FORD TRANSIT CONNECT · model year

2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT

29 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011FORDTRANSIT CONNECT carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 TRANSIT CONNECT is visibility/wiper with 5 filings, followed by engine (4) and power train (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2011 TRANSIT CONNECT, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

29 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY/WIPER5
ENGINE4
POWER TRAIN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SUSPENSION1
STEERING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recalls (1)

12V37400002/08/2012

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

Recent Complaints

20200325ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN

Mileage: 15,000

20200325ENGINE

WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN

Mileage: 15,000

20200325POWER TRAIN

WHEN HALF OR 3/4 LOADED GOING UP A HILL ON HWY VAN DOWN SHIFTS A JERKS IN TO GEAR . FEELS LIKE YOU GOT KICKED OFF A HORSE . MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40MPH AND 50 MPH.. THIS HAS DAMAGED 3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS IN 117,000 MILES STARTED ST 15000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE AT DEALER AGAIN

Mileage: 15,000

20190613POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED AND IS BURN

Mileage: 155,650

20190404ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MULTIPLE TIMES, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEEMS TO JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. WITH NO WARNING ALL THE LIGHTS AND DASH INDICATORS WILL FLASH AND ALL GO OUT. ENGINE WILL BRIEFLY RUN, THEN QUIT. SEVERAL TIMES BEEN VERY LUCKY TO GET OFF ROAD OR FREEWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. FORD DEALER WORKED ON IT FOR 1+ YRS, REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I'VE TROUBLE TESTED AND FIND NO ISSUES. NO APPARENT GROUNDING ISSUES. NO FUSES OR RELAYS APPEAR TO BE FAULTY. FOUND MANY LIKE-COMPLAINTS ONLINE. ACTS LIKE A BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ISSUE. BUT LATER, AFTER JUMPED BATTERY, ALL SYSTEMS WORKS WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS...YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HIT.

Mileage: 27,900

20190304SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO DECELERATE. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. PRATER FORD (704 S WALL ST, CALHOUN, GA 30701, (706) 629-2883) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED ADJUSTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

20180729STRUCTURE:BODY

WHEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE VAN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS FOR THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM DIFFICULT TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF THE BACK SEAT EXTREME PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY

20180729ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE VAN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS FOR THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THEM DIFFICULT TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF THE BACK SEAT EXTREME PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY

20180708ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND DID A BASIC TUNEUP, OIL CHANGE AND SPARK PLUGS. I ORDERED A AFTER MARKET FILTER FROM K&N AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE IT ARRIVED. AIR FILTER WAS NOT REPLACED YET BUT HOPING IT WOULD HELP WITH ACCELERATING. THE A/C WORKED WELL AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR DURING IDLE. A FEW DAYS LATER MY TRANSIT GOT REAL HOT AT A STOP LIGHT SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR ANY LEAKS OR COOLANT LOSE IN THE RESERVOIR... ALL WAS WELL AND I SAW THE ELECTRIC FANS SPINNING. CAR GOT HOT AGAIN AND CHECKED ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HIGH SPEED FUSE BEING BLOWN. CHECKED AND THAT WAS THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE FUSE AND HIGH SPEED WORKED AGAIN. CHECKED FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND SAW THAT THERE WAS RECALLS ON SOME BUT NOT ALL VINS QUALIFY???? ALSO SAW COMPLAINTS ABOUT IDLELING AND POOR ACCELERATION... INSTALLED K&N AIR FILTER, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. EVERYTH

Mileage: 244,000

20180708ENGINE

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND DID A BASIC TUNEUP, OIL CHANGE AND SPARK PLUGS. I ORDERED A AFTER MARKET FILTER FROM K&N AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK BEFORE IT ARRIVED. AIR FILTER WAS NOT REPLACED YET BUT HOPING IT WOULD HELP WITH ACCELERATING. THE A/C WORKED WELL AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR DURING IDLE. A FEW DAYS LATER MY TRANSIT GOT REAL HOT AT A STOP LIGHT SO I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR ANY LEAKS OR COOLANT LOSE IN THE RESERVOIR... ALL WAS WELL AND I SAW THE ELECTRIC FANS SPINNING. CAR GOT HOT AGAIN AND CHECKED ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HIGH SPEED FUSE BEING BLOWN. CHECKED AND THAT WAS THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE FUSE AND HIGH SPEED WORKED AGAIN. CHECKED FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND SAW THAT THERE WAS RECALLS ON SOME BUT NOT ALL VINS QUALIFY???? ALSO SAW COMPLAINTS ABOUT IDLELING AND POOR ACCELERATION... INSTALLED K&N AIR FILTER, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. EVERYTH

Mileage: 244,000

20151209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED CODE CAME ON". I WILL TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I BELIEVE IT IS A ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURERE.

Mileage: 81,000

20151209ENGINE

DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT 80 MPH AND CAR STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED TO THE SIDE RESTARTED CAR EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED DOING AGAIN AND MORE OFTEN. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE MY CAR IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PUT A SCANNER ON THE CAR AND "THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED CODE CAME ON". I WILL TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I BELIEVE IT IS A ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURERE.

Mileage: 81,000

20151111VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUN ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 65,455

20151030VISIBILITY/WIPER

WE HAD A WINDSHIELD WIPER FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A STORM. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO REPAIR SHOP THE OTHER WIPER FELL OFF. WE DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND SHOWED SOME VEHICLES FOR THAT ISSUE WERE RECALLED BUT OURS WAS NOT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT AND FORD WILL NOT PAY.

Mileage: 98,000

20150915POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE THROTTLE BODY AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

20150810VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE WRENCH SYMBOL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

Mileage: 4,000

20140703EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FRONT TURN SIGNALS REPEATEDLY STOP FUNCTIONING - AFTER CHANGING BULBS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SHORTING WAS OCCURRING IN THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET - THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON THROUGHOUT THE 4 TRANSIT CONNECTS IN OUR FLEET. *TR

20140606VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-95 ON A RAINY NIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND GOT STUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY! LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. WAS IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY, SO I PULLED OFF INTO HIGHWAY SERVICE AREA AND MOVED THE ARM BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE HOME, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE ARM MALFUNCTIONED TWICE MORE IN LESS THAN 5 MILES. FORD DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE GAVE ME A MORNING APPOINTMENT, AND TIGHTENED THE MECHANISM. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME OTHER TTHAN FOR THE OIL CHANGE 'UPSELL'. BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL AND WOULD NOT TECHNICALLY PUT THIS IN THE SYSTEM AS A WARRANTY CLAIM, BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN A ROUGH WINTER AND PERHAPS THE MECHANISM HAD BEEN DAMAGED WHILE CLEANNG OFF ICE OR OTHER WINTER WEAR AND TEAR. I DO NOT THINK THAT I EVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE DEALER'S EXPLANATION ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT O

Mileage: 18,000

20140506STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,344.

Mileage: 120,300

20140320SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND SWAY BAR FAILED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE EXACT REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE RAPIDLY RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DECLINED TO FURTHER ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,873 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 27,873

Compare 2011FORDTRANSIT CONNECT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT have?
The 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 29 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?
The 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?
Yes, the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT?
The most-complained component for the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT is VISIBILITY/WIPER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.