VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Ford Transit Connect2010–2022
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Ford Transit Connect
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Ford Transit Connect Years to Avoid
8 recalls · 80 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
6 recalls · 83 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
7 recalls · 34 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Transit Connect became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Ford Transit Connect — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 72 | 82 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 11 | — | — | 72 | 85 | 77 | Good |
| 2020 | 5 | 24 | — | — | 63 | 84 | 70 | Good |
| 2019 | 6 | 36 | — | — | 55 | 80 | 64 | Caution |
| 2018 | 5 | 18 | — | — | 66 | 74 | 69 | Good |
| 2017 | 5 | 16 | — | — | 67 | 67 | 67 | Good |
| 2016 | 8 | 80 | 4 | — | 47 | 60 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 7 | 34 | 1 | — | 54 | 53 | 54 | Caution |
| 2014 | 6 | 83 | 1 | — | 47 | 47 | 47 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 13 | — | — | 72 | 42 | 62 | Good |
| 2012 | 0 | 22 | 2 | — | 69 | 38 | 58 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 72 | 35 | 59 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 26 | 3 | — | 65 | 35 | 55 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Ford Transit Connect Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Transit Connect compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 77).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 67).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Transit Connect to buy?+
The 2021 Ford Transit Connect scores highest on our Buyer Score (77/100) — combining a reliability score of 72/100 with a value score of 85/100. It has 2 recalls and 11 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Transit Connect years have the most problems?+
The 2016, 2014, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2016 Transit Connect leads with 8 recalls and 80 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Transit Connect problems?+
The most frequently reported Ford Transit Connect issues involve: POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.