The 2016 Ford Transit Connect is associated with 104 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 10 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Visibility / Glass, accounting for 11 reports (11% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl and 2.5l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 22 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 104 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 10 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Visibility / Glass (11 / 11%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 1 crash / 1 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 22–25 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Transit Connect Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Transit Connect Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Transit Connect Wagon FFV | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Transit Connect Van 2WD | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Transit Connect Van 2WD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Transit Connect Van FFV | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| Wagon FWD | | | | | 17.9% |
| VAN FWD | Not Rated | | | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Ford Transit Connect models.
View complete 2016 Ford Transit Connect crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems & component breakdown (39 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Ford Transit Connect recalls & campaign history (10 campaigns) →