BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
2020 Ford Transit Connect
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Ford Transit Connect, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and driver assistance categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 93 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 4 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 5 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 7 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 9 |
| Sep 2022 | 2 | 11 |
| Feb 2023 | 2 | 13 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 14 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 15 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 16 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 17 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 18 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 19 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 20 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 21 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 22 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 23 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | 25 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 26 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 29 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 30 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 31 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)1032.3%
- Brakes516.1%
- Driver assistance516.1%
- Visibility516.1%
- Engine26.5%
- Fuel system13.2%
- Airbags13.2%
- Steering13.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
8 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Intermittent Electronic issues are: 1) Rear view backup camera malfunction. Works sporadically. Camera some times clear as bell, and stays on when in drive moving forward. Other days camera fails to blue screen, then turns gray with message that camera is unavailable, contact dealership. Defect is not currently not listed for this vehicle as a recall. Definite safety hazard with camera staying on when vehicle is in drive and moving forward. 2) Auto start, stop feature was functioning when vehicle was purchased November of 2025, but as of April 2026, system began to turn itself on and off, no longer can be activated or deactivated via command button on console.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751874
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2026
The windsheild is not properly sealed. It has caused water to leak into the vehicle. The water leaking in has caused electrical problems with the radio and backup camera. Also causing mold inside the vehicle.
- NHTSA ID
- 11737645
- Incident
- Feb 16, 2026
ABS Hydraulic control unit pump malfunction. vehicles brakes locked up on the highway and could of caused an accident. this is a known and common issue with these vans. this type of thing shouldnt happen my vehicle has only has 67,000 miles on it. I have seen other report this issue with less miles than that. vehicle is now having the unit replaced.
- NHTSA ID
- 11734688
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, rainwater poured into the vehicle from the front passenger’s side windshield. The vehicle was taken to the local Satellite Auto Glass repair shop, and it was discovered that the front windshield adhesive had failed, causing the passenger’s side front windshield to become unsecured. The contact was advised that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that several electrical features were damaged due to the water, including the audible warnings and 911 assist from the inoperable Bluetooth. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V192000 (VISIBILITY). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 189,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11731905
- Incident
- Jan 6, 2026
- Mileage
- 189,000 mi
Water leaking through front windshield. Internet shows there is a recall for improper adhesive of windshield on 2020 Transit Connect but when my 2020 Transit Connect VIN Nm0ls6e25l1446922. Was taken to Ford dealership they are advising there is no recall on my vehicle.
- NHTSA ID
- 11706609
- Incident
- Dec 22, 2025
I started experiencing a sluggishness and jerking sensation upon acceleration. I took my van to Starling Ford who diagnosed it to be a transmission issue. An estimate was given for either replacing or repairing the transmission. Shock. I took the van to Premier Auto Care, for a second opinion. They then referred me to Quality Transmission after driving the van. I asked Ford for some assistance since the quote was so much and it was out of warranty at 60,784 miles due to "wear and tear". After about a week, Ford responded with $5,984.37. I decided to have Quality Transmission replace the transmission after hearing from 2 mechanics that they had seen other Ford Transit Connect vans, with more mileage than mine, having the same transmission problems. I find it hard to believe that a transmission had to be replaced before 100,000 miles, which seems to be the magic number for miles. My van is used for personal use only.
- NHTSA ID
- 11693697
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2025
Transmission failure in my 2.0L Ford Transit Connect at approximately 94,000 miles. When I shift into reverse, the van sometimes drives forward instead of backing up — as if the transmission is confused or stuck in the wrong gear. Over time, reverse completely stopped working altogether. Additionally, after coming to a full stop (such as at a red light), the van occasionally stalls or becomes unresponsive when pressing the gas pedal. This creates dangerous situations in traffic. All recommended maintenance has been done on time, including a full transmission flush performed by a Ford dealer at around 80,000 miles. There were no warning lights or error messages before the issue began. After researching, I found many other Transit Connect owners with the same problem, especially in models with the 2.0L engine. This points to a potential defect in the transmission system. A full transmission replacement may be necessary, and I believe Ford should issue a recall to address this recurring failure.
- NHTSA ID
- 11674837
- Incident
- Jul 16, 2025
The brake pedal went down far and there was poor braking. The brake fluid was found to be leaking from the left front brake jounce hose. This was unsafe due to extended braking stop time and less braking ability. I am an ASE certified master technician and I work in a private vehicle fleet repair facility. I did not interview the driver if the BRAKE warning light came on but most likely it did due to brake fluid leaking fast from this line. We also had a failure of this type on a 2019 Ford Transit Connect which is also in our fleet. So it appears Ford has another problem with front brake jounce hose failures.
- NHTSA ID
- 11673142
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2025
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App, problems with remote commands being performed through The Ford App Lincoln App and or incorrect data information reported on The Ford App Lincoln App. These symptoms will be accompanied by diagnostic trouble code DTC B156D 89 in the TCU. This may be due to the accessory protocol interface module APIM software. To correct the condition, update the APIM software.
POWER TRAIN
This article supersedes TSB 24-2092 to update model years. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Transmission slipping Harsh Engagements Clutch DTCs This may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier assembly.
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.