Ford Transit Connect problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 32 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Ford Transit Connect? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 33,750 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 46,675 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- body — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 92,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 33,750 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Ford Transit Connect
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My spouse rear ended the above vehicle. She says that the stop lights were very difficult to see when in full sun. Incident occurred in slow and go traffic on a freeway. When exchanging information with the driver, he stated that he had been rear ended just recently due to the…
Vehicle stops when brake pedal applied, then moves forward while brake pedal is held down. Vehicle them moves forward on its own,again, requiring additional pedal pressure until pedal nearly at floor. Numerous drivers in the office have experienced same problem with this…
While driving the vehicle, regardless of whether I am going at a slow or fast speed, the door-ajar notification light may randomly turn on and stay on. Sometimes it will turn on when first starting the vehicle. When this condition occurs, the doors will not lock, even after the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford transit connect. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the automatic transmission failed. The contact stated that the transmission failure caused the vehicle to move from the drive gear to neutral without the shift interlock button…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford Transit Connect is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Ford Transit Connect does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Ford Transit Connect a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 32 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 33,750 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,750 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Transit Connect has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 32 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.