The 2016 draws 1.94 complaints per run and the 2020 1.23, a 1.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 78.2% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 86 complaints, typically at 4.8 years.
Ford Transit Connect years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 | 9 | too new | |
| 2020 | 32 | 26 | yes | |
| 2019 | 50 | 32 | yes | |
| 2018 | 21 | 16 | yes | |
| 2017 | 26 | 19 | yes | |
| 2016 | 101 | 52 | yes | |
| 2015 | 62 | 42 | yes | |
| 2014 | 124 | 72 | yes | |
| 2013 | 24 | 22 | yes | |
| 2012 | 16 | 13 | yes | |
| 2011 | 19 | 17 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2016 Transit Connect asks a median $9,900, against $11,000 for a 2017, the next model year: about 10% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 5 Ford Transit Connect years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2016, 2014, 2019; the three worth hunting are 2020, 2015, 2019.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.8% | covered | |
| 1 year | 13.3% | covered | |
| 2 years | 21.8% | covered | |
| 3 years | 32% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 45% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 57.9% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 72.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 79.7% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 86.5% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 93.4% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 96.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 98.5% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 99.6% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99.8% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 21.8% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 78.2% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 27% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Ford Transit Connect, the early trouble is Engine — reported at around 3.9 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Power Train at 4.8 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4.8 yrs | 3 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 5.2 yrs | 4 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 5.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | 4.9 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Structure | 5.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 3.9 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Visibility | 4.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Transit Connect's vehicle class. Per production run, the Ford Transit draws 1.28, the Dodge Caravan 2.65 and the Nissan NV200 1.35, against 1.52 for the Transit Connect.
| Same class as the Transit Connect | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | 193 | 2015–2026 | |
| Dodge Caravan | 208 | 1984–2008 | |
| Nissan NV200 | 18 | 2013–2026 | |
| Mercedes-Benz Metris | 13 | 2016–2026 | |
| Dodge Ramcharger | 15 | 1981–1997 | |
| RAM Promaster City | 20 | 2015–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Transit Connect reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.52 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Transit Connect years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2016, 2014, 2019. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2020, 2015, 2019. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Transit Connect problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 4.8 years, followed by Unknown Or Other.
Will the warranty cover Transit Connect problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 21.8% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 27% of the complaints here.
Is the Transit Connect more reliable than the Ford Transit?
No: 1.52 complaints per production run for the Transit Connect against 1.28 for the Ford Transit.
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