2016 Ford Transit Connect Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe panoramic sunroof and windshield glass that comes loose or detaches, sticking front brakes that can lock up or fail to release, and shift cable or shift linkage failures that leave the van stuck in a gear. Complaints are spread across the mileage range, with engine power-loss reports tending to come early and brake and transmission reports more often past 60,000 miles.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Panoramic sunroof detaching from the roof

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • median 91,387 mi at 4.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe the fixed panoramic glass panel or its shade coming loose at speed, sometimes with a noise and then separating from the roof frame. Some complaints note water leaking around the roof or cracked glass, and several mention the dealer linking the failure to an existing sunroof recall while parts were unavailable or the repair was declined. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 165,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

   Recall 20V2600001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the panoramic roof glass and its bonding for lifting edges, wind noise or water stains on the headliner; ask whether recall 20V260000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our daughter was driving our 2016 Ford Transit Connect home on 65n right before exit 78 in nashville, tn. She was doing about 55. It was at about 10pm and thankfully there was not traffic directly behind her. The huge glass panoramic roof and sunshade came off and tore from the frame of the car leaving damage to the structure of the car. There was slight noise and my passengers informed her the glass roof and shade ripped off. This is no fault of the owner. This is a manufacture defect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11299805, filed 2020-01, 94,000 miles

   “While driving down the freeway the stationary panoramic roof glass dislodged, went into the air and landed on the freeway in dramatic fashion without injury or killing anyone. The car behind me swerved to avoid the flying glass.”

   NHTSA complaint #11308375, filed 2020-02, 110,260 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Front brakes sticking, locking up or not releasing

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the front brakes dragging or locking while driving, a burning smell from a wheel, and after caliper and hose replacement the problem returning. In several cases owners say the hydraulic control unit was found to need replacement, or that the vehicle would not move after stopping because the brakes would not release. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 130,000 miles, with some reports as low as 20,000.

   Recall 16V482000

   What to check: After a test drive, feel each front wheel for uneven heat or a burning smell, and ask whether brake calipers, hoses or the hydraulic control unit have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway business 85 heading to work, I was traveling 65mph my van suddenly started to slow down, as I'm trying to pull over onto the side of highway my front brakes locked up nearly causing an accident, there was a burning smell coming from the front passenger wheel, towed the shop they changed brakes, brake calipers and caliper hose I drove it and a week later I was driving and the front brakes locked up again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365076, filed 2020-10, 89,000 miles

   “Calipers and brake pads were replaced and still front brakes locking up. Unable to drive. Also, I had to replace a brand new brain on the van over $3000 electrical. The contact stated the vehicle is not working and needs help.”

   NHTSA complaint #11545515, filed 2023-09
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine loses power or stalls at speed

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2019

   Complaints describe the engine stumbling, losing power or cutting out while cruising, with a check engine light and a message to service the engine, and often normal running after a restart. Several owners say the throttle body was replaced, some under a customer satisfaction program, and others mention coolant loss or overheating. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electronic throttle body and any related calibration updates were performed, and check for stored codes and coolant level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Van went into limp mode while driving on busy roadway. Towed to Ford dealer. Throttle body replaced. Dealer listed recall 17b28 . I had not received recall notice. Contacted Ford. Advised: your patience is greatly appreciated. I was able to verify that you do have program 17b28 titled electronic throttle body replacement open on your vehicle. This is actually not a recall, but a customer satisfaction program (csp). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11030655, filed 2017-09, 7,707 miles

   “Driving in cruise control at 60 MPH on level ground the engine violently stopped as if the vehicle was put into reverse. Mil lights come on along with separate notice to have engine serviced. After coasting to a stop, switched the ignition to the off position and waited a few seconds and attempted a re-start. Re-start successful. Odometer reads 9500 miles. Local dealer not available on friday afternoon to read obd trouble code. Appointment scheduled for the next available time- wednesday am.”

   NHTSA complaint #10985947, filed 2017-05, 9,500 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shift cable or shifter bushing failure

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • median 84,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners report the shifter lever going loose or the cable breaking so the van cannot be shifted out of or into a gear, occasionally while parked or rolling. Complaints say the dealer or a shop diagnosed a failed shifter cable or bushing, and some owners note the similarity to recalls on other Ford models. Reported from about 49,000 to 180,000 miles, usually without warning.

   Recall 22V413000Recall 21V376000

   What to check: Move the shifter through all positions and confirm the gear indicated on the cluster matches; ask whether the shifter cable and bushing were replaced under recalls 21V376000 or 22V413000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 6-11-2020, I attempted to put my 2016 Transit Connect into drive from park. I was at a fast food drive-thru. The gear shift lever stopped in reverse. We tried the emergency neutral reset and it would not work. The wrecker driver mentioned that a part under the hood might be responsible, namely a shifter bushing. He had seen this problem in fusions and focuses. He was able to manually replace the connection long enough for us to get the Transit Connect onto the wrecker. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11329274, filed 2020-06, 70,725 miles

   “I stopped at the foot of my long driveway as I arrived home. I put the car in park and applied the parking brake and exited the vehicle to get my mail. When I returned to my car it would not shift into drive. The shift lever had become disconnected, and the shift lever bushing was gone. I found part of the bushing in the engine compartment. When researching the problem, I found information on the safety recall 18s20, covering the Ford fusion, with the same motor and transmission as the 2016 Ford Transit Connect I own. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11395864, filed 2021-02, 107,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Windshield bonding and water leaks

   • 14 complaints (13%)
   • median 49,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the windshield seal letting go or water entering at the top of the windshield and dripping onto the dash or footwell. Some complaints describe water reaching the engine or electrical parts, and dealers resealing or replacing the windshield. Reported from low mileage up to about 60,000 miles, in rain or wet conditions.

   Recall 22V1920002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for water stains near the headliner and A-pillars after rain, and ask whether the windshield reseal or recall 22V192000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1/2 of the windshield seal failed leaving the windshield unattached to the vehicle. I noticed it was loose when cleaning the inside of the windshield. The next morning I went to a glass repair shop. The manager said not to drive the vehicle around due to safety issues and take it to the dealer because the seal should not have failed within 3 years. The service manager wanted me to continue driving the vehicle around until they had an opening in appointments. I was afraid to drive it with only 1/2 of the windshield seal intact. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11191113, filed 2019-03, 39,000 miles

   “We have a 2016 Ford Transit Connect Van with 6,700 Miles. The Windshield come out loose and it could have been fatal to the life of passengers or others on the road. We went to the dealership and got to know that Ford is aware about it but is not covered. We are paying about $650 to glue the windshield back on the Van. We are paying this for the safety of the people. This could be dangerous and can lead to accidents or deaths on the road. Please address this with Ford since our concern is not being addressed by Ford or their dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11459210, filed 2022-04

Buying note. Check the sunroof and windshield sealing, test the brakes and shifter carefully on a test drive, and ask for records showing which of the related recalls and service programs have been completed on the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.