FORD: THE RADIATOR SIDE TANK SEAMS, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, IS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO GASKET BETWEEN TANK AND RADIATOR CORE. MODEL 2012 TRANSIT CONNECT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford Transit Connect engine problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 4 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Ford Transit Connect, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Ford Transit Connect we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: THE TERMINALS (FEMALE), IN CONNECTOR, COULD HAD BEEN DAMAGED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURING CAUSES VEHICLE TO HESITATE, STUMBLE, RUN ROUGH, OR LOSE OR HAVE LACK OF POWER. MODEL 2012 TRANSIT CONNECT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SOME MODEL YEAR VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE NO COLD AIR FROM AIR CONDITIONER OR VEHICLE OVERHEATING DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE, MAKING ELECTRIC COOLING FAN INOPERATIVE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ON SOME MODEL YEAR VEHICLES AT THE OIL FILTER SEAL, MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL LEAK OR THE FILTER HOUSING FOR THE OIL MAY BE DISTORTED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGH IDLE AND/OR HESITATION, RUNS ROUGH OR LACK OF POWER UPON ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Vehicle was being driven on expressway. Lose of power and the check engine lite came on. Idled the vehicle off the expressway and had towed to bredemann Ford in glenview, il. Throttle body was replaced under the 3 year/36k mile warranty. *js
Driving in stop and go traffic. Stopped at lite. Check engine lite came on. No power. Had to idle home. Obdii codes p0122, p0222, p2111. P2135. Tps reading stuck at 82%. Defective throttle body. *js
The vehicle was driving normal in suburban traffic. Stop & go with speeds up to 40 MPH. During stop at light the check engine lite came on and the vehicle would not accelerate. The yellow check engine lite is on. The vehicle is in limp mode. Obdii codes: p0122, p0222, p2111, p2135. Throttle body failure. *js
When attempting to accelerate from a partial or complete stop, there are times when the gas pedal is pushed all the way to the floor and finally the vehicle takes off. I have had numerous occasions when I have almost run into the vehicle in front of me after taking off from a stop light or stop sign. I have take the vehicle to the dealer we purchased vehicle from new and they can't find anything…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Ford Transit Connect?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Ford Transit Connect?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 110,070 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Transit Connect.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.