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2021 Ford Transit Connect Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
9
owner complaints to NHTSA
22–26
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Software (back over prevention)

    NHTSA 25V442000 Reported 200,237 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024…

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…

  2. Shift linkage/cable/rod (power train) and gear position indication (prndl) (power train)

    NHTSA 22V413000 Reported 2,925,968 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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.

    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,…

  3. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 21V592000 Reported 42,493 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were…

  4. Shift linkage/cable/rod (power train) and gear position indication (prndl) (power train)

    NHTSA 21V376000 Reported 192,080 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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.

    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.…

9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“On going problem that's getting worse and have totally stopped driving the van. Transmission Severe Slipping, harsh and hard shifting, abrupt Highway deceleration & violent downshift while on the Hwy.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 30, 2026 · Power train

“The transmission hasn't been working correctly for the last 2 years. It was constantly shifting incorrectly, lagging, stuttering, and making driving difficult. It finally just stopped in the middle of”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 22, 2026 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect (Transit Connect USPS, Transit Connect Van FFV, Transit Connect Van FWD, Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined22–26 mpg
City / Highway20–24 / 26–29
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engine4 cyl, 2/2.5 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S6); Automatic (S8)

Compare Ford Transit Connect model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Transit Connect model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2010 Ford Transit Connect242
2011 Ford Transit Connect124
2012 Ford Transit Connect126
2013 Ford Transit Connect432
2014 Ford Transit Connect15127
2015 Ford Transit Connect1066
2016 Ford Transit Connect10104
2017 Ford Transit Connect628
2018 Ford Transit Connect622
2019 Ford Transit Connect851
2020 Ford Transit Connect832
2021 Ford Transit Connect49
2022 Ford Transit Connect16
2023 Ford Transit Connect01

Checking a specific 2021 Ford Transit Connect

How do I know if my 2021 Ford Transit Connect has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2021 Ford Transit Connect; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V376000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Ford models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.