2012 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford TRANSIT CONNECT has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: on a longer trip in my new ford transit connect, i noticed reflections of the outward-facing dashboard and grill on the lower half of the windshield. sometimes it was there,sometimes not. i checked the owners manual which mentioned "tempory shimmering" while the windshield warmed up. i did not real. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

VISIBILITY

9 complaints

26%

• ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT REAL
• I TURN ON REAR DEFOGGER AND THE BACK WINDOW STARTED MAKING A HISSING NOISE AND THEN THE WHOLE WINDOW CRACKED AND THEN THE WINDOW POPPED OUT. *TR
• PUT ON REAR DEFROST BACK DOOR PASSENGER WINDOW EXPLODED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE WE WERE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE NO GLASS INSIDE VEHICLE SO IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OF TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS WITH GLASS SHATTERED BIG HOLE IN GLASS AFTER INITIAL NOISE POP. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT REAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

17%

• ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE
• 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 WIPE
• VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON EXPRESSWAY. LOSE OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON. IDLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND HAD TOWED TO BREDEMANN FORD IN GLENVIEW, IL. THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 3 YEAR/36K MILE WARRANTY. *JS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

4 complaints

11%

• 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
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

11%

• ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE
• AS I'M DRIVING HOME, I START TO SMELL AN UNUSUAL ODOR. I GET HOME , PULL IN DRIVE, TURN OFF TRANSIT AND START UNLOADING GROCERIES. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I CONTINUE TO UNLOAD WHILE I KEEP AN EYE ON THE SMOKE. IT WORSENS AND I REALIZE IT WAS ON FIRE AND BY NOW THERE W
• 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 WIPE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

• ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE
• 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 WIPE
• 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, caus

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT REAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ON START UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN WARM AND THEN GOTTEN COLD VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ECU STORES CODES P2101,P2111 AND P2135. THROTTLE BODY BECOMES DISABLED AND VEHICLE WILL RUN POORLY AND NOT ACCELERATE. REPLACED WITH NEW FORD THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY PART# 8S4Z9E926B @ THIS TIME IN DECEMBE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)