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Ford Transit ConnectModel year report

2013 Ford Transit Connect Problems

Compared with other Ford Transit Connect years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

28/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
35,350miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
2 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine (5) and body and structure (4). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,350 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 31 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 Ford Transit Connect model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 28 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I purchased a 2013 Transit Connect from a Ford dealer this fall. Still under Ford warranty and purchased extended warranty through Ford. Today we got our first snow and while driving the tcs kicked in and basically disabled the vehicle. I was unable to move, so while I had my foot on the accelerator the vehicles tvs light was on but the vehicle would not move. I opened the owners manual and looked for the tcs shut off button listed in the manual and my vehicle does have one. …”

NHTSA complaint #10819869, filed 2016-01, 32,000 miles

Engine: “My transit's gauge went to hot very quickly, I checked the coolant and it was empty. It was full a month ago. I added coolant and the gauge still went to hot. I took it to my mechanic and they could not find the problem. They called the Ford dealer and told them the problem. They told my mechanic to put in a new radiator and thermostat. Which they delivered to my mechanic. But the gauge would fluctuate. My mechanic found recall #17s09 which applied to my problem but the VIN # doesn't come up on recall I think because it is a different size engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11203892, filed 2019-04, 35,000 miles

Body and structure: “While driving the vehicle, regardless of whether I am going at a slow or fast speed, the door-ajar notification light may randomly turn on and stay on. Sometimes it will turn on when first starting the vehicle. When this condition occurs, the doors will not lock, even after the vehicle is turned off. This issue begun six months ago and has been occurring more and more frequently on this particular vehicle. Other vehicles of the same model in the company's fleet have reported similar issues intermittently as well.”

NHTSA complaint #10911394, filed 2016-10, 90,000 miles

Brakes: “The rear wheel adjusters are needing to be replaced every 15 to 20 thousand miles mainly on the right rear wheels. We have only been using motorcraft parts. The driver complains that there is a grinding, clicking noise coming from the rear wheels. I have checked with the dealer to see if they have had any other complaints on the issue and they tell me that they only sell a lot of them.”

NHTSA complaint #11165789, filed 2019-01, 130,916 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,800 and 86,000 miles.

23%0–109%10–2532%25–509%50–7518%75–1005%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 35,350 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

720152017201920222024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Transit Connect · VAN FWD★★☆☆☆3 / 3213 · 25.6% risk

Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating; 2014: 5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Ford Transit Connect version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Transit Connect Van FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212723$2,900
Transit Connect Wagon FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic222623$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 31 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 31 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Transit Connect

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20226—1425—Not enough data
202112—4425—Not enough data
20203217,0008—2571 · MoreRising
20195130,0008—2552 · TypicalRising
20182246,0006522—Stable
20172850,000652222 · FewerRising
201610459,0001052376 · MoreFalling
20156680,0001152450 · TypicalFalling
201412860,0001552479 · MoreFalling
20133235,350422328 · FewerFalling
20122635,003122313 · FewerFalling
20112448,6681—22—Falling
20104253,0002—2338 · TypicalRising

All Ford Transit Connect model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Ford Transit Connect is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2013 Ford Transit Connect been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2013 Ford Transit Connect do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2013 Ford Transit Connect 2 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Transit Connect get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Ford Transit Connect (Transit Connect Van, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Ford Transit Connect reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,350 miles and the middle half falls between 15,800 and 86,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.