2016 Ford Transit Connect Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect.

20152017
Complaints
143
per 10K Sold
33.1
US Sales
43,232
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2016 Ford Transit Connect Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#114 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:50,228 mi
#212 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:26,836 mi
Fires:1
#312 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:95,683 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect.

Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,228
Engine Problems
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
26,836
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
95,683
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,751
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,000
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,178
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,940
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
9,525
Visibility:Windshield
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,148
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,000
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Ford Transit Connect

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~8,928,629 vehicles.

25V572000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~1,456,417 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

23V502000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~112,225 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles. The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.

22V413000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~2,925,968 affected

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.

22V192000Visibility:windshield
~39,720 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The front windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.

21V376000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~192,080 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

20V305000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Seat Belts:front
~1,616 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles. The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.

20V260000Sunroof/Moonroof
~5,088 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water leak, and in some cases, separation from the vehicle.

16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,046,297 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

16V482000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module · Electronic Stability Control
~1,895 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through June 16, 2016. The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Other Ford Transit Connect Years

2016 Ford Transit Connect — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2016 Ford Transit Connect has 143 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 14 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (14 complaints, avg 50,228 mi); Engine Problems (12 complaints, avg 26,836 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (12 complaints, avg 95,683 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,832 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect include 1 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,928,629 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Transit Connect reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2016 Ford Transit Connect

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