2019 Ford Transit Connect transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V196000Mar 28, 2025152 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V-636. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay engine cooling and result in engine overheating.

  Risk: An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S32.

• Recall 22V413000Jun 10, 20222,925,968 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 21V376000May 24, 2021192,080 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V636000Oct 15, 20202,903 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay the fail-safe cooling strategy in the event of coolant loss and result in engine overheating.

  Risk: If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S60.

• Recall 20V550000Sep 10, 202097 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

  Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 18, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

   Since I’ve bought it at 48,000 miles the van has always had hard engagements on 1 gear and 2nd. I knew the transmission was bad a week after I bought it at the ford dealership. All they did under their limited warranty was a transmission flush. Now it has 70,000 and the torque converter is toast now. I was on the interstate going 70mph. Let off the gas and a huge aggressive deceleration happened and I almost lost control. It is constant issue now when going over 70mph. Took…

   NHTSA complaint #11744955 · source
2. Filed Dec 30, 2025NHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failure at 80,000 miles. This a known issue with 8F35 transmissions in these model years. Left me stranded and in danger on the roadway. The transmission has other recalls, and a TSB from Ford acknowledging the issues without recall for known failures. There were no lamps, indicators, or codes before failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11707757 · source
3. Filed Oct 7, 2025MDTransmission & Drivetrain

   Good evening, I wanted to bring to your attention an ongoing issue I've experienced with two 2019 Transit Connect vehicles that I purchased together. Both vehicles have encountered a transmission problem when shifting into reverse; initially, they would not move, but after shifting to park and then back to reverse, they would engage. I visited the dealership where I bought both vehicles, and they inspected them, indicating that they found no problems. However, both vehicles…

   NHTSA complaint #11691952 · source
4. Filed Aug 21, 2025ILBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Damaged torque converter pump and foreward planetary assy bushings. Jerks when accelerating, loses power, hesitates backing up. Overhaul of torque converter, reseal and reassemble. Hydraulic control unit not working properly and break on left front does not release and overheats. Replaced hydraulic control unit. Airbox loose and damaged. Rattling. Replaced airbox.

   NHTSA complaint #11682139 · source
5. Filed May 19, 2025COTransmission & Drivetrain

   the transmission stopped while in motion approaching a stoplight. It made a big clunking noise kind of died and will not do anything now. It is sitting in a dealership waiting for repairs. Under NHTSA Campaign #21V376000 it is the exact issue per the Ford dealership. The only difference in that recall is the engine size is 2.5L and our is 2.0L. Ford will not do anything to help us fix the issue due to the engine size difference and the specifications of that recall. It is a…

   NHTSA complaint #11661912 · source
6. Filed Apr 2, 202584,500 miNYTowedElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the electrical system failed to respond, and the vehicle turned off. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was no power to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed along with a taillight repair. On a separate occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond, the transmission was not shifting properly, which caused…

   NHTSA complaint #11652334 · source
7. Filed Jan 13, 2025PABrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   1 Transmission: very harsh shift engagements up shift and downshifting. Harsh downshifting while cornering and approaching intersections made me concerned for my safety. Random slipping in mid gears 3,4, or 5, no DTC's for slipping or harsh engagements. Transmission currently has the DTC: P0772 Shift Solenoid E Stuck On. and is not drive able. Vehicle is in my driveway until I determine where to take it. I am concerned why my vehicle Vin isn't listed in the transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11635748 · source
8. Filed Dec 18, 202491,000 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 91,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11631372 · source
9. Filed Jan 30, 2024FLAirbagsElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission converter and Ford refuses to honor the repair. It does not show on their computer yet the RPM needle goes up and down on stealth mode. The wiper hose keeps coming off. The back up camera kept going black. The AC went out at less than 40,000 miles. The software will not update. The eco system would not work properly. The passenger bag is not detected.

   NHTSA complaint #11568876 · source
10. Filed Oct 4, 2023PATransmission & Drivetrain

    The transmission needs replaced at 88,900 miles on a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. I have reached out to Ford and they will NOT do anything except to tell me I should have it repaired/replaced at a Ford authorized dealer so that the parts are under warranty. I use this compact cargo van for my business and am being for to put unnecessary wear and tear and miles on my personal vehicle for work. The transmission started to fail and the vehicle went into "limp" mode. The vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11548288 · source
11. Filed Aug 15, 2023UTTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission had high RPM's intermittently shifting out of lower gears and experienced poor gas mileage prior to complete failure. complete failure occurred at a complete stop and would not go in any gear but 8th gear. no check engine light at failure. $8300 to replace transmission at 77k miles. transmission fluid cannot be checked or maintained by owner.

    NHTSA complaint #11538588 · source
12. Filed Jul 19, 2023TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission locks up on road, bringing van to a stop. At 80,000 miles the transmission went out. Ford replaced whole transmission with extended warranty. At 149,000 miles transmission went out again. Same thing, Planitary gear broke, silonoid for shifting had to be relaced, clutches worn to metal. Ford refused to fix it. Too many cars on lot to fix.

    NHTSA complaint #11533258 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology