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2013 Ford Transit Connect problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Ford Transit Connect has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 32owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 39%fail the UK MOT
32 complaints, against an average of 47 for the other 10 Ford Transit Connect model years.
Every Ford Transit Connect model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
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What goes wrong with the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
The components named most often in the 32 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Ford Transit Connect owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 32 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2013 Ford Transit Connect been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Risk: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Fix: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAClutch pressure plate may fracture
Risk: A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture a noise (thud / bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area.
Fix: To prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel Wrench light and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released.
UK DVSAThe engine cylinder head may crack
Risk: Localized overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack.This may cause a pressurized oil leak which in extreme circumstances could result in a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: On affected vehicles Inspect engine and cooling system. Replace affected components and fit a Coolant Level Sensor along with associated software to provide and audible and visual warning to the driver.
UK DVSAPanoramic roof glass may detach
Risk: It has been identified that the mating surface of the vehicle body for the panoramic glass roof panel may have been contaminated during the primer phase of the instigation process. There is a possibility that this could cause poor adhesion between the panoramic glass roof panel and the vehicle body. This could result in wind noise water leaks and in the worst cases detachment of the panoramic glass roof.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to remove clean body and re-bond the panoramic glass roof panel.
EU Safety GateThe selector lever may malfunction, leading to unintentional movements of the vehicle.These movements of the vehicle will increase the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe clutch pressure plate may break while the vehicle is in motion.This may lead to a malfunction of the transmission and to increased risk of the engine catching fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThere is a possibility of poor adhesion between the panoramic roof glass panel and the vehicle body.This could result in the glass panel separating from the vehicle, causing injury to other road users / pedestrians.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Ford Transit Connect owners report?
12 of the 32 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Power transmission failure due to electrical issues. 63k miles only.
Transmission. I was driving down the road in my Ford transit going 65 miles an hour I I started to have major transmission problems from traffic slow down so I slow down with it down to 30 miles an hour after doing so traffic sped back up and I could not get out of third gear when I realized how fast I was going in third gear and it would not shift, I tried to slow down and then re-accelerate to see if it would shift when it shifted in the fourth gear it never left fourth gear and revs back to 8000 RPMs at that point the check engine light came on with the gear light in with the transmission…
The muffler split open most likely from a clog. Because of that, the exhaust was directed toward the floor of the truck instead of going out of the muffler. As a result, it burnt through the heat shield, the back of the truck, melted the wiring harness, and burned a hole straight through the fuel tank. A mechanic took out the fuel tank and when it was being dropped out fuel spilled everywhere and there was a hole in the side of the tank. Since the wiring harness was melted, there was no power and no fuel pump power. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the car could have easily…
MY TRANSIT IS ONLY 7 YEAR OLD AND THE CHASIS LOOK REALLY BAD THERE IS A LOT OF RUST IN ALL CHASIS. *TR
TAKATA RECALL - COOLING SYSTEM, OVERHEATING , DANGER - COULD CAUSE FIRE DUE TO OVER HEATING ! COOLANT LEVEL KEEPS DROPPING , NO WARNING !! ALWAYS WHILE DRIVING ! CAN'T GO FAR ! CAN'T DRIVE VEHICLE !!
3/19 THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WENT HOT QUICKLY. CHECKED COOLANT, ALTHOUGH FULL IN 2/19 NOW EMPTY. GARAGE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND CONTACTED DAVIDSON'S FORD WHO ADVISED TO INSTALL A NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT. IN 7/19 TRANSIT BEGAN TO STALL AFTER SHORT DRIVE, THEN ENGINE GOT SO HOT IT STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START. I KEPT TRYING TO START IT MANY TIMES. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DAVIDSON'S FORD WHO DID A DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND FOUND THE COOLANT BOILS OUT OF RESERVOIR EVEN WHEN SITTING BEFORE FANS CAN COME ON. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AS THE ENGINE MAY…
THE REAR WHEEL ADJUSTERS ARE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EVERY 15 TO 20 THOUSAND MILES MAINLY ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEELS. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN USING MOTORCRAFT PARTS. THE DRIVER COMPLAINS THAT THERE IS A GRINDING, CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ONLY SELL A LOT OF THEM.
I FOUND PULLING ON TO A 55 MPH HIGHWAY STARTING FROM A GRAVEL LOT, I ALLOW PLENTY OF SPACE FROM TRAFFIC AND, IF I GET THE SLIGHTEST WHEN SPIN, THE POWER DROPS AND I AM HALF IN TRAFFIC AND CAN'T MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE HAD CARS HONK AND WEAVE AROUND ME TO AVOID COLLISION. I MADE A GREAT DISTANCE TO BE SAFE AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY STALLING IN THE LANE. 4 SECONDS AT 60 MPH IS 352 FEET. IT GOES AWAY QUICK. OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SNOW TRAPPING THE VAN IN PLACE. OTHERS HAVE PULLED FUSE 191 TO DISABLE ALL ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTIONS. YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN TRAFFIC. HAS…
FRONT TURN SIGNALS BURNING THROUGH CONTACT. BOTH SIDES, BOTH CONNECTS THAT I HAVE. GOING TO BE SECOND TIME REPLACING EACH OF THEM ON EACH VEHICLE.
I PURCHASED A 2013 TRANSIT CONNECT FROM A FORD DEALER THIS FALL. STILL UNDER FORD WARRANTY AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD. TODAY WE GOT OUR FIRST SNOW AND WHILE DRIVING THE TCS KICKED IN AND BASICALLY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE, SO WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLES TVS LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I OPENED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND LOOKED FOR THE TCS SHUT OFF BUTTON LISTED IN THE MANUAL AND MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE ONE. SO NOW I REALIZE I AM IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I CANNOT MOVE AND OTHER VEHICLE INCLUDING TWO WHEEL DRIVE CARS…
AFTER LIGHT FREEZING RAIN, I WAS UNABLE TO GET TRACTION GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL THAT IS USUALLY NOT A PROBLEM. I WAS TRYING TO GO 20-25 MILES/ HOUR ON A TWO LANE STREET. I DOWN SHIFTED, I TRIED LESS GAS, I TRIED MORE GAS, NOTHING HELPED. I WAS PASSED BY APPROXIMATELY 50 CARS, 4 OF THEM WERE TOYOTA PRIUSES. NONE OF THEM HAD SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY GETTING TRACTION. I EVEN BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARDS AT ONE POINT. IT TOOK ME APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES TO GO APPROXIMATELY 1/8TH OF A MILE. I COULD NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE WAY. I FINALLY MADE IT TO A DRIVEWAY WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW, AND WAS ABLE TO…
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH WITH A BAD WIRING HARNESS, THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE YET FORD DOES NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR FIXING IT. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY MAY GET THE REQUIRED PART. *TR
2013 Ford Transit Connect: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Transit Connect; the most common categories were power train (7, 21.9%), engine (5, 15.6%), structure (4, 12.5%). There are 4 safety recalls. 3 complaints mention a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
Across 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (21.9% of complaints), engine (15.6% of complaints), structure (12.5% of complaints), electrical system (9.4% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (9.4% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect; the most recent (campaign 22V413000, 2022-06-10) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Ford Transit Connect stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 32 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect (12.5%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I found pulling on to a 55 mph highway starting from a gravel lot, i allow plenty of space from traffic and, if i get the slightest when spin, the power drops and i am half in traffic and can't move for a few seconds." (NHTSA complaint 11141969, October 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Transit Connect
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2013 only. How these reports are made.