Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 26 safety complaints
about the 2012 Ford Transit Connect with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering visibility.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 6 complaints, 23% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 35,003 miles,
the median across the 20
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers September 2012 to January 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
26 complaints on file
26
Complaints
1
Describe a crash
1
Mention fire
1
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
ENGINE 6 · 23%
6 23%
VISIBILITY 5 · 19%
5 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 · 15%
4 15%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 · 15%
4 15%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 · 8%
2 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2 · 8%
2 8%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 8%
2 8%
SEATS 2 · 8%
2 8%
STRUCTURE 2 · 8%
2 8%
TIRES 2 · 8%
2 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 4%
1 4%
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM 1 · 4%
1 4%
048
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 26.
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 2014 at 5.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2012 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
VAN FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
25.6%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
12V374000 · August 2, 2012
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
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.
SEAT BELTS
1 injured
The seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. It is available for inspection, see photos provided. Merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. The car was parked when the incident occurred. No, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No, there are no warnings or messages. The danger is inherent in the design.
NHTSA complaint 11489117. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
fire · 9,700 miles
AS I'M DRIVING HOME, I START TO SMELL AN UNUSUAL ODOR. I GET HOME , PULL IN DRIVE, TURN OFF TRANSIT AND START UNLOADING GROCERIES. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I CONTINUE TO UNLOAD WHILE I KEEP AN EYE ON THE SMOKE. IT WORSENS AND I REALIZE IT WAS ON FIRE AND BY NOW THERE WERE ORANGE DROPS OF FIRE FALLING TO THE FLOOR. I YELL FOR MY NEIGHBOR WHO USES OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON SITE TO TRY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. WE HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY CABLES TO FINALLY GET THE FIRE OUT COMPLETELY. IT SEEMED CENTRALIZED AROUND THE GLOVE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DASHBOARD ON THAT SIDE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. MY FIRST CALL WAS TO APPLE FORD IN RED LION, THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS …
NHTSA complaint 10576899, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
ENGINE
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.
STRUCTURE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
VISIBILITY
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.
TIRES
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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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.
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.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed August 2, 2012.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst