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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2010 Ford Transit Connect

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 42 safety complaints about the 2010 Ford Transit Connect with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering adaptive and mobility equipment and the body structure.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 8 complaints, 19% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 56,000 miles, the median across the 35 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2010 to March 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

42 complaints on file

42

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 8 · 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 · 17%
ENGINE 5 · 12%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 5 · 12%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 4 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 10%
STRUCTURE 4 · 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 · 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 · 7%
STEERING 3 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 2 · 5%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 42.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2011 at 6.

8 6 4 2
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Ford Transit Connect. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

12V169000 · April 17, 2012

The defect
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, 2009 GMC SAVANA, AND 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CHASSIS, AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT’S OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.
The risk
A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIR’S OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.
The remedy
MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH BRAUN TO NOTIFY OWNERS, AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. MAIN MOBILITY HAS NOT PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.

MAIN MOBILITY, INC. · up to 34 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

10V316000 · July 7, 2010

The defect
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2008 THROUGH MAY 31, 2010 FOR FAILING TO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING VEHICLE TESTING THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED HEAD INJURY CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE STANDARD. THE HEADLINER RETENTION PUSHPIN LOCATED ON THE HEADLINER ABOVE THE B-PILLAR TRIM ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLES NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 1-866-436-7332.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 33,728 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 202,182 miles

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON JULY 16,2018 AND A CONTRIBUTING WAS A WORN BRAKE SYSTEM BY MY EMPLOYER'S VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED REPAIRS AND IT WAS BROUGHT SUPERVISIONS ATTENTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE OF THEIR VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE. THE COMPANY THAT OWNS THIS VEHICLE IS IOCAFANO'S CATERING SERVICE AT 1739 SAM RITTENBERG BLVD.THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING TOWARD I-95 HEADED TO SAVANNAH GEORGIA FOR A FOOD DELIVERY WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISON.

NHTSA complaint 11121071. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · 69,500 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY STREET AT 35-40 MPH HAD CAR IN FRONT OF ME COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT STOP CAR. PEDAL FELT HARD AND THERE WAS NO ACTIVATION OF ABS. STEERED VAN TOWARDS CURB AND REACHED FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT STRUCK REAR OF OTHER VEHICLE. NO SKID MARKS. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VAN. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED VEHICLE. STATE SAFETY INSPECTION WAS CURRENT AND BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED BY A MECHANIC WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. HAVE HAD PRIOR ISSUES WITH BRAKE WEAR. HAD TO REPLACE FIRST SET OF BRAKES AT ABOUT 8000 MIKES. DEALER STATES THAT IT WAS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH FUSES FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS BLOWING AND SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS

NHTSA complaint 10750049, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 12,750 miles

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SECURITY ENCLOSURE BY EARLY EVENING ON SATURDAY SEPT. 29. AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 AM ON SUNDAY MORNING, A NEIGHBOR LIVING ADJACENT TO OUR OFFICE FACILITY CALLED 911 REPORTING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SACRAMENTO METRO FIRE RESPONDED AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS CALLED OUT TO LOOK AT THE SCENE. IT WAS THE INVESTIGATOR,S OPINION THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT ARSON RELATED AS THERE WERE 3 OTHER COMPANY VEHICLES PARKED IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY AND WERE NOT THEMSELVES DAMAGED BY SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF FIRE. NO FORENSIC INVESTIGATION WAS PURSUED. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10488141. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

crash · 80,000 miles

CAR RAN INTO GUARD RAILS ON SIDE OF ROAD TURNED I QUARTER OVER HAD TO BE TOTALED IT MAY BECAUSE OF HALF SHAFTS MADE IN TURKEY THAT WERE LEMONS. *JS

NHTSA complaint 10985576. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash

After placing vehicle in Park, vehicle rolled away and destroyed my mailbox. Luckily I was able to stop it inches away from neighbors car. There is a recall for other years, but none for this year. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer yet, however, after talking to the dealership service department, it is a common problem and would cost a lot to repair

NHTSA complaint 11649597. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle drover over the pump in the road and both the front driver's side and front passenger side wheel exterior fender flares along with the front grill had dislodged from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the plastic clips attaching the parts to the body of the vehicle had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA complaint 11578744. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The car can roll/move after the automatic transmission has been put in PARK. There are no warnings or indication of a problem and the ignition key can be removed after the transmission is in PARK. But the car can roll away and injure people or damage property if the emergency brake is not engaged. The transmission shift linkage has been examined and it appears to be fine, with no slop or mis-adjustment, and the linkage bushing (that is the subject of a recall of several other Fords of other model years) seems to be fine and not deteriorated. So, it's not the same problematic part but the vehicle roll away risk and danger to people and property is the same. This problem happens every time

NHTSA complaint 11523294, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
When I put my TC in park at work this morning it rolled forward. I found it odd so put the vehicle in reverse, applied the brake, put it in park, released the brake, and it again rolled. I applied the parking brake, opened the door and put my left foot on the ground to try to roll it myself. Although I was satisfied it would stay put with the parking brake applied, I moved to a parking space at the outside edge of the lot with a slight down-grade and a curb, and parked with the rear tires against the curb and applied the brake. When I arrived at my desk I did an internet search about this new problem and came across information about a recall for this problem in Ford Transit Connects,

NHTSA complaint 11436548, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
2010 Ford Transit Connect 120,000 miles Pulled driver door (electric lock) latch handle to exit vehicle. Upon pulling the door latch handle a very loud buzz lasting for approximately 1 to 2 seconds came from the driver door. I remained in the vehicle and closed the driver door and pressed the door lock mechanism and all doors locked. I then pulled on the driver door latch handle to unlock the doors which resulted in the same loud buzz from the driver's door. I exited the vehicle and locked it using the key fob. Upon returning to the vehicle I unlocked it using the key fob and again a very loud buzz came from the driver door. It was apparent this loud buzz only emanated when the automatic

NHTSA complaint 11419264, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

95,000 miles

THE CENTER MOUNTING OF THE FRAME HAS RUSTED SO BAD IT BROKE AND I HAD VERY UNSTABLE STEERING. THE ENGINE SITS OVER THIS AREA. VEHICLE IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint 11282149. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Transit Connect

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 9 4 —
2020 32 8 —
2019 51 8 —
2018 22 6 —
2017 28 6 —
2016 104 10 —
2015 66 10 —
2014 127 15 —
2013 32 4 —
2012 26 1 —
2011 24 1 —

Other 2010 Ford models

Fusion 5,130 Escape 2,070 F-150 843 Edge 673 Fusion Hybrid 508 Focus 287 Mustang 261 Taurus 204

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst