The Lemon IndexAll carsFordTransit Connect2016
201520172nd generation
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Ram ProMaster 392016 Chevrolet Express 162016 Ford E-Series 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 49,000 miles (16,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V572000 (back over prevention), 23V502000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 22V413000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2.5l - air conditioning (a/c) inoperative and/or message center ambient air temperature…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 28 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 49K miles (16K to 79K km) on the car (23 of all 28 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The vehicle cut off while in Transit power steering goes out first battery light comes on vehicle stops can not restart
2016 Ford Transit Connect owner · NHTSA complaint 10967801
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 9.4M views · 2014–2023 Ford Transit Connect
- Transmission & shifter136K views
How to drain and refill transmission fluid on a 2020 Ford Transit Connect (the small Ford Transit)In Your Driveway Auto · 55K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical116K views
2016 Ford Transit Connect battery replacement in under 9 minutes!About a van · 43K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door66K views
2014-2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo XLT LWB Upfit - HVAC, plumber, electrician service truckFox Air And Heat Inc · 48K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring62K views
Ford Transit connect service light reset 2021 modelKennedy’s garage · 62K views
Show 4 more
- Windows, doors & mirrors50K views
2017 Ford Transit Connect drivers door latch replacementTCCustoms · 22K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension44K views
2014 + FORD TRANSIT CONNECT STRUT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTPANDYDIY · 24K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS42K views
2019 Ford Transit Connect rear brake pads and rotors replacementJabo The Mechanic · 35K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service30K views
2019 & 2020 Ford Transit Connect Oil Change 2.0LBent and Broken · 22K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
![Ford Transit Connect Recalls and Problems | 2nd Generation, 2014-2023 [Buyers + Owners BEWARE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KIGvfmciE44/mqdefault.jpg)
Ford Transit Connect Recalls and Problems | 2nd Generation, 2014-2023 [Buyers + Owners BEWARE]CashedOutCars · 114K views
2022 Ford Transit Connect Wagon XLT Buyers Guide and InfoINFINITI of Tacoma at Fife · 25K views
2015 Ram ProMaster City vs Ford Transit Connect vs Nissan NV200 Matchup Van ReviewThe Fast Lane Truck · 512K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2.5l - air conditioning (a/c) inoperative and/or message center ambient air temperature…
- Constant or intermittent
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2023
The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Show all 10 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2021 2.5L engines only
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2020
The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.
- Visibility · recall issued 2020
An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water leak, and in some cases, separation from the vehicle.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2016
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Brakes · recall issued 2016
The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford Transit Connect recall, all years · All Ford recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit VAN RWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
Every Ford Transit Connect year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Ford Transit Connect years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit-connect/?y=2016" title="Ford Transit Connect reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="468" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-transit-connect/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ford Transit Connect reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Transit Connect year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2018.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (36%), electrical (18%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have?
10 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Transit Connect problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 49,000 miles (16,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Transit Connect year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works