What 51 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Transit Connect Van

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.

NHTSA ODI 11744955

Description of Defect: When the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the rearview camera display freezes for several seconds before going black. This malfunction creates a direct and serious safety hazard — during the period the display is frozen, the image shown does not reflect actual real-time conditions behind the vehicle. Any pedestrian, child, or object that moves into the path of the vehicle after the display freezes will not be visible to the driver. This significantly increases the risk of a backover collision. Dealership Inspection Outcome: I brought the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis. Upon inspection, the technician was unable to detect the diagnostic trouble code associated with Recall 25S89, and as a result, the vehicle was deemed to have passed inspection. However, the malfunction continues to occur. The failure to trigger the recall code does not resolve the underlying issue — the camera display still freezes and blacks out during reverse operation, leaving the driver without a functioning rearview safety system. Safety Concern: A rearview camera is a federally mandated safety feature. A display that intermittently freezes and then goes dark is functionally equivalent to having no camera at all during those critical moments. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a safety system failure that puts pedestrians and other individuals behind the vehicle at risk every time the vehicle is put in reverse. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether Recall 25S89 adequately captures all failure modes associated with this defect, and whether vehicles that present with this symptom but do not trigger the associated diagnostic code are being improperly cleared at dealerships. A remedy should be identified and applied to all affected vehicles regardless of whether the recall code is detected during inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11737254

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.

NHTSA ODI 11735649

While traveling on the freeway after approximately 45 minutes of driving at 65 mph, the car suddenly felt like it was down shifting causing it to slow substantially. When I tried to accelerate to avoid cars behind me from hitting me, the car prevented me from speeding up for approximately five seconds. RPM is over 5000 b4 it allowed speed up. This happened on two separate occasions,. The car would not start after the second trip and was towed to a Ford dealer for repair. I was told I needed a new alternator and battery and what I experienced on the freeway was the alternator impacting the transmission. I picked up what I thought was a repaired vehicle, traveled to one of the same places I had gone previously and approximately 45 minutes into my drive, the same event took place with the car. Slowing severely and not allowing me to accelerate to return to freeway speed for approximately five seconds. It was taken back for repairs shortly thereafter. I was told it wasn't the transmission. It was a sensor in the brake system that causes the brakes to be applied just enough to create friction that heats up two of the wheels to such a high temp., the brake pads melted onto the rotors. The master cylinder, pads, rotors, sensors all needed replacement. The car is a 2019, purchased new, out of warranty with only 26,000 miles. Ford has offered to pay part of the repairs but expects me to pay the other portion. This car has been well cared for. Nothing I have done while driving it has caused their sensor to create such a dangerous situation on the freeway. It also started happening before it was driven to the dealership by refusing to move for five seconds every time the car came to a stop. I have read other accounts of the same situation happening to people who own the same model and year. This is a dangerous situation created by Ford's faulty equipment. The car is at Ford dealership waiting to be repaired for the 2nd time.

NHTSA ODI 11732535

Transmission failure after all known transmission recalls were repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11726533

Safety Recall issued April 2024 for Panoramic Glass. Ford dealerships are unable to repair due to glass companies refusing to assist. This issue has been taken to all dealerships on the island, with the same results. Calling Ford recall (4 times) has finally prompted an open case and claim number #XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11719716

My van began with the brake sticking and it was not only the brake (with my van with only 34,000 miles on it) 2019 year, so I took it to Les Schwab to find out that it was a known default of the years of my van 2012 to 2019 that there have been countless replacement of the defect ABS Pump (costing me 2,000.00 to fix), and finding out that this same problem was where the did a recall on the 2016 Ford Transconnect Vans, but didn't honor other years even though it has been a known issue is many. This should have been a recall for my 2019, I barely even drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11710535

Transmission failure at 80,000 miles. This a known issue with 8F35 transmissions in these model years. Left me stranded and in danger on the roadway. The transmission has other recalls, and a TSB from Ford acknowledging the issues without recall for known failures. There were no lamps, indicators, or codes before failure.

NHTSA ODI 11707757

The right front (passenger side) brake caliper seize closed, pulling the vehicle to the right from uneven braking, and destroying the brake pads and rotor on that corner. Fortunately, this occurred on dry asphalt highway, and control was not entirely lost. The problem was diagnosed by the dealer to be the ABS module. This appears to be a common fault on the Transit Connect van and the Ford Focus Sedan/coupe, which shares the same general platform. This particular van is a 2019 model year, and was purchased new in August of 2020. It had 27,272 miles on it when the module failed in September of 2025, five years. The car’s bumper to bumper warranty expired after three years. The repair cost from the dealership, including consequential repairs to the pads, rotor and fluid, totaled $2,813.65. While there was no actual crash, the affected rotor became heated to a bright orange color.

NHTSA ODI 11695465

Jerks when accelerating, loses power, hesitates backing up, brake on left front does not release and overheats, right back brake following suit. Took into repair shop for brake service. Quote the inspection "Front passenger caliper seized no flow from house caused caliper to lock up." Was advised after rear right brake was found to be developing the same symptoms to have it towed to dealership for further inspection--risk of brake failure increasing likelihood of crash was cited as reasoning to default to dealership and no longer drive the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11694821

Transmission shutter goes in and out of gear I’ve seen lots of people have this problem and no recall yet

NHTSA ODI 11694388

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ODI 11692596

Good evening, I wanted to bring to your attention an ongoing issue I've experienced with two 2019 Transit Connect vehicles that I purchased together. Both vehicles have encountered a transmission problem when shifting into reverse; initially, they would not move, but after shifting to park and then back to reverse, they would engage. I visited the dealership where I bought both vehicles, and they inspected them, indicating that they found no problems. However, both vehicles began showing transmission issues around the 50,000 to 58,000-mile mark. I was able to replace the transmissions under the manufacturer’s warranty. Unfortunately, after approximately 30,000 miles—about a year and a half later—I encountered the same issue again. Once more, the vehicles struggled to engage in reverse. When I returned to the dealership to report this recurring issue, I learned that my warranty had expired, and I would need to replace the transmission again. I would like to formally express my concerns regarding this situation. It seems that there may be a common issue with the transmission in the 2019 model, and I believe it's important for this to be addressed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11691952

Damaged torque converter pump and foreward planetary assy bushings. Jerks when accelerating, loses power, hesitates backing up. Overhaul of torque converter, reseal and reassemble. Hydraulic control unit not working properly and break on left front does not release and overheats. Replaced hydraulic control unit. Airbox loose and damaged. Rattling. Replaced airbox.

NHTSA ODI 11682139

the transmission stopped while in motion approaching a stoplight. It made a big clunking noise kind of died and will not do anything now. It is sitting in a dealership waiting for repairs. Under NHTSA Campaign #21V376000 it is the exact issue per the Ford dealership. The only difference in that recall is the engine size is 2.5L and our is 2.0L. Ford will not do anything to help us fix the issue due to the engine size difference and the specifications of that recall. It is a 10k fix for us and Ford already knows the issue exists but it was just a slightly larger engine. Other than that the issue is the same. We would like Ford to do something about this. Luckily it happened while stopping

NHTSA ODI 11661912

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.

NHTSA ODI 11652334

During a rainy day, I had water coming in from around the top driver's side windshield and from the inside light above the dash. According to my VIN there are no recalls, but apparently there have been recalls on the seal around the windshield on some. I have not had the vehicle inspected by the dealer. The problem began last month (January 2025) and each time it rains I have issues with leaking.

NHTSA ODI 11641605

Transmission Issues sometimes vehicle rolls back. Not in gear hesitates at high speeds

NHTSA ODI 11641164

1 Transmission: very harsh shift engagements up shift and downshifting. Harsh downshifting while cornering and approaching intersections made me concerned for my safety. Random slipping in mid gears 3,4, or 5, no DTC's for slipping or harsh engagements. Transmission currently has the DTC: P0772 Shift Solenoid E Stuck On. and is not drive able. Vehicle is in my driveway until I determine where to take it. I am concerned why my vehicle Vin isn't listed in the transmission recalls when I'm having the exact same problem as the recalled vehicles. 2 Brakes: February 2024 ABS Unit. When driving on highways at speeds between 45-65mph, when I would release my foot off the gas pedal the vehicle would apply medium pressure to the braking system (without touching the brake pedal). Vehicle was taken to Nazareth Ford, they replaced a front brake hose and cycled the Anti-lock Brake System unit. I drove back on the highway and the same thing happened, brakes applied when letting off the gas pedal, almost causing an accident. I replaced the ABS unit myself and had Nazareth Ford program the software. Problem solved. I still have the old ABS unit available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11635748

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631372

1. The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon transmission would buck or jerk when removing my foot from the accelerator when going 60 mph or more. The brake was NOT press at the time of the jerk. 2. When entering the Ford Service Center for the transmission check appointment, the left front brake seized. There was an odor of burning brake pads. 3. After the brake module was replaced and the service center took it for a test drive of the transmission, the technician told me the lighting module needed to be replaced and the vehicle continued to stay at the service center. 4. While still at the service center, they connected the vehicle for a computer reboot/refresh that would take over night. The next morning they informed me that the reboot did not take in the vehicle computer system. 5. The service center called in a regional Ford Technician three times to try to solve the issues without success. 6. We never had possession of the vehicle during this time. It continues to be in possession of the service center and to our knowledge is not repaired. 7. The "service engine" red light NEVER came up on the instrument panel when the incident happened.

NHTSA ODI 11630506

I am writing to report a serious safety concern with my 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The front right brakes are consistently gripping excessively, which generates significant heat and smoke. Despite replacing the rotor, calipers, and brake pads, the problem persists. After conducting a quick online search, I discovered that this issue appears to be common among Transit Connect owners. Some people are suggesting that it's an ABS Module issue, though I can't say definitively. This ongoing problem poses an extreme safety risk, not only due to potential driving hazards but also due to the possibility of a fire given the excessive heat being produced. I urge you to investigate this matter to ensure the safety of those who rely on this vehicle and to prevent any potential accidents or injuries related to this defect.

NHTSA ODI 11620107

Brakes locked up while car was in motion and brake pedal was not depressed. Smoke came from brakes. Happened with front and rear brakes. Able to stop and restart vehicle and move it off roadway.

NHTSA ODI 11600953

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a loud sound coming from the engine. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel and then disappeared. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice to be diagnosed and it was determined that the brake pads and calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred several months later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the HECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 11600432

While traveling, ABS Braking system intermittently engaged a single Caliper and prevented it from retracting. This causes a sudden slowing off the vehicle, creating the risk of collision, particularly while traveling on the highway. An independent service center inspected the vehicle, and reported a computer code referencing the abs/brake booster as the source of the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11588605