Most common 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems
Share of the 104 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Transit Connect complaints by model year
Best Transit Connect years: 2022, 2021, 2012. Years to avoid: 2014, 2016, 2019, 2015. Compare all years →
2016 Ford Transit Connect recalls (10)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
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.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2022.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
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.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
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.
Show 4 more recalls
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles. The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through June 16, 2016. The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the brake HCU pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2016 Ford Transit Connect:
Door Latch Failures
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.
Door Latch Failure
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…
What 2016 Ford Transit Connect owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 22 →
The contact called in regard to a 2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicle owned by the U.S. Army. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V192000 (Visibility) however, upon contacting the dealer four weeks later, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had been taken to a third-party technician where the windshield was cracked in the process of completing the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that they were awaiting the part to replace the windshield. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the part would be available in October 2022. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since June 15, 2022. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to move. The engine HOT message was displayed. There was an unknown running sound detected. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and an unknown repair was performed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that water had leaked into the engine from the front windshield. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the window was replaced but was installed incorrectly. The weather strip was detached. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while an employee was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on July 14, 2023, while the same employee was driving the vehicle and was releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle started losing motive power and slowed unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The employee continued driving to the independent mechanic and was informed that the brake rotors, brake pads, and the front driver's side and the rear passenger's side calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the mechanic then stated that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump was faulty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while initially starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the main computer screen displayed the "Hill Stop Assist Not Available" and "Parking Assist Not Available" messages. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The speedometer, power steering, and several other unknown messages were displayed intermittently. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the original failure and was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger's side wheel position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic after the second failure, and it was determined that the same front passenger's and driver's side wheel position sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. …
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while an employee was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on July 14, 2023, while the same employee was driving the vehicle and was releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle started losing motive power and slowed unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The employee continued driving to the independent mechanic and was informed that the brake rotors, brake pads, and the front driver's side and the rear passenger's side calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the mechanic then stated that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump was faulty. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while initially starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the main computer screen displayed the "Hill Stop Assist Not Available" and "Parking Assist Not Available" messages. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The speedometer, power steering, and several other unknown messages were displayed intermittently. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the original failure and was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger's side wheel position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic after the second failure, and it was determined that the same front passenger's and driver's side wheel position sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. …
2016 Ford Transit Connect engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: —.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect a good car?
Based on 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Transit Connect rates avoid: 3.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Transit Connect at the same age. It is one of the Transit Connect years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 22 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the brakes (17) and electrical system (14).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect, the most recent from September 3, 2025 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Transit Connect?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2021 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2015. See the full Ford Transit Connect years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.