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Your vehicleHome›Ford›Transit Connect› 2021
Ford · Van

2021 Ford Transit Connect

Gas
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 4
Complaints3 fire reported 12
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 26 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is sold in the U.S. as a gas van with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 12 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Ford Transit Connect — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Ford Transit Connect · Photo: Harvey Bold · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFVGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl242926$2,600
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl242926$2,600
Transit Connect Van FFVGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl242725$2,700
Transit Connect Van FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl242725$2,700
Transit Connect USPSGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl202722$3,050
Transit Connect Van FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl202722$3,050
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl202622$3,050

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43270, 43269, 43268, 43267, 43266, 43264, 43265.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Transit Connect USPS, Transit Connect Van FFV, Transit Connect Van FWD, Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV, Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Transit Connect Van FWD, Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleVan
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower162 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Optional: Adaptive cruise control

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Titanium, XL, XLT). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length189.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.4 in
Height70.5 in
Wheelbase120.5 in
Track, front61.4 in
Track, rear62.2 in
Curb weight3,580–3,977 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear55/45

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: Van Xl/Xlt, Wagon Xl/Xlt/Titanium. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 Transit Connect
Other years The 2023 Transit Connect Recalls Ford recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25S72
200,237 vehicles 59% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended. Risk A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 reported Jun 27, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

22S43
2,925,968 vehicles 73% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000 reported Jun 10, 2022 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

21C18
42,493 vehicles 69% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V592000 reported Jul 30, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

21S24
192,080 vehicles 69% reported repaired
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach. Risk A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury. Fix Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V376000 reported May 24, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Transit Connect

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Ford publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Transit Connect →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
12complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

5.6 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 21,291 Transit Connect built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2026: 8

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 6
Power Train 5
Unspecified 3
Engine 2
Wheels 2
Fuel/Propulsion System 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Was driving on the highway. Thought there was a smell of something burning. Stopped didn't see anything. When I arrived at my location the smell was much stronger. When I stopped I saw smoke and fire coming from the left front tire. Fire Department was called because the vehicle was parked next to a building.
Service Brakes Oct 22, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11772956
On going problem that's getting worse and have totally stopped driving the van. Transmission Severe Slipping, harsh and hard shifting, abrupt Highway deceleration & violent downshift while on the Hwy. Pauses sometimes to accelerate from a stop and sometimes lunges forward. Occasional "thumping" sound when driving at a consistent speed.
Power Train Sep 30, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11767933
My windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. The windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. Caused electrical damage to the car
Engine Mar 13, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11577242
My husband was driving the vehicle and I was the passenger. We got on the highway and were going 67 mph when we smelled something burning. The vehicle speed dropped from 67 mph to 30 mph. No warning lights on the dashboard alerted to anything. We got off the highway and to a place of safety.
Service Brakes Oct 19, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11772029
The transmission hasn't been working correctly for the last 2 years. It was constantly shifting incorrectly, lagging, stuttering, and making driving difficult. It finally just stopped in the middle of traffic and would not move.
Power Train May 22, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11739453
This vehicle keeps flashing service engine soon light and malfunction indicator lamp. Dealer is keep saying that there are nothing to fix the issue. However, they have noted that it might be related to fueling hole and also fuel misfire.
Engine Jan 8, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11500742

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
WAGON FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%
VAN FWDnot rated★★★★☆★★★★★not rated—

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 56
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-03-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 49 service bulletins, 6 others, 1 emissions

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Power Train, Back Over Prevention.

  • 25N17 Other
    2026-03-25 · Unknown Or Other
  • Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
  • 25E06 Other
    2026-03-07 · Electrical System
  • Certain 2021-2023 Model Year Transit Connect Equipped with 2.0L Engine Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming The affected vehicles have an emissions control system that might not control tailpipe emissions effectively
  • SSM 54601 Service bulletin
    2026-02-24 · Electrical System
  • Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). Th
  • SSM 54589 Other
    2026-02-17 · Electrical System
  • Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App,
  • TSB 25-2550 Service bulletin
    2026-01-08 · Power Train
  • This article supersedes TSB 24-2092 to update model years. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions:  Transmission slipping  Harsh Engagements  Clutch DTCs This may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier assembly.
  • 25E06 Emissions
    2025-12-18 · Power Train
  • Certain 2021-2023 Model Year Transit Connect Equipped with 2.0L Engine Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
  • 25L02 Other
    2025-12-02 · Unknown Or Other
  • Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
  • SSM 54366 Service bulletin
    2025-11-12 · Power Train
  • Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0011
P0011 on Ford →		Camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded.Engine3 bulletins
P0012
P0012 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0014
P0014 on Ford →		The second camshaft on bank 1 is timed further advanced than commanded.Engine3 bulletins
P0015
P0015 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0016
P0016 on Ford →		The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser.Engine3 bulletins
P0017
P0017 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0018
P0018 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0019
P0019 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0021
P0021 on Ford →		Camshaft timing on bank 2 is more advanced than commanded.Engine3 bulletins
P0022
P0022 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0024
P0024 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins
P0025
P0025 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine3 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Transit Connect by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2023 A 0 1 26 mpg2022 A 1 6 26 mpg2021 this page C 4 12 26 mpg2020 D 8 32 26 mpg2019 D 8 51 26 mpg2018 D 6 22 23 mpg2017 D 6 28 23 mpg2016 F 10 104 25 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Transit Connect

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect. The most serious on file is 22V413000, covering Power Train. 2 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Ford Transit Connect 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (76/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

Across the 7 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, the best EPA combined figure is 26 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

Transport Canada measured it at 189.4 in long, 72.4 in wide (body, without mirrors), 70.5 in tall, on a 120.5 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,580–3,977 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, most often about service brakes, power train, unspecified. Of those, 3 a fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV50, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect?

The manufacturer has filed 56 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, most often covering equipment, electrical system, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-03-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations7 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates7 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls4NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints12NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins56NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA7 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2023 Transit Connect The Transit Connect model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Ford recall on file All campaigns filed against Ford vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Transit Connect by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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