What 32 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Transit Connect Van

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.

NHTSA ODI 11579235

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

NHTSA ODI 11526579

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.

NHTSA ODI 11473987

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

NHTSA ODI 11473581

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.

NHTSA ODI 11470635

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.

NHTSA ODI 11461601

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.

NHTSA ODI 11354374

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.

NHTSA ODI 11354142

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

NHTSA ODI 11343405

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

NHTSA ODI 11326431

TAKATA RECALL - COOLING SYSTEM, OVERHEATING , DANGER - COULD CAUSE FIRE DUE TO OVER HEATING ! COOLANT LEVEL KEEPS DROPPING , NO WARNING !! ALWAYS WHILE DRIVING ! CAN'T GO FAR ! CAN'T DRIVE VEHICLE !!

NHTSA ODI 11253278

3/19 THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WENT HOT QUICKLY. CHECKED COOLANT, ALTHOUGH FULL IN 2/19 NOW EMPTY. GARAGE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND CONTACTED DAVIDSON'S FORD WHO ADVISED TO INSTALL A NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT. IN 7/19 TRANSIT BEGAN TO STALL AFTER SHORT DRIVE, THEN ENGINE GOT SO HOT IT STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START. I KEPT TRYING TO START IT MANY TIMES. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DAVIDSON'S FORD WHO DID A DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND FOUND THE COOLANT BOILS OUT OF RESERVOIR EVEN WHEN SITTING BEFORE FANS CAN COME ON. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AS THE ENGINE MAY CRACK AND LEAK OIL IF IT OVERHEATS. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $700 ON RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL INSTALL A WATER PUMP AND/OR HEAD GASKET. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL # 17V209000 - FORD RECALL # 17S09 WHICH INCLUDES 2013 TRANSIT CONNECT, BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T COME UP AS I HAVE A SMALLER ENGINE. WAS STUCK AT THE BUSY INTERSECTION FOR NEARLY AN HOUR. POLICE REPORT AVAILABLE AND INSURANCE FOR TOWING.

NHTSA ODI 11230758

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COOLING GAUGE WENT TO HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT COOLANT NEEDED TO BE ADDED. THE CONTACT CALLED DAVIDSON FORD (18621 US-11, WATERTOWN, NY 13601, (315) 873-3388) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11205030

MY TRANSIT'S GAUGE WENT TO HOT VERY QUICKLY, I CHECKED THE COOLANT AND IT WAS EMPTY. IT WAS FULL A MONTH AGO. I ADDED COOLANT AND THE GAUGE STILL WENT TO HOT. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD MY MECHANIC TO PUT IN A NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT. WHICH THEY DELIVERED TO MY MECHANIC. BUT THE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE. MY MECHANIC FOUND RECALL #17S09 WHICH APPLIED TO MY PROBLEM BUT THE VIN # DOESN'T COME UP ON RECALL I THINK BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT SIZE ENGINE. IT WAS ASSEMBLED AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE RECALL VEHICLES AND IT ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11203892

THE REAR WHEEL ADJUSTERS ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EVERY 15 TO 20 THOUSAND MILES MAINLY ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEELS. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN USING MOTORCRAFT PARTS. THE DRIVER COMPLAINS THAT THERE IS A GRINDING, CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ONLY SELL A LOT OF THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11165789

I FOUND PULLING ON TO A 55 MPH HIGHWAY STARTING FROM A GRAVEL LOT, I ALLOW PLENTY OF SPACE FROM TRAFFIC AND, IF I GET THE SLIGHTEST WHEN SPIN, THE POWER DROPS AND I AM HALF IN TRAFFIC AND CAN'T MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE HAD CARS HONK AND WEAVE AROUND ME TO AVOID COLLISION. I MADE A GREAT DISTANCE TO BE SAFE AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY STALLING IN THE LANE. 4 SECONDS AT 60 MPH IS 352 FEET. IT GOES AWAY QUICK. OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SNOW TRAPPING THE VAN IN PLACE. OTHERS HAVE PULLED FUSE 191 TO DISABLE ALL ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTIONS. YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN TRAFFIC. HAS NO-ONE CRASHED, OR BEEN KILLED BY THIS? FORD OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS DEATH TRAP.

NHTSA ODI 11141969

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11082033

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEATER ON AND IT BLEW COOL AIR. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE WERE MIXING TOGETHER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS MIXING WITH THE ANTIFREEZE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11063731

FRONT TURN SIGNALS BURNING THROUGH CONTACT. BOTH SIDES, BOTH CONNECTS THAT I HAVE. GOING TO BE SECOND TIME REPLACING EACH OF THEM ON EACH VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11012626

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM GOING AT A SLOW OR FAST SPEED, THE DOOR-AJAR NOTIFICATION LIGHT MAY RANDOMLY TURN ON AND STAY ON. SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN ON WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS ISSUE BEGUN SIX MONTHS AGO AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL IN THE COMPANY'S FLEET HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 10911394

I PURCHASED A 2013 TRANSIT CONNECT FROM A FORD DEALER THIS FALL. STILL UNDER FORD WARRANTY AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD. TODAY WE GOT OUR FIRST SNOW AND WHILE DRIVING THE TCS KICKED IN AND BASICALLY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE, SO WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLES TVS LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I OPENED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND LOOKED FOR THE TCS SHUT OFF BUTTON LISTED IN THE MANUAL AND MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE ONE. SO NOW I REALIZE I AM IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I CANNOT MOVE AND OTHER VEHICLE INCLUDING TWO WHEEL DRIVE CARS ARE DRIVING AROUND ME. I JUST INVESTED $20,000 IN A VEHICLE FOR MY BUSINESS ( HEATING/COOLING/ELECTRIC) AND I CANNOT EVEN GET TO THE CUSTOMERS HOUSE WITH AND INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY AND AFTER 30 MINUTES GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE DOWN THE SMALL GRADE. I LITERALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A 14 YEAR OLD HONDA CIVIC THAT COST $3200 UP THE SLIGHT SLOPE THAT A LIKE NEW WITH ONLY 32K MILES ON IT TRANSIT CONNECT WOULD NOT GO. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. SO FAR THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FORDS CUSTOMER CARE LINE HAVE NO ANSWERS FOR ME. WHY IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IS THERE A LISTED TCS SHUT OFF BUTTON AND A LOCATION ON MY DASHBOARD FOR IT BUT NO PART # OR OPTION TO ADD IT TO MY VEHICLE. I INVESTED IN THIS FORD FOR MY BUSINESS AND NOW I CANNOT EVEN GET TO CUSTOMERS HOMES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW AND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE THE DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS AND FORD HAD NONE EITHER. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINEERS AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT THINK TO OUT THIS TCS OFF BUTTON ON ALL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH TCS AND THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT FINED FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. , HOW CAN ENGINEERS DESIGNE A VEHICLE FOR THE USA THAT WILL NOT MOVE IN AN INCH OF SNOW?

NHTSA ODI 10819869

AFTER LIGHT FREEZING RAIN, I WAS UNABLE TO GET TRACTION GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL THAT IS USUALLY NOT A PROBLEM. I WAS TRYING TO GO 20-25 MILES/ HOUR ON A TWO LANE STREET. I DOWN SHIFTED, I TRIED LESS GAS, I TRIED MORE GAS, NOTHING HELPED. I WAS PASSED BY APPROXIMATELY 50 CARS, 4 OF THEM WERE TOYOTA PRIUSES. NONE OF THEM HAD SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY GETTING TRACTION. I EVEN BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARDS AT ONE POINT. IT TOOK ME APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES TO GO APPROXIMATELY 1/8TH OF A MILE. I COULD NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE WAY. I FINALLY MADE IT TO A DRIVEWAY WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW, AND WAS ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH TRACTION TO PROCEED SLOWLY. I HAVE THE BEST STUDLESS SNOW TIRES AVAILABLE THROUGH A REPUTABLE TIRE COMPANY. THE PRESSURE WAS JUST CHECKED YESTERDAY TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NOT A TIRE ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALER AFTER REVIEWING THE MANUAL, AND ASKED IS A SWITCH TO DISENGAGE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM COULD BE ADDED. HE UNDERSTOOD IMMEDIATELY, AND STATED THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM.... HE MADE SOME PHONE CALLS AND CONFIRMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THIS IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IN AN INTERSECTION, OR CROSSING A HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A SITTING DUCK. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, AND THOSE TRYING TO AVOID ME COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10818287

MY SPOUSE REAR ENDED THE ABOVE VEHICLE. SHE SAYS THAT THE STOP LIGHTS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN IN FULL SUN. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SLOW AND GO TRAFFIC ON A FREEWAY. WHEN EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH THE DRIVER, HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN REAR ENDED JUST RECENTLY DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10780902

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FROM THE DRIVE GEAR TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK BUTTON BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10765199

AS A BUSINESS WE OWN (2) FORD TRANSIT 2013 VEHICLES. BOTH THESE VEHICLES HAD LARGE CRACKS TO APPEAR IN WINDSHIELDS WITH NO REASON. WHEN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAD EXPERIENCED COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE BUT HAD NO RECALL ON FILE AND THEREFORE HAD NO OTHER RESPONSE. HAVING HAD (2) SUCH INCIDENTS, WE FEEL STRONGLY, THERE IS A DEFINITE DESIGN DEFECT WITH THESE WINDSHIELDS AND SOME COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER. THE MILEAGE ON THESE VEHICLES WAS BETWEEN 47,000 AND 50,000 MILES AT THE TIME THESE CRACKS APPEARED. THE VIN #'S FOR BOTH VEHICLES IS AS FOLLOWS: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672926