2012 Ford Transit Connect

The defect

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm.

The risk

If the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 16,330 vehicles across all model years covered

crash · 4,100 miles

ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL AFTER A CRASH HOW MUCH THESE REFLECTIONS INTERFERED WITH THE DRIVER'S ROAD VISIBILITY. THE REFLECTIONS COME ABOUT WHEN LIGHT SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE FRONT OR SIDES, BUT NOT FROM THE BACK. NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, I SEE HOW DANGEROUS SUCH WINDSHIELDS ARE, AND THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NON-REFLECTIVE WINDSHIELDS INSTALLED. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10489415. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 32,734 miles

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON EXPRESSWAY. LOSE OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON. IDLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TOWED TO BREDEMANN FORD IN GLENVIEW, IL. THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 3 YEAR/36K MILE WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA complaint 10817079. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

116,838 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts were damp following a rainstorm. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the door seals on both front doors were allowing water to enter the vehicle, causing the seat belts to become damp. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,838.

NHTSA complaint 11709702. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does …

NHTSA complaint 11584273, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

200,000 miles

The contact's boyfriend owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving 25 MPH, the windshield wiper arms failed to operate. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V374000 (Visibility) which she linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint 11472708. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I noticed the 2 rear P205/65R15 (with approximately 4,500 mi) had a small dip in the sidewall. Typically evident of belt breaks or some other defect. About four weeks later, the front 2 p205/65R15 (with approximately 2,500 mi) also display this same dip in the sidewall. I’ve not had a problem with any 4 tires to date, all tires are still installed in my vehicle and available for inspection. I have not had these examined by a service center yet.

NHTSA complaint 11461068. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

92,000 miles

COULD NOT DRIVE IN SLUSHY SNOW, VEHICLE SELF CUT POWER IN MIDDLE OF ROAD, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE TRACTION CONTROL SO VEHICLE CAN SPIN TO GAIN FORWARD MOVEMENT. THIS SITUATION ALMOST CAUSED HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLE. I HAD TO KEEP BACKING UP TO TRY TO GAIN FORWARD MOTION. IF I HAD BEEN ABLE TO DISABLE TRACTION CONTROL SO THE VEHICLE COULD SPIN JUST A LITTLE, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO INCIDENT. THIS SITUATION IS VERY UNSAFE IN THE SNOWY CONDITIONS. IN READING ABOUT THIS, OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. TO DISABLE THIS SYSTEM PEOPLE ARE PULLING THE FUSE ON THESE VEHICLES TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. FORD NEEDS TO INSTALL AN TEMPORARY INTERRUPT TO SOLVE THIS VERY …

NHTSA complaint 11291873, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.