2016 Ford Transit Connect Body & structure Problems

On XXX at 1820 hrs CST I was traveling westbound on HWY XXX between [XXX] and Central [XXX] [XXX]. The weather was sunny, temp 88 degrees. As I was driving between 60 and 65 MPH with cars in front as well as behind me I heard a very loud “explosion” type noise. It was loud and quite scary and unexpected. The car then became very loud and windy. I was able to keep the car on the road, when I looked up I realized the panoramic window on the roof was mostly gone and damaged as well as the shade that covers the window. Looking in the rear view mirror I didn't see any other cars stopping or slowing and it appeared as if I was the only one affected. Backtracking to before my trip, I took my vehicle to Ford in [XXX] on XXX for three recall issues. Door latches, backup camera and panorama window issues. Later that day they called me to pick it up and said they had ordered parts for the recall items and would contact me when the parts were in. I advised the service tech I was going on a trip with the vehicle on XXX and needed to get things done before that time. He said the roof would need to be fixed by a glass company and they would coordinate when the other parts were installed. The vehicle went back to Sill- Terhar Ford on XXX and was returned on XXX. I asked about the window repair and was then told I would have to contact the body shop to get that work done. This work could not be done before my trip. I feel this recall is NOT been taken seriously by Ford or the dealerships and this could have killed someone behind me or I could have lost control of the vehicle INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11751489

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

I am writing to report a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2016 Ford Transit Connect. On four separate occasions, the rear sliding doors on both the driver and passenger sides have completely detached from the vehicle during the normal process of closing them. These incidents occurred without the application of any excessive force or unusual use. The doors unexpectedly slid off their tracks and fell from the vehicle, creating a dangerous situation. Each time this occurred, my family was left stranded, unable to complete our trip or return home safely. As a result of this repeated failure, I have avoided using one of the sliding doors for over a year out of fear that it was not properly re-secured and could fall off again. This issue represents a significant safety concern, particularly for families relying on this vehicle for daily transportation, and I believe it warrants immediate attention and investigation.

NHTSA ID

11660784

Incident

May 7, 2025

Recall Issue with Vehicle Door Latch and Delays in Repair - NHTSA Recall Number 21V376 To whom it may concern, I am writing to report a significant safety concern regarding my vehicle. Specifically, the driver's door latch is malfunctioning and no longer securely locks the door, rendering the vehicle undriveable. This issue directly aligns with the advanced recall notice identified as NHTSA Recall Number21V376 and Manufacturer Recall Number 21S24. To seek a resolution, I reached out to local Ford dealerships, but initially faced challenges in even having a conversation about potential recalls. Fortunately, Future Ford of Roseville accepted to inspect my vehicle and I delivered it to their facility on August 23rd, 2023. One of their service managers indicated that they should be able to address the problem, especially since my car exhibits the symptoms detailed in the recall notice. However, it's September 1st now, and my vehicle remains in their possession with little to no updates. The only communication I received was a work order summary. Troublingly, this document states: "FORD DECLINED AUTHORIZATION TO REPAIR AT THIS TIME" regarding the advanced recall. Attempts to discuss this update with the service manager, [XXX] , have been unproductive. She briefly left a voicemail without pertinent details and despite promising a follow-up call, failed to do so. Furthermore, I reached out to Ford corporate for clarity but to no avail. I've consistently received vague answers, with most indicating a lack of direction from Ford. This is both alarming and frustrating. I am at a loss as to why the dealership can't take an interim measure, such as replacing the defective door latch—which has been acknowledged to degrade over time—to temporarily remedy the situation. This could serve as a temporary solution until an official fix is determined. Attached is the aforementioned work order summary for your reference. I urge you to consider the safety implications of INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

NHTSA ID

11542177

Incident

Aug 22, 2023

Driver-side cargo door does not latch correctly and will open while the vehicle is in motion. This happens at speeds below 20 mph as well as highway speeds. Because of the repeated pressure of the door flying open, the rail is now bent and the door will fall off when opened or closed. Not only is the cargo door opening a safety issue to others driving around me as things may fall out, but the door itself may come off and cause damage to those around me

NHTSA ID

11461466

Incident

Apr 9, 2022

We have a 2016 Ford Transit Connect Van with 6,700 Miles. The Windshield come out loose and it could have been fatal to the life of passengers or others on the road. We went to the dealership and got to know that Ford is aware about it but is not covered. We are paying about $650 to glue the windshield back on the Van. We are paying this for the safety of the people. This could be dangerous and can lead to accidents or deaths on the road. Please address this with Ford since our concern is not being addressed by Ford or their dealership. Seems like they are waiting for a disaster to happen! Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11459210

Incident

Mar 29, 2022

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 20V260000 MY GLASS IS CRACKED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK MY VEHICLE APART AND THEN REALIZED THE REPLACEMENT GLASS WAS BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO SECURE THE GLASS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. FORD STATES THE GLASS IS ON INDEFINITE BACKORDER. FORD HAS PROVEN THEY CAN NOT FIX THIS VEHICLE RECALLL - I WOULD LIKE A BUYBACK.

NHTSA ID

11407076

Incident

Oct 6, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

1. PANORAMIC ROOF GLASS PANEL IMPROPERLY BONDED 2. DOOR LATCHS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED

NHTSA ID

11383349

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PANORAMIC ROOF SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO CONTACT WITH ANYONE TO HAVE THE REPAIRS COMPLETED.*JS

NHTSA ID

11375536

Incident

Sep 30, 2020

1. STATIONARY OR IN MOTION: THE TOP OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO BE LOSING ITS SEAL BECAUSE WHEN WATER IS POURED OR WHEN IT RAINS, IT ENTERS THE CAR AND FALLS ONTO THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE PLASTIC BOX THAT STORES THE REAR VIEW WINDOW AND WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD GETS FILLED WITH RAIN AND DRIPS DOWN THE WINDOW. 2. IN MOTION, ON A GRADUAL HILL AND UP: FROM DAY ONE, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT UP ON A DOWNHILL, EVEN A SLIGHT HILL. IT REVS IN THE 2ND GEAR AND REV UNTIL IT WOULD JUMP INTO THIRD AFTER REVVING IN A LOWER GEAR FOR 2-4 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO 2 DEALERSHIPS (ONE IN TACOMA, WA, AND THE OTHER IN MARINA FORD) AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF VIDEO OF IT. 3. STATIONARY OR IN MOTION: LCD SCREEN SOMETIMES STOPS RESPONDING FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN TO GET A RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11331174

Incident

Nov 6, 2019

Mileage

31,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE STATIONARY PANORAMIC ROOF GLASS DISLODGED, WENT INTO THE AIR AND LANDED ON THE FREEWAY IN DRAMATIC FASHION WITHOUT INJURY OR KILLING ANYONE. THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED TO AVOID THE FLYING GLASS.

NHTSA ID

11308375

Incident

Jan 22, 2020

Mileage

110,260 mi

OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT HOME ON 65N RIGHT BEFORE EXIT 78 IN NASHVILLE, TN. SHE WAS DOING ABOUT 55. IT WAS AT ABOUT 10PM AND THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT TRAFFIC DIRECTLY BEHIND HER. THE HUGE GLASS PANORAMIC ROOF AND SUNSHADE CAME OFF AND TORE FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR LEAVING DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR. THERE WAS SLIGHT NOISE AND MY PASSENGERS INFORMED HER THE GLASS ROOF AND SHADE RIPPED OFF. THIS IS NO FAULT OF THE OWNER. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL 16S35 FOR THE SAME MODEL IN 2014 AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE. THE BONDING/SEALANT USED IS NOT HOLDING. EITHER FORD IS LIABLE OR THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE BONDING SEALANT. SAME THING FOR MERCEDES RECALL FROM 2002-2011. ROOF GLASS DETACHING FROM ROOFS OF CAR/VAN.

NHTSA ID

11299805

Incident

Dec 30, 2019

Mileage

94,000 mi

WATER IS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE FROM UP ABOVE IN THE ROOF. THERE ARE CAPS LOCATED IN THESE CHANNELS ON THE EXTERIOR ROOF OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS SNOW OVERNIGHT SITTING ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. A PUDDLE FORMED INSIDE ON THE BACK PLASTIC ARM LEDGE. CEILING CARPET WAS WET UP ABOVE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS AND THE WATER CONTINUED TO DRIP DOWN AFTER A 2 HOUR DRIVE IN RAIN. \WHEN WATER IS IN THESE CHANNELS ON THE EXTERIOR OF ROOF, IT COMES THROUGH SOMEHOW UNDER THESE CAPS AND SOAKS CEILING CARPET THUS CAUSING WATER TO DRIP DOWN. SEE IMAGE. IMAGE SHOWS WATER ON INTERIOR OF SIDE REAR WINDOW AS A RESULT OF DRIPPING DOWN INTO CABIN OF VEHICLE. THIS IMAGE TAKEN AFTER DRIVING TWO HOURS, HOWEVER THE WATER CAME THROUGH BOTH AS THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (INITIALLY MELTING SNOW) AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS. CAR IS 3.5 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID

11286576

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

49,000 mi

SOME DRIVING POSITIONS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE SHIFT INDICATOR OR TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS. THIS MEANS IT MAY BE HARD TO TELL WHETHER THE TRANSMISSION IS A NEUTRAL, DRIVE OR MANUAL POSITION. I NEARLY HIT A DRIVER AND A CAR WASH BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS IN DRIVE. THERE IS AN OVERHANG THAT IS TOO LONG OBSCURING PART OF THE DASH.

NHTSA ID

11220330

Incident

Jun 20, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRUSHED ALUMINUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PLASTIC AROUND THE RADIO AND VENTS REFLECTED SUNLIGHT, CREATING A GLARE WHICH BLINDED THE CONTACT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN RECURRING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA ID

11020598

Incident

Sep 28, 2016