2013 Ford Transit Connect recalls and problems

The 2013 Ford Transit Connect has 4 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
32
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Ford Transit Connect recalls

Recall 22V-413: Power Train

Reported Jun 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-376: Power Train

Reported May 24, 2021 · 192,080 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 17V-209: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 27, 2017 · 208,584 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 14V-706: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Nov 5, 2014 · 34 vehicles affected · Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply

Problem: Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Fix: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

2013 Ford Transit Connect problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train7
Engine5
Structure4
Service Brakes3
Electrical System3
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)3
Unknown or Other2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Exterior Lighting2
Air Bags1
Visibility/Wiper1
Wheels1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 35,700 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Ford Transit Connect complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Suspension · reported Mar 25, 2024
The Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember had rusted though and the front tires become out of alignment SUDDENLY causing the vehicle to veer of course. The vehicle is then disabled and must be towed and the Front Suspension Subframe Crossmember has to be replaced.
Power Train · reported Jul 14, 2022
Transmission. I was driving down the road in my Ford transit going 65 miles an hour I I started to have major transmission problems from traffic slow down so I slow down with it down to 30 miles an hour after doing so traffic sped back up and I could not get out of third gear when I realized how fast I was going in third gear and it would not shift, I tried to slow down and then re-accelerate to see if it would shift when it shifted in the fourth gear it never left fourth gear and revs back to 8000 RPMs at that point the check engine light came on with the gear light in with the transmission…
Latches/Locks/Linkages · reported Jun 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front driver’s side door was unlatched independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the front driver’s side door also failed to latch. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact attempted to speak to the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The failure mileage was unknown.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Apr 21, 2022
The muffler split open most likely from a clog. Because of that, the exhaust was directed toward the floor of the truck instead of going out of the muffler. As a result, it burnt through the heat shield, the back of the truck, melted the wiring harness, and burned a hole straight through the fuel tank. A mechanic took out the fuel tank and when it was being dropped out fuel spilled everywhere and there was a hole in the side of the tank. Since the wiring harness was melted, there was no power and no fuel pump power. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the car could have easily…
Unknown or Other · at 42,000 miles · reported Sep 11, 2020
I turned on my rear defrost this morning. Left my driveway and got maybe a half mile and heard a loud pop noise. It blew a hole out of my back door on passenger side. I mean it blew a hole out of it. I have seen online that this has happened to several people with this vehicle.the rear defrost blew a hole in my window! I was driving down the road when this happened. It had been on for like 2-3 minutes when it happened.

Other Ford Transit Connect years

Compare all Ford Transit Connect years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect: 22V-413 (power train), 21V-376 (power train), 17V-209 (engine and engine cooling), 14V-706 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?

Owners report power train problems most often (7 reports), followed by engine (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 35,700 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.