The Lemon Index

All carsFordTransit Connect2019

2018 Ford Transit Connect, 2nd generation, illustration2018
2019 Ford Transit Connect, 2nd generation, illustration
2020 Ford Transit Connect, 2nd generation, illustration2020

2019 Ford Transit Connect problems.

2nd generation

282019 Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical

Better years to buy

This generation201818201718
Other generations201327

All 12 yearsCompare

12 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–26 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2019 Ram ProMaster 372019 Ford E-Series 112019 Ford Transit 10

Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Were recalls 25V442000 (back over prevention), 25V196000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 24V294000 (visibility) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
  3. Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
  4. Ford sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…”?

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 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

2crashesaverage car: 1
1injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
1towsaverage car: 0

“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.

electrical33%
transmission & drivetrain33%
backup camera17%
wheels8%
brakes8%

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.

half by 13K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 67K miles (4K to 108K km) on the car (7 of all 12 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

Vehicle not shifting properly, then stuck in 3rd gear. Dealer says it has a transmission fluid leak and cooked internal components (sealed transmission with no dipstick)

2019 Ford Transit Connect owner · NHTSA complaint 11415135

Fixes owners look up most.

From 200 YouTube videos · 9.4M views · 2014–2023 Ford Transit Connect

  1. Transmission & shifter136K views
    How to drain and refill transmission fluid on a 2020 Ford Transit Connect (the small Ford Transit)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
  2. Infotainment, battery & electrical116K views
    2016 Ford Transit Connect battery replacement in under 9 minutes!2016 Ford Transit Connect battery replacement in under 9 minutes!About a van · 43K views · 4 videos
  3. Heat, A/C & blend door66K views
    2014-2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo XLT LWB Upfit - HVAC, plumber, electrician service truck2014-2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo XLT LWB Upfit - HVAC, plumber, electrician service truckFox Air And Heat Inc · 48K views · 3 videos
  4. Gauges, lights & wiring62K views
    Ford Transit connect service light reset 2021 modelFord Transit connect service light reset 2021 modelKennedy’s garage · 62K views
Show 4 more
  1. Windows, doors & mirrors50K views
    2017 Ford Transit Connect drivers door latch replacement2017 Ford Transit Connect drivers door latch replacementTCCustoms · 22K views · 3 videos
  2. Steering & suspension44K views
    2014 + FORD TRANSIT CONNECT STRUT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT2014 + FORD TRANSIT CONNECT STRUT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTPANDYDIY · 24K views · 3 videos
  3. Brakes & ABS42K views
    2019 Ford Transit Connect rear brake pads and rotors replacement2019 Ford Transit Connect rear brake pads and rotors replacementJabo The Mechanic · 35K views · 2 videos
  4. Oil changes & service30K views
    2019 & 2020 Ford Transit Connect Oil Change 2.0L2019 & 2020 Ford Transit Connect Oil Change 2.0LBent and Broken · 22K views · 2 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.

Problems Ford told dealers about

Ford sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 8

  • Back over prevention · recall issued 2025

    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.

  • Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2025

    The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine.

  • Visibility · recall issued 2024

    An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detaching from the vehicle.

Show all 8 recalls
  • Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022

    The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

  • Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2021 2.5L engines only

    The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2020

    Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve.

  • Engine · recall issued 2020 2.5L engines only

    The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine.

  • Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2020

    The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Ford Transit Connect recall, all years · All Ford recalls

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningOptional
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford Transit Connect VAN FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Ford Transit Connect Wagon FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2,300–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.

Every Ford Transit Connect year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit-connect/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Ford Transit Connect reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2019 Ford Transit Connect reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 28; 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 2019 Ford Transit Connect problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and backup camera (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have?

8 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 2019 Ford Transit Connect get?

22 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect cost in fuel a year?

About $2,300 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Ford Transit Connect have?

2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.

What Ford Transit Connect year is better than the 2019?

Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).

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

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