2021 Ford Transit Connect Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 50%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, 50% of the 12 complaints for this model year. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband was driving the vehicle and I was the passenger. We got on the highway and were going 67 mph when we smelled something burning. The vehicle speed dropped from 67 mph to 30 mph. No warning lights on the dashboard alerted to anything. We got off the highway and to a place of safety. We got out of the vehicle and both front rotors were glowing red and flames were coming out from behind the driver's side wheel. We had to use an ABC fire extinguisher (which we had in the vehicle) on both front wheels. Once we let everything cool down, we tried to start the vehicle again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11772029, filed 2026-10“Was driving on the highway. Thought there was a smell of something burning. Stopped didn't see anything. When I arrived at my location the smell was much stronger. When I stopped I saw smoke and fire coming from the left front tire. Fire Department was called because the vehicle was parked next to a building. I used three fire extinguishers to put the fire out. The fire department arrived and put water on the area to lower the heat. It turns out the ABS system malfunctioned locking up the right rear and left front brakes. Turns out to be a common issue with the Transit Connects. …”
NHTSA complaint #11772956, filed 2026-10“july2, 2022 Saturday, 4pm 2021 Ford transit connect titanium -Sudden unintended acceleration I was making a very slow (2-3mph) U-turn in an empty, very small strip mall parking lot with the brake being lightly pushed as I went around tight left turn. 3/4 thru the turn the van suddenly accelerated while I believe the brake pedal was still being pushed, I pushed the brake pedal down hard but the van continued to accelerate..it wouldn't slow down. The van jumped the curb and ran into a 4' square cement planter on the sidewalk, sliding the planter about 3 ft. forward. …”
NHTSA complaint #11479256, filed 2022-08“Two tires lock up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. The inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. There are no warning lamps. The vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. After towing to a service station, the ABS module failed and this caused damage to the brakes which had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11713644, filed 2026-01“Automatic braking system module System went out mid drive and Locked up the front right and back left brakes making vehicle immovable in the middle of the highway. Towed to a dealership where they had to remove and replace ABS module no warning lamps were present. No prior symptoms before failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11739612, filed 2026-05Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 50% |
| 2020 | 6 | 19% |
| 2019 | 20 | 38% |
| 2018 | 6 | 27% |
| 2017 | 8 | 29% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 9% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 9 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford Transit Connect
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology