2010 Ford Transit Connect Problems and Recalls (42 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2010 Ford Transit Connect is Transmission / driveline (19% of 42 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 42 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2010 Ford Transit Connect?

8 of 42 filings named Transmission / driveline (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (5 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2010 Ford Transit Connect

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  4. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 8 complaints · 19.1% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 4
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 2
  • Deaths 0
All Ford Transit Connect years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 8 of 42 owner complaints (19.1%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 8 complaints, 19.1% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 8 · 19.1% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 11.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 · 11.9% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 5 complaints, 11.9% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 5 · 11.9% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 5 complaints, 11.9% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 · 11.9% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 4 complaints, 9.5% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 fire reports 4 · 9.5% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 3 complaints, 7.1% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 3 · 7.1% Engine (ENGINE): 2 complaints, 4.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 · 4.8% Steering (STEERING): 2 complaints, 4.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 crash reports 2 · 4.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 15 complaints, 35.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 15 · 35.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 8 19.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 11.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 5 11.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 11.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 4 9.5% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 3 7.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 2 4.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 2 4.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 15 35.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2010; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2010. 2010-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2010 Jan 2025 Recall campaign 10V316000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V316000 Recall campaign 12V169000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V169000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2010-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q4 Owner reports 1
2011-Q1 Owner reports 3
2011-Q2 Owner reports 2
2011-Q4 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 3
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q3 Owner reports 2
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 1
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 10V316000
Recall campaign 1 12V169000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Body / frame.

  1. Recall campaign 10V316000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
    Remedy:
    FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 12V169000

    Safety recall 12V169000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIR’S OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.
    Remedy:
    MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH BRAUN TO NOTIFY OWNERS, AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. MAIN MOBILITY HAS NOT PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 4 of 42 complaints · page 1 of 2
2025-03-20Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11649597
CrashFireInjuryDeath
After placing vehicle in Park, vehicle rolled away and destroyed my mailbox. Luckily I was able to stop it inches away from neighbors car. There is a recall for other years, but none for this year. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer yet, however, after talking to the dealership service department, it is a common problem and would cost a lot to repair
2024-03-21Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 11578744
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle drover over the pump in the road and both the front driver's side and front passenger side wheel exterior fender flares along with the front grill had dislodged from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the plastic clips attaching the parts to the body of the vehicle had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.
2023-05-22Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11523294
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The car can roll/move after the automatic transmission has been put in PARK. There are no warnings or indication of a problem and the ignition key can be removed after the transmission is in PARK. But the car can roll away and injure people or damage property if the emergency brake is not engaged. The transmission shift linkage has been examined and it appears to be fine, with no slop or mis-adjustment, and the linkage bushing (that is the subject of a recall of several other Fords of other model years) seems to be fine and not deteriorated. So, it's not the same problematic part but the vehicle roll away risk and danger to people and property is the same. This problem happens every time the vehicle is put in PARK and been independently verified by the vehicle service maintenance department of Somerset County of the State of New Jersey. This problem has been reported to Ford Motor Company and is documented as Case # CAS42939534.
2021-10-13Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11436548
CrashFireInjuryDeath
When I put my TC in park at work this morning it rolled forward. I found it odd so put the vehicle in reverse, applied the brake, put it in park, released the brake, and it again rolled. I applied the parking brake, opened the door and put my left foot on the ground to try to roll it myself. Although I was satisfied it would stay put with the parking brake applied, I moved to a parking space at the outside edge of the lot with a slight down-grade and a curb, and parked with the rear tires against the curb and applied the brake. When I arrived at my desk I did an internet search about this new problem and came across information about a recall for this problem in Ford Transit Connects, however my year is not included. This worries me as I now have a known problem but cannot get it fixed under recall because owners in my vehicle's age group apparently have not experienced this or just figured it was too expensive to fix, or do not keep there vehicle as long as I have. Is there any way to remedy this? My husband and I bought this vehicle new in 2010 and have had very few problems with it, and to now have this major problem that is known with others is troubling. How many more are out there with this same problem?

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2010 Ford Transit Connect?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 8 of 42 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2010 Ford Transit Connect?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources