Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Ford Transit Connect powertrain problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 13 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Ford Transit Connect, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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, 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 ↗Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2016 Ford Transit Connect report recurring shifter cable and bushing failures starting around 59,000 miles and continuing into the 180,000-mile range. The most common complaint is the shift cable bushing degrading or breaking, causing the gear selector to disconnect from the transmission—the shifter moves but nothing happens. Owners describe being stuck in park, reverse, or neutral with the vehicle immobilized.
Several owners report unintended gear engagement: downshifting to first at highway speeds, unexpected neutral while accelerating, or the vehicle rolling downhill when parked. One owner's transmission lost all forward-gear function on the highway at 83,000 miles, requiring complete replacement; another had $8,000 in repairs quoted. A few owners note this same failure repeating across multiple Transit Connects they own, and some reference the same part appearing in Ford Fusion recalls (18S20, 20S18) without the Transit Connect being included.
Repairs range from $150 diagnostic fees to full transmission replacement. Recall 21V376000 was issued for powertrain but owners report parts distribution delays. Multiple owners cite no warning lights before failure—the shifter just stops working.
Same Ford Transit Connect powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Shifter bushing/cable disconnection
The shift cable bushing deteriorates or breaks, causing the shifter lever to disconnect from the transmission linkage. The gear selector becomes mechanically unresponsive or stuck in an unintended gear.
When: 59,000–127,000 miles; failures reported both early and late in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever will not engage drive or reverse; Shift lever becomes stuck in reverse or park; Shift lever moves but feels disconnected from transmission; Visible bushing fragments in engine compartment; Vehicle rolls unintentionally when driver expects to be in park
Repairs/costs cited: Bushing or cable replaced by dealer or independent shop; one owner cited $150 diagnostic fee at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18S20 covers 2013–2016 Ford Fusion and 2013–2014 Escape for the same part number; Recall 20S18 also mentioned; owners allege the Transit Connect should have been included in these recalls but was not. Recall 21V376000 (powertrain) issued but parts were not available on schedule.
Unexpected downshift and neutral engagement
While driving at highway speed, the transmission downshifts abruptly to first gear without driver input, and later shifts into neutral without command, creating a hazard when accelerating from a stop.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission downshifts to 1st gear at 65 mph without warning; Transmission shifts into neutral without driver input; Nearly caused collision when neutral engagement occurred at traffic light
Repairs/costs cited: Cable shifter bushing replaced at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance provided
Total transmission failure — no engagement
Transmission loses all ability to engage forward gears; vehicle becomes immobile except in park and neutral. Internal transmission mechanics fail completely.
When: 63,412 miles; 83,000 miles; 180,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission bogs down gradually from 70 mph to stop with no power to engage any gear; Vehicle stops suddenly on highway with no power and no warning lights; Vehicle will not shift into drive or reverse; stuck in park and neutral only; No warning indicators illuminated before failure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported diagnostic fee of $150; repair estimate cited $8,000 for transmission replacement. One owner had transmission replaced; failure later recurred. One owner stranded at 83,000 miles needing replacement.
Shift cable breakage
The shift cable that connects the gear selector to the transmission snaps, leaving the vehicle unable to shift into or out of a selected gear. Vehicle can become stuck in reverse or unable to move from park.
When: 127,000 miles; mileage not specified for other incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle cannot shift into reverse or drive; Vehicle stuck in reverse with shift lever unable to return to park; Shift lever disconnected from transmission; Vehicle rolls downhill when expected to remain in park
Repairs/costs cited: Cable replaced by local independent shop. One owner reports this failure happened on two different 2016 Transit Connects; another reports it on two Fusions (which were eventually recalled).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner notes Fusions were eventually recalled for the same issue
Shifter clip failure
The clip that secures the shift cable to the shifter assembly breaks or detaches, preventing the gear selector from communicating movement to the transmission.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shift moves but is not connected to transmission; Vehicle will not move when shift lever is operated
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states vehicle was not included in Recall 20S18 but should have been
Shifter stuck in gear — ignition lock
Shifter cable failure causes the vehicle to be mechanically stuck in a gear (reported as stuck in drive), triggering the ignition interlock that prevents engine start.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter cable broken; Vehicle stuck in gear; Engine will not start; ignition system reports vehicle is in drive when it is not
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Going down highway at 70 mph, no power all of a sudden. No warning. Made it to the side, stranded. Transmission needs to be replaced, 83000 miles
Purchased certified with 15,478 and current highway miles 63,412. Transmission exhibited symptoms of sluggishness and slowing down when driving my father to er for surgery. Most miles are highway miles (mom-open heart surgery; spouse-brain tumor removal and dad-a colostomy). My spouse indicated the transmission bogged down slowly from 70, 60, 55mph down to 0 MPH with no power to engage in any…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V260000 (Visibility) and 21V376000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue.…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Ford Transit Connect?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 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 13 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 95,683 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/2016/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.