The Lemon IndexAll carsFordTransit Connect2020
201920232nd generation
14 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Ram ProMaster 292020 Ford Transit 42
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V442000 (back over prevention), 25V196000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 22V413000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Ford sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2019-2020 Edge/Nautilus/Transit Connect and 2020 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with a…”?
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 14 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 3K to 15K miles (6K to 24K km) on the car (9 of all 14 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
Bad Torque Converter - There seems to be a systemic problem with this part on Ford Transits. Ford is not standing behind their parts so we need your help please.
2020 Ford Transit Connect owner · NHTSA complaint 11523180
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 2020 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2019-2020 Edge/Nautilus/Transit Connect and 2020 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with a…
- Trace amount
- Some 2020 Edge/Nautilus/Escape/Corsair/Transit Connect vehicles with and 8F35/8F40…
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Show all 8 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.
- 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.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford Transit Connect recall, all years · All Ford recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit VAN RWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect VAN FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Ford Transit Connect WAGON FWD | not rated | not rated | not 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. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-transit-connect/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Ford Transit Connect reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 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 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (43%), speed control (14%) and automatic emergency braking (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 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 2020 Ford Transit Connect get?
22 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 43% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 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 2020 Ford Transit Connect have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Transit Connect year is better than the 2020?
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