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2021 Ford Transit connect

The Verdict

98 Smooth Ride

The 2021 Ford Transit connect has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (3 complaints) and engine (2 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 98/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating.

This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.

98

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.

21V592000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can ...

Risk

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner not...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2011132342
2012180170
2013133367
2014730222111
2015411788
2016491691613
2017118413
2018115213
20198172123
2020135129
202113022

By Category

Brakes
3
Engine
2
Transmission
2
Body
1

By Severity

1
1
2
7

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 2

The transmission hasn't been working correctly for the last 2 years. It was constantly shifting incorrectly, lagging, stuttering, and making driving difficult. It finally just stopped in the middle of traffic and would not move. It threw a diagnostic code of P0751, which we learned was related to a known issue with the vehicle, TSB 25-2550. The vehicle is now not drivable and had to be towed back home.

1mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

1mo ago
Body 2

Rear window in hatch door spontaneously shattered while I was driving to work this morning.

3mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

5mo ago
Transmission 2

We have just passed 87,000 miles on our 2021 Ford Transit Connect and the transmission has had to be completely replaced. We were told at the transmission repair facility that ours was one of 4 2021 Ford Transit Connects in their shop alone with a whole transmission replacement within a 2 week time period. While our vehicle is outside of the mileage for the power train warranty from Ford, it is not outside of the time period. We feel that the significant amount of transmissions needing to be replaced on 2021 Ford Transit Connects is unreasonable expectation when you purchase your vehicle brand new from the manufacturer. Our vehicle has always been properly maintained to all dealer specs for the entire time we have owned it (and it was purchased with 6 miles on the odometer).

19mo ago
Engine 2

My windshield is leaking and has been leaking since manufacturing. The windshield is flexing and is missing the adhesive along the top. Caused electrical damage to the car.

28mo ago
Engine 1

This vehicle keeps flashing service engine soon light and malfunction indicator lamp. Dealer is keep saying that there are nothing to fix the issue. However, they have noted that it might be related to fueling hole and also fuel misfire. Dealer is not addressing the issue and on the manual page 99, it advises not to operate the vehicle when both lights flash together. However, dealer is not addressing the issue. Please help.

42mo ago
Brakes 2

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. The whole sudden acceleration happened within about 3-5 seconds and was stopped by the cement planter, cutting off the engine. All front airbags were deployed. A few cuts and bruises from the airbags required no medical attention. No citations were issued by the police. The vehicle damage has been estimated at 27,000 and the insurance company is deciding whether to total it or repair it.

47mo ago
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