2021 Ford Transit Connect
Gas Special purpose
The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is sold in the U.S. as a gas special purpose 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 8 complaints, most often about power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,400 |
| Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,400 |
| Transit Connect Van FFV | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 24 | 27 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Transit Connect Van FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 24 | 27 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Transit Connect USPS | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Transit Connect Van FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
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Recalls (4)
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: 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.
Power Train
highProblem: 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.
Seat Belts
highProblem: 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.
Power Train
highProblem: 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.
Owner complaints
8 complaints filed
0 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2026: 4
Most-cited components
- Power Train — 4
- Service Brakes — 3
- Unknown Or Other — 2
- Engine — 2
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 1
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
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAGON FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| VAN FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated | — |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other Transit Connect model years
2023 Transit Connect
18 recalls · 57 complaints
A2022 Transit Connect
1 recalls · 6 complaints
F2020 Transit Connect
8 recalls · 32 complaints
F2019 Transit Connect
8 recalls · 51 complaints
F2018 Transit Connect
6 recalls · 22 complaints
F2017 Transit Connect
6 recalls · 28 complaints
F2016 Transit Connect
10 recalls · 104 complaints
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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43270, 43269, 43268, 43267, 43266, 43264, 43265). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.