Selling a worn-out or dead Ford Transit Connect

Before you let it go, run the VIN for open recalls. This small van collected 31 campaigns over 14 model years, and several of the fixes are for exactly the faults that take a van off the road.

The van's three phases

Ford sold the Transit Connect in North America for the 2010-2023 model years, after selling it in Europe since 2002. Every one came in as an import. Wikipedia notes that all arrived as passenger vans, and the cargo versions were converted after they landed. Our counts are from NHTSA data we pulled on October 10, 2026.

Some recalls span two phases and are counted in each, which is why the recall column totals more than 31. EPA lists both the 2.5 and the 2.0 for 2019. Recall 20V636 also names 2019-2020 vans with the 2.5, so that engine didn't disappear with the update. Ford's own support page says that as of 2023 the van is no longer in production.

Where these vans fail

Doors and body panels, 2014-2016

Leave out NHTSA's "unknown or other" group and structure is the top complaint system on the 2014 (26 of 127) and the 2015. It ties for first on the 2016. Latch complaints rank lower, with 14 on the 2014 and 9 on the 2015. One 2014 owner wrote simply: "LH front door won't latch." Recall 23V502 (July 2023) covers a front door latch pawl that can crack on 112,225 2014-2016 vans. These vans were also in 16V643, a door latch recall that spanned several Ford models. A later campaign, 20V331, went back to vehicles whose earlier latch repair "may not have been completed properly." On 2014 cargo vans built August 9, 2013 to September 20, 2014, the plastic sliding door panel may not stick to the paint primer well enough to stay on at speed (14V777). Dealers reinstall it with proper materials.

Roof glass

Vans with Ford's fixed-glass panoramic Vista roof drew four recalls for a weak bond between the glass and the body. The largest, 20V260 (May 2020), covers 5,088 2014-2017 vans; 24V294 (April 2024) adds 1,315 2017-2019 vans. Two smaller campaigns cover 2014 models (16V695 and 21V977). Visibility ties for the most complaints on the 2016, at 13.

The 1.6 EcoBoost, 2013-2015

Recall 17V209 (March 2017) covers 2013-2015 Transit Connects with the 1.6-liter turbo, plus some Escape, Fiesta ST and Fusion models, 208,584 vehicles in all. Ford's bulletin, safety recall 17S09, puts it this way: "localized overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack, causing a pressurized oil leak that may result in a fire in the engine compartment." The fix adds a coolant level sensor. The repair campaign began January 5, 2018.

Shifting and the 2.5-liter

Power train is the system owners name most across all years, with 85 complaints, and it leads the 2019 (22 of 51) and the 2020. A 2019 owner reported the van was "NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, THEN STUCK IN 3RD GEAR." Recall 21V376 (May 2021) covers 192,080 2013-2021 vans with the 2.5-liter, where the shifter cable bushing can break down or come off. Recall 20V636 (October 2020) updated engine software on 2,903 2019-2020 2.5-liter vans. Its fail-safe temperature limits were set too high, which could let a van that lost coolant overheat and damage the engine.

Early and 2014 build recalls

The 2010 vans built December 5, 2008 to May 31, 2010 failed federal standard 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," in testing (10V316, 33,728 vans). Wipers top the 2011 complaints and tie for the top on the 2012. Recall 12V374 found wiper arms on 16,330 of those vans that were not riveted well enough. On the 2014, fuel and vapor lines could be routed so they rubbed through (14V703). Upper seat belt bolts on other 2014 vans may not have been tightened right (15V050).

Complaints, mileage and recalls, year by year

From NHTSA's complaint and recall files, October 10, 2026. The mileage column is the median odometer figure owners wrote down in that year's complaints: half were lower, half higher. The recall column includes three campaigns by van conversion companies, for mobility and seating equipment they installed.

Is the van worth another repair?

For a work van, the test is what the repair costs against what the van earns or would sell for running.

1. Clear the recalls first. Search the VIN on NHTSA's recall page. Latch, roof, shifter bushing and 1.6 EcoBoost fixes are done free at Ford dealers.
2. Won't shift right? On a 2.5-liter van, rule out the bushing recall before paying for transmission work. The bad transmission guide covers the rest.
3. Thinking of pulling parts to sell separately? Shelving and racks can come out if you want to keep them; just mention it in your offer request. For the engine and drivetrain, our part it out or sell it whole page explains why one sale is usually less work.

Handing over the van whole

1. List the basics: the VIN, the mileage, what fails, and any upfit such as shelves, a partition or a ladder rack.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it's parked, whether that's a home driveway, a shop yard, a street or a fleet lot. Note whether it rolls and whether the keys are on hand.
4. Leave the engine, wheels and catalytic converter on. Missing parts change the offer, so say so up front.
5. Bring the title and a photo ID to pickup. If a business owns the van, the person signing must be able to sign for it. After you sell covers plates and registration by state.

Other Ford vans: the Transit and the E-Series. The Escape shared the 1.6 EcoBoost recall. Or see every Ford.