most likely from a clog. Because of that, the exhaust was directed toward the floor of the truck instead of going out of the muffler. As a result, it burnt through the heat shield, the back of the truck, melted the wiring harness, and burned a hole straight through the fuel tank. A mechanic took out the fuel tank and when it was being dropped out fuel spilled everywhere and there was a hole in the side of the tank. Since the wiring harness was melted, there was no power and no fuel pump power. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the car could have easily started on fire, or the fuel tank could have blown up and injured the driver or worse.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11354374

Incident: September 11, 2020 · Filed: September 11, 2020

I TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST THIS MORNING. LEFT MY DRIVEWAY AND GOT MAYBE A HALF MILE AND HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE. IT BLEW A HOLE OUT OF MY BACK DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE. I MEAN IT BLEW A HOLE OUT OF IT. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE.THE REAR DEFROST BLEW A HOLE IN MY WINDOW! I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT HAD BEEN ON FOR LIKE 2-3 MINUTES WHEN IT HAPPENED.

Seat Belts

ODI #11354142

Incident: July 10, 2018 · Filed: September 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE WITH NO ROOM TO MOVE, MAKING IT FEEL LIKE THE PASSENGER WOULD BE STRANGLED. THE CONTACT CALLED HASSETT FORD LOCATED AT 3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, (516) 785-7800, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

Power Train

ODI #11343405

Incident: July 23, 2020 · Filed: August 5, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUVAL FORD (1616 CASSAT AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32210) WHERE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CAP CAME DETACHED ALLOWING HER TO PUT HER FINGER INSIDE THE SHIFTER AND SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IN 2018, THEY WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD COLLIDED WITH THE BUMPER OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AS

Structure

ODI #11326431

Incident: May 28, 2020 · Filed: May 29, 2020

MY TRANSIT IS ONLY 7 YEAR OLD AND THE CHASIS LOOK REALLY BAD THERE IS A LOT OF RUST IN ALL CHASIS. *TR

Other Ford Transit Connect model years

Check your 2013 Ford Transit Connect VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Transit Connect at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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