2017 Ford Transit Connect Owner Complaints

ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS: CONSOLE DISPLAY WORKS ON A DELAY, WHEN UNLOCKING THE CAR WITH REMOTE KEY ALL 4 WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN, LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF WHEN CAR IS LOCKED. CAR HAS TOW PACKAGE AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN 2015-2017 FORD TRANSIT RECALL FROM 5/2018

12/19/2018

THE DOOR LATCH IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING THE ELECTRONICS NOT TO TURN OFF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PASSENGERS LEAVE THE VEHICLE. SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALL ON THE 2016 TRANSIT CONNECT.

12/19/2018

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.

9/19/2022

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.

10/8/2022

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER CAN NOT BE READ IN DAYLIGHT, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK, BUT CAN BE READ AT NIGHT.

10/9/2017

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.

1/30/2021

AT 10,127 MILES, WHILE DRIVING, MY STEERING FAILED. THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST FAILURE NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CAREEN OFF A HIGHWAY AND DIE. NOT ONLY WAS THERE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, THERE WAS RESISTANCE. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY VEHICLE FOPR 45 DAYS NOW, THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER, THE BACKORDER DATE KEEPS GETTING LATER AND LATER. I AM TERRIFIED TO HAVE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ONCE IT IS RETURNED TO ME, I WILL HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN SOMETHING THAT ALMOST KILLED ME. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THIS DEFECT WILL KILL SOMEONE.

7/23/2018

VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MAKING VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER

11/5/2018

42000 MILES , THE FRONT BEARING S) IS PRODUCING A HUMMING SOUND., MORE LIKELY ARE BAD. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING SUCH PROBLEM.

11/13/2018

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.

7/2/2023

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.

1/30/2021

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.

11/10/2023

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.

4/28/2022

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.

7/18/2024

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.

7/28/2023

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.

11/14/2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS A/C UNIT BECOMING INOPERATIVE, HE HAD TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE FAN HAD EATEN AWAY AT THE HIGH COMPRESSION FREON LINE WHICH CAUSED FREON TO LEAK INTO HIS ENGINE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ERROR AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED IN THAT FASHION. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THE CONTACT WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. A DEALER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

10/21/2020

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!

5/17/2021

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.

11/16/2021

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.

2/8/2023

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.

6/27/2023

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.

9/8/2023

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.

11/14/2024

See attached document for complaint

1/23/2025

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

11/1/2025