CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2015 Ford Transit Connect

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

66

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Ford Transit Connect have filed 66 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2016 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 13 of them (20%). The typical failure was reported at 80,000 miles, the median across the 45 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 10 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (10)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

23V502000 · July 21, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles. The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.
The risk
An unlatched door can open while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front door latches as necessary, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2024.  Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332.  Ford's number for this recall is 23S36.

Ford Motor Company · up to 112,225 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

22V413000 · June 10, 2022

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,925,968 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

21V376000 · May 24, 2021

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

Ford Motor Company · up to 192,080 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

20V331000 · June 8, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,147,323 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

20V260000 · May 8, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water leak, and in some cases, separation from the vehicle.
The risk
If the panoramic roof panel separates from the vehicle while it is being driven, it may increase the risk of an injury or crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S22.

Ford Motor Company · up to 5,088 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

17V209000 · March 27, 2017

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
The risk
If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

Ford Motor Company · up to 208,584 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

16V643000 · September 6, 2016

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,046,297 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

15V406000 · June 24, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
The risk
If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C03.

Ford Motor Company · up to 184,519 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

15V005000 · January 9, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.

Ford Motor Company · up to 54,543 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Door Latch Failures

RQ19005

Closed recall query · opened December 19, 2019 · closed February 7, 2022 · led to recall 20V177000

the latches, locks and linkages, the body structure

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circumstances, may result in the door coming open while driving. In response to ODI?s investigation, Ford has announced three field actions, as discussed below.On March 23, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-177 (Ford 20S15), a regional recall campaign to address door latch failures in vehicles not previously recalled under Safety Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210. The recall affects vehicles currently or ever registered in certain high ambient temperature states (see 20V-177 for affected states). As a remedy, Ford will replace all four door latches free of charge.On August 24, 2020, Ford issued a non-safety regional field action (Ford 20R01) to address door latch failures on the same model/MY vehicles not covered under 20V-177 (i.e., not currently/ever registered in affected states). According to Ford, spring tab failure rates for vehicles covered by this action are about half that of the 20V-177 vehicles. Under this action, dealers will replace all door latches, free of charge, if either; a) the vehicle exhibits a related latch concern, or b) if the vehicle owner expresses a concern about the latches in their vehicles. Details can be found under NHTSA TSB No. 10190990, a copy of which is available in this investigative file available at NHTSA.gov.On June 8, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-331 (Ford 20S30) addressing vehicles previously remedied under NHTSA Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210, where the repair may not have been properly completed, specifically not all of the door latches were replaced, or replaced correctly. This recall involves an inspection of the latches, with the option for a consumer self-inspection; owners could view the date codes on their latches (and confirm child safety locks are present on the rear doors) and then submit the information to Ford?s mobile app or website. A dealership inspection option was also available. Any vehicle found to have unreplaced defective latches requires the replacement of all door latches as directed by Ford.Regarding the 4,494 reports cited above, 1,485 involve scope-related failures (with 13% alleging door opening), and the remaining 3,009 reports involving remedy concerns (with 18% alleging door opening - note ODI was unable to verify the allegations of door opening). The three ODI injuries were all relatively minor. Ford?s reported injury incidences include one (unconfirmed) report of an ejection, three minor injuries with the others involving undisclosed injuries. Ford?s crashes involved two (unconfirmed) crashes alleging the incident door contacted another vehicle and three involving doors striking other property.The recalled vehicles include MY 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2012-2015 Ford Focus and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect.Ford's actions address ODI's concerns at this time. ODI will take further action if warranted by new information. The reference (OD

Door Latch Failure

PE16001

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened January 16, 2016 · closed October 29, 2016 · led to recall 16V643000

the latches, locks and linkages

In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.Another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.In response to ODI's information request, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 500 unique reports related to the alleged problem on the subject vehicles.Ford reported no injury or accident claims.Ford also submitted 1,513 warranty claims related to door latch failures.Many customers indicated that the affected door could not be latched at all and some of them decided to restrain the door by other means in order to operate the vehicle.Some customers also reported door latch failures occurring on multiple doors and at different times.Additionally, Ford stated that MY 2014-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC, all use the same door latch as the 2012-2013 Ford Focus.On September 6, 2016, Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (16V-643) to remedy the door latches in the MY 2012-2015 Ford Focus and other Ford models mentioned above (total of approximately 2 million vehicles).According to Ford, a component within the door latch may break preventing the door from latching.Ford dealers will replace all four door latches in the recalled vehicles with a new more robust latch design that is currently in production.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 66.

STRUCTURE 13 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 20%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 10 15%
POWER TRAIN 9 14%
ENGINE 6 9%
STEERING 5 8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 5%
AIR BAGS 2 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 3%
SEATS 2 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 13.

2016 2018 2026
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 180,000 miles

MY SISTER HAVE ACCIDENT FRONTAL COLLISION ANY AIRBAG WAS DEPLOY...THE SPEED AT IMPACT MOMENT WAS AROUND 35 MILES DRIVING I A CITY ROAD

NHTSA complaint 11302851. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured

The detent designed to hold the passenger side sliding door open has malfunctioned due to what the dealership describes as a manufacturing defect commonly found in the 2015 Ford Transit Connect XLT/LWB. Dealer states dealer is unable to correct. When parked on an incline, the sliding door can violently slide forward with a significant potential for injury to a passenger, especially a young child, entering or exiting the vehicle. Dealer suggests taking the vehicle to a body shop to correct this defect at owner's expense.

NHTSA complaint 11534491. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed · 70,000 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT (WHICH WASN'T MY FAULT) MY FRONT CARGO WITH THE OTHER FORD PASSENGER REAR DOOR. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT IS ON, MY SEATBELT DAMAGED. BUT ALL THE AIRBAGS OF THE OTHER CAR DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 11298333. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

crash · towed · 115,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 21V376000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the gear shifter seized and the vehicle rolled forward, crashing into a brick wall and damaging the front driver side. The failure recurred after the contact had unloaded the vehicle and the emergency brake was engaged. The contact disengaged the emergency brake and tried to shift gear when the gear shifter seized and the vehicle rolled down the driveway. The contact had to reapply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was awaiting a tow. The rear passenger

NHTSA complaint 11436070, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

150,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the remedy to be available. The screen would display a blank screen. The back over prevention camera would also suddenly activate even while in forward drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the back-over prevention camera twice; however, the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000

NHTSA complaint 11750251. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
I am submitting this complaint to report an unresolved safety recall and the inability to obtain a timely inspection or repair, which I believe places me and my family at increased risk of a crash. My vehicle is a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The vehicle is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S89 and NHTSA Recall 25V572, concerning a failure of the rearview camera system. The rearview camera on my vehicle frequently displays a message stating “Rear View Camera Unavailable, Contact Ford Dealership” and then goes to a black screen. This results in a complete loss of rear visibility while backing up, increasing the risk of a collision, especially involving pedestrians or other vehicles. I received

NHTSA complaint 11716171, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
No remedy from Ford for this recall since September 8 2025. This is a work vehicle I can not use until recall fixed

NHTSA complaint 11700725. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), 23V502000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer refused to perform the recall repairs regarding the latches, locks, and linkages. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11693357. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

65,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera system independently activated and deactivated. In addition, the contact stated that occasionally the back over prevention camera system was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage

NHTSA complaint 11663885, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

49,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, The vehicle speedometer failed to display the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnoses or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact was referred to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 49,000.

NHTSA complaint 11632726. 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 8 4
2020 31 8
2019 51 8
2018 22 6
2017 28 6
2016 104 10
2014 127 15
2013 32 4
2012 26 1
2011 24 1
2010 42 2

Other 2015 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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