Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Ford Transit Connect powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Ford Transit Connect, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Among the 10 model years of Ford Transit Connect in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 powertrain 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.
Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The transmission is the core issue across these complaints. Owners describe slipping, missed shifts, and complete loss of responsiveness—sometimes at highway speeds where a sudden downshift threw occupants into the dash and blew transmission fluid onto the exhaust. In several cases, the transmission either won't engage any gear or gets stuck; one owner's transmission is literally stuck in park because the shift cable bushing fell out and Ford won't supply the replacement part.
Transmission failures appear early: one at 76K miles with burnt fluid and metal in the pan; others much sooner. Dealers have performed full overhauls that didn't fix the problem, and replacement units are being installed without solving the underlying issue. One mechanic shop rushed a transmission replacement, charged extra, and the jerking persisted.
Related mechanical problems include a transaxle fluid leak discovered during first oil change (same defect on two vehicles owned by the same customer), spark plug threading failure causing misfires, and a parasitic battery drain from the BCM that kills the battery overnight even after replacement. Dealer responsiveness varies—some won't supply needed parts, others can't fit repairs into their schedule for weeks.
Same Ford Transit Connect powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping, missing shifts, loss of responsiveness
Transmission fails to engage properly in forward or reverse, slips between gears, or becomes completely unresponsive. Owners report the vehicle will not accelerate when commanded or suddenly loses all drive. Occurs both hot and cold. Incidents have happened at highway speeds (75 mph) and low speeds (traffic circles, parking). In one case, transmission shifted into low gear unexpectedly during passing, causing violent deceleration and fluid loss.
When: 76K miles reported in one case; others not specified. Can occur early in vehicle's life.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips or misses shifts from drive or reverse; Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator input; Hard shifts and clunking noise at highway speed; Sudden downshift to low gear without driver input; Transmission fluid blown out onto exhaust; Bumping sensation during acceleration at highway speeds; Shifts rough between first and second gear; Vehicle goes into neutral unexpectedly and won't engage any gear
Codes mentioned: P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire (appears related to transmission issues in narrative #1), Transmission failure warning indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required in multiple cases. One owner reports transmission overhaul performed but issue persisted. Dealer charged $200 extra on one repair; costs not specified in most narratives. One transmission had burnt fluid and metal found in pan.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attributed failures to overfill (one case), rodent damage to wiring harness (one case). No recalls identified by dealership in narrative #10. No warranty coverage or compensation offered in cases outside warranty period.
Transmission fluid leak from transaxle
Transaxle develops leak early in vehicle ownership, identified during first oil change. Same defect reported on two separate 2014 Transit Connect vehicles owned by same customer. Leak requires dealer service and parts replacement.
When: Identified at first oil change; one repair took ~2 weeks, second still pending after 3 weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from transaxle; Fluid leak visible during initial service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer ordered parts; one case took approximately 2 weeks to repair. Second vehicle still not repaired after 3 weeks due to dealer service scheduling delays.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford does not appear concerned about leak, per owner. Covered under warranty or dealer service in these cases.
Spark plug threading failure
Original spark plugs have stripped threading in cylinders. Owner was not aware of this defect until check engine light appeared and mechanic diagnosed during repair.
When: Original equipment; detected approximately 2-3 days before August 6, 2024 when check engine light appeared
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire); Misfire detected by diagnostic scan
Codes mentioned: P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced. Mechanic noted threading was stripped. Same misfire code reappeared less than a week after repair.
BCM battery drain issue
Battery module controller (BCM) causes excessive battery drain overnight, draining battery completely even with new battery installed. Problem ceases only when BCM fuse is removed. Likely electrical system defect.
When: Not specified; multiple dealer visits required
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drains overnight; Battery drain persists after battery replacement
Repairs/costs cited: New battery installed but issue recurred. Fuse removal stops drain temporarily but is not a practical solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mentioned as 'possible BCM issue' by owner; no manufacturer remedy indicated.
Transmission shift cable bushing failure
Shift cable bushing fell out while vehicle was stationary and owner was shifting from park. Transmission is now stuck in park and cannot be shifted. Part availability issue compounds the problem.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Bushing fell out during shifting operation; Transmission stuck in park; Cannot shift out of park
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership will not sell the replacement bushing part, preventing repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refuses to supply the replacement part.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
At 76k miles the transmission began slipping and missing shifts from both reverse and drive selections, either hot or cold. 1st and 2nd gear are where this issue is most acute. It occurs when accelerating from a stop and also when decelerating. Gator Ford stated transmission needed to be replaced at considerable cost. Also stated fluid was burnt and metal found in pan. All service with exception…
contacted local ford dealership for recall repairs (Johnson City Ford). they state there are not any recalls for a 2014 ford transit connect and would not schedule the repairs.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Ford Transit Connect?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 71,999 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2014/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.