Ford Transit Connect Body Problems

Body complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Body
  55
• Body › Door
  2
• Body › Hatchback/liftgate
  1
• Interior panels › Door
  1

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1128%
• 25k–50k
  1128%
• 50k–75k
  513%
• 75k–100k
  615%
• 100k–150k
  410%
• 150k+
  38%

What owners report

I am writing to report a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2016 Ford Transit Connect. On four separate occasions, the rear sliding doors on both the driver and passenger sides have completely detached from the vehicle during the normal process of closing them. These incidents occurred without the application of any excessive force or unusual use. The doors unexpectedly slid off their tracks and fell from the vehicle, creating a dangerous situation. Each time this occurred, my family was left stranded, unable to complete our trip or return home safely. As a result of this repeated failure, I have avoided using one of the sliding doors for over a year out of fear that it was not properly re-secured and could fall off again. …

We have a 2016 Ford Transit Connect Van with 6,700 Miles. The Windshield come out loose and it could have been fatal to the life of passengers or others on the road. We went to the dealership and got to know that Ford is aware about it but is not covered. We are paying about $650 to glue the windshield back on the Van. We are paying this for the safety of the people. This could be dangerous and can lead to accidents or deaths on the road. Please address this with Ford since our concern is not being addressed by Ford or their dealership. Seems like they are waiting for a disaster to happen! Thank you.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while her husband was closing the door, he heard an abnormal sound. The driver removed the panel and located a separation. The side panels had separated, and he became aware that water was entering the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V777000 (Structure). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 133,934.

Sliding side door on passenger side of van breaks free from the detente designed to hold it in the open position causing it to violently and suddenly close if the van is parked on a grade. The safety of others is put at risk if passengers, particularly young children, are attempting to enter or exit the vehicle. The problem was reproduced and confirmed by the dealer's service department. The service representative said the dealer was not equipped to handle the problem. The vehicle or defective component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance representative. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem. The issue surfaced a number of months ago.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in the highway, the rear passenger's side plastic sliding door panel separated from the vehicle and flew off. The contact was able to retrieve the door panel. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side plastic sliding door panel was loose. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V777000(Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

On August 28, 2021, in Suisun City, CA, just prior driving, the owner discovered the front side door latch had failed, resulting in an inability to close the door. The vehicle had been parked in the direct sunlight with ambient temperatures over 100 degrees F. No prior indication the door latch was failing. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by local Ford Dealer and side door latch was found inoperative and was replaced. Owner retained replaced side door latch. Since the 2014 Ford Transit Connect was not built at the Valencia Assembly Plant, per Ford Recall #s 20S30, 15S16, and 16S30, the owner had to pay full the repair cost ($370.65). The serial numbers of the failed side door latch is FoMoCo DT1A V21813-BA. 4081 4157 97142 DOPRF. …

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 started on fire, or the fuel tank could have blown up and injured the driver or worse.

While driving the vehicle, regardless of whether I am going at a slow or fast speed, the door-ajar notification light May randomly turn on and stay on. Sometimes it will turn on when first starting the vehicle. When this condition occurs, the doors will not lock, even after the vehicle is turned off. This issue begun six months ago and has been occurring more and more frequently on this particular vehicle. Other vehicles of the same model in the company's fleet have reported similar issues intermittently as well.

Related recalls (2)