2017 Ford Transit connect
The Verdict
The 2017 Ford Transit connect has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (11 complaints) and brakes (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 94/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Transit connect, consider the 2021 model year which has 70% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2021 has 70% fewer complaints
View the 2021 Ford Transit connect dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Transit Connect vehicles. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which can result in the panel detachi...
Risk
A roof panel that detaches while driving can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera intermittently failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. Occasionally, the screen went black while displaying an image. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Rear brake lights work when locking and unlocking van however the passenger brake light does not work when pushing the brake pedal to stop van
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while reversing with the rearview camera engaged, the screen became blurry or blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the front driver’s side brakes malfunctioned, and the front driver’s side wheel failed to properly rotate. The contact later examined the vehicle and discovered that the front driver’s side brake pad had become stuck to the brake rotor. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS Control Module and Hydraulic Control Unit had failed and needed to be replaced. 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 26,000.
The brakes on my car would not release. After trying to repair we determined it was due to the abs module. Since the module has to be programed by a dealer to communicate with the ecm, I stopped and turned the car over to a Ford dealer. My car was built just outside a documented recall on the abs module. I told ford thir but they did not cover the repair. It is obvious another bad part got thru and my vehicle should be included. I wrote to the ntsb before, but never heard back. When ford replaced the abs module, I keep the bad part incase someone need to inspect the failed part.
This was happened [XXX] in Mesa CO in winter storms negative temperatures and foot of heavy snow far away from anything car simultaneously looks with running engines when I went out of the car with my winter gear and telephone inside. For 4-5 hours didn’t find any body . I thinking I’m going to die. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving my 2017 Ford Transit Connect at highway speed the panoramic sun roof and attached sun shade completely separated from the vehicle flew into the air and landed in the lanes of travel the vehicle behind me was nearly struck. This is an obvious safety issue had the glass struck another vehicle it would have likely caused serious damage and or injuries. The failure could have also caused serious injuries to the passengers to the vehicle had it been a partial separation with glass entering the passenger area. The vehicle is available for inspection until 15 Nov when the repairs will be completed. The vehicle was taken to Ford approximately 18 months ago for a wind noise complaint. The service department could not replicate the wind noise. My vehicle was not included in Ford's recall of the same model for sunroof adhesive failure. This was mentioned to the service department and I was told it was fine to continue to drive the vehicle. In the attached photos you can see signs of adhesive failure with pollen along the adhesive line. The only area that did not completely separate was as short section as noted in the pictures. The vehicle has been assessed by an insurance adjuster.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that there was a windy sound coming from the sunroof of the vehicle. The sound had been progressing as if there was a fracture or separation between the sunroof and the roof sub frame. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V260000 (Visibility) however, the VIN was not included. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated that during rainy weather, moisture was leaking into the vehicle through the top passenger’s side windshield. After the contact was involved in a crash, the leak started across the entire top of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and paid to have the windshield sealant replaced; however, the windshield cracked during the repair and the contact was forced to pay for a new windshield. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Transmission keeps slipping and failing to accelerate. Feels like my van is running over rumble strips and slows the speed down. This continues to happen at many different speeds. Sometimes often and sometimes intermittently.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the panoramic roof panel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20S22 (Panoramic Roof Panel Repair). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 58,373.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Transit. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH in the rain, the vehicle in front of him made a sudden stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the other occupied vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS and the hydraulic control unit (HCU) had failed, which caused the brakes failure. The mechanic replaced the ABS module and the hydraulic control unit (HCU). Additionally, the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who updated the ABS module. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The brake pads do not release immediately after any braking event. Brake release happens between 10 seconds and 24 hours later. Repair work indicates problem is in the abs valve module due to contamination.
HCU (hydraulic control unit) failure, causing brakes to apply without depression of the brake pedal. This occurred both at residential speeds and highway speeds. This caused brakes to over heat excessively and to dangerous levels without system warning. Failure diagnosed by ford dealership technician. Units were recalled on the 2016 Ford Transit Connects for failure unspecified and unknown if there is a relation to this issue as units were only 1 production year apart.
On Friday the 22nd of April I was on the interstate and the vehicle began to slow down and make a scrubbing/grinding noise. I took the exit and by the time I reached the crossroad the vehicle would barely move. The brakes were almost completely locked. There was no warning and no diagnostic light was on. Luckily I was able to get off on the shoulder of the road so no one was in danger. The next day the dealer said my brake hoses had deteriorated but after replacing them the problem persisted. They now say the 'hydraulic control module' has failed. This module controls all the braking, sway control functions. There was a safety recall for this module earlier but they said my VIN was not listed in the recall. The dealer (Forrester's Lincoln 832 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, Pa 17201 717-264-4914) has ordered the replacement part. I believe that the problem may include other vehicles not included in the original recall.
The local Ford dealership has determined that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on the brakes is defective. In the model year 2016, this same vehicle was recalled due to a defective HCU. This vehicle probably should be added to that recall. Symptoms: The front right brake continued to produce smoke while driving.
I was driving on the interstate in heavy traffic. I pressed my accelerator pedal to pass a slower vehicle and the arm holding the accelerator pedal broke in two, causing me to de-accelerate rapidly and almost causing an accident. I can't believe it is made out of plastic!
DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND SIDE DOOR . THESE DON'T LOCK AND THE WINDOWS DON'T WORK BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES. JUST STOPPED WORKING LAST WEEK AND THE SMALL FUSES ARE ALL FINE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RECALL MATTER OR NOT.
REAR WINDOW (IN THE HATCHBACK) CRACKED AND COMPLETELY BROKE APART WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, HAD NOT MOVED/DRIVEN/BEEN ON IN SEVERAL HOURS. NO SIGNS OF VANDALISM/IMPACT ANY OTHER INTERFERENCE.
27 total