2012 Ford Transit Connect Problems

The contact's boyfriend owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving 25 MPH, the windshield wiper arms failed to operate. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V374000 (Visibility) which she linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DRIVER'S VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. LUTHER FAMILY FORD (3302 36TH STREET SOUTH, FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA 58104, (701) 282-2350) DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIVETS ON THE WIPERS WERE TOO SHORT AND THE PIVOT PIN WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIVETS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V374000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE STOP, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND FINALLY THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WE PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM NEW AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. STOPPED AT LITE. CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON. NO POWER. HAD TO IDLE HOME. OBDII CODES P0122, P0222, P2111. P2135. TPS READING STUCK AT 82%. DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. *JS

1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but were still unable to start, and wanted to replace the fuel pump. I explained that the tank had been filled only about 80 miles before, so there was some issue. Another week later, the dealer informed me that when replacing the fuel pump they had found that the tank had been melted. This was when I was first aware of the issue with the fuel tank.

2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MISLEADING GAS MILEAGE, RADIO PROBLEMS, VEHICLE LOCKING ITSELF WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WIPERS WERE NOT CLEARLY THE SNOW AND RAIN FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS WERE COMING OFF THE WINDSHIELDS SURFACE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WAS FREEZING AND THE AMOUNT OF HEAT COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER WASN'T ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE FREEZING WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSED THE OBSTRUCTION AND LOSS OF VISION. *JB

COULD NOT DRIVE IN SLUSHY SNOW, VEHICLE SELF CUT POWER IN MIDDLE OF ROAD, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE TRACTION CONTROL SO VEHICLE CAN SPIN TO GAIN FORWARD MOVEMENT. THIS SITUATION ALMOST CAUSED HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ONCOMING VEHICLE. I HAD TO KEEP BACKING UP TO TRY TO GAIN FORWARD MOTION. IF I HAD BEEN ABLE TO DISABLE TRACTION CONTROL SO THE VEHICLE COULD SPIN JUST A LITTLE, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO INCIDENT. THIS SITUATION IS VERY UNSAFE IN THE SNOWY CONDITIONS. IN READING ABOUT THIS, OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. TO DISABLE THIS SYSTEM PEOPLE ARE PULLING THE FUSE ON THESE VEHICLES TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. FORD NEEDS TO INSTALL AN TEMPORARY INTERRUPT TO SOLVE THIS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION.

TWICE IN 113,214 MILES THE THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED AT SPEED. THIS IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ANYWHERE, ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT--JUST OUT OF POWER AND SCRAMBLING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS WITH 36,366 MILES IN A SNOW STORM. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. NO NOTIFICATION FROM FORD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM HAS BEEN FORTHCOMING. THE REPLACEMENT PART FORD INSTALLED THE FIRST TIME WAS ALSO BAD AND HAS FAILED AT 113,214 MILES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE, GOING FROM 65 MPH TO 5 MPH IN MOMENTS. THERE'S CONFUSION, PANIC TO GET THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, AND A STRUGGLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.

1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but were still unable to start, and wanted to replace the fuel pump. I explained that the tank had been filled only about 80 miles before, so there was some issue. Another week later, the dealer informed me that when replacing the fuel pump they had found that the tank had been melted. This was when I was first aware of the issue with the fuel tank.

2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MISLEADING GAS MILEAGE, RADIO PROBLEMS, VEHICLE LOCKING ITSELF WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WIPERS WERE NOT CLEARLY THE SNOW AND RAIN FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS WERE COMING OFF THE WINDSHIELDS SURFACE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WAS FREEZING AND THE AMOUNT OF HEAT COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER WASN'T ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE FREEZING WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSED THE OBSTRUCTION AND LOSS OF VISION. *JB

The seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. It is available for inspection, see photos provided. Merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. The car was parked when the incident occurred. No, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No, there are no warnings or messages. The danger is inherent in the design.

WHILE CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPLIT BENCH SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK ONTO THE FLOOR MOUNTING POINTS AFTER I HAD FOLDED IT UP TO CLEAN BENEATH IT AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN IT TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. THE REAR SEATS ARE NOW SECURED ONLY BY THE TWO SHOULDER LEVEL LATCHES ON THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE MECHANISM IT APPEARS THAT TWO OF THE THREE LATCH MECHANISMS HAVE MISSING OR BROKEN RETURN SPRINGS. THIS WORRIES ME BECAUSE I MOUNT MY FIVE YEAR OLD SONS CAR SEAT TO THIS BENCH SEAT. *TR

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts were damp following a rainstorm. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the door seals on both front doors were allowing water to enter the vehicle, causing the seat belts to become damp. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,838.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED, WARPED AND THE FRAMEWORK WAS VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OVER THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAMS NEAR THE WINDSHIELD HAD BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER USED AN EPOXY SEAL TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH BECAME CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY, AN UNKNOWN GRAY SUBSTANCE WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD AREA. THE DEALER THEN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148.

THE FORD TRANSIT CONNECT NEEDS A WAY TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL IN SNOW AND ICE. I GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW TODAY AND BECAUSE I CAN NOT TURN THIS FEATURE OFF I COULD NOT ROCK THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SNOW, CREATING A TRAFFIC JAM UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO BE TOWED OUT. PLEASE MAKE FORD CREATE A WAY THAT CAN ALLOW THIS SYSTEM TO BE TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE SIMILAR FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES WHENEVER TRAVELING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EACH TIME THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ALERTED LOW PRESSURE. THE FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE PROPER PSI. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

The seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. It is available for inspection, see photos provided. Merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. The car was parked when the incident occurred. No, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No, there are no warnings or messages. The danger is inherent in the design.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE BUCKLE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR

I noticed the 2 rear P205/65R15 (with approximately 4,500 mi) had a small dip in the sidewall. Typically evident of belt breaks or some other defect. About four weeks later, the front 2 p205/65R15 (with approximately 2,500 mi) also display this same dip in the sidewall. I’ve not had a problem with any 4 tires to date, all tires are still installed in my vehicle and available for inspection. I have not had these examined by a service center yet.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FREEDOM ELITE MOTOR HOME EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75 R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T012000 (TIRES) REPORTED IN DECEMBER OF 2013 AND THAT PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE BEFORE MARCH OF 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.