This article supersedes TSB 24-2092 to update model years. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Transmission slipping Harsh Engagements Clutch DTCs This may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Ford Transit Connect powertrain problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 24 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 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
Of the 10 model years of Ford Transit Connect we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
Powertrain accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
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 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 ↗This article supersedes TSB 22-2281 to update the Part List. Some 2019-2021 Transit Connect vehicles built on or before 20-Dec-2021 and equipped with the 8F35 transmission may exhibit transmission slipping concerns, harsh engagements and various clutch diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Some vehicles may also have torque converter clutch DTCs. This may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2019-2021 Transit Connect vehicles built on or before 20-Dec-2021 and equipped with the 8F35 transmission may exhibit transmission slipping concerns, harsh engagements and various clutch diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Some vehicles may also have torque converter clutch DTCs. This may be due to worn needle bearings in the output planet carrier assembly. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to overhaul the transmission and replace the planetary gearset.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2018-2022 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission built on or before 16-Mar-2022 may exhibit transmission slip during acceleration from a stop when hot. This may be due damaged internal case half pump seals (7N265). To correct the condition, remove the transmission and replace the internal case half pump seals. 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 2019 Transit Connect transmission shows a clear failure pattern. Owners describe transmission failure as sudden and catastrophic—the vehicle stops responding at traffic lights or during normal driving, acting as if stuck in park, with no warning lights beforehand. Repeated key-off/key-on cycles sometimes restore temporary function. The failure window clusters around 80,000–91,000 miles, though one owner experienced it first at 50,000–58,000 miles and again 30,000 miles later after warranty replacement.
Preceding the complete failures, owners report erratic shifting: hard upshifts and downshifts, random slipping in mid-range gears, and refusal to engage reverse without cycling through park. One owner noted high RPM fluctuations during shifting with no check-engine light. Ford has published TSB 22-2281 describing repair procedures and issued recalls 21V376000 and 22V413000, though the latter primarily covers 2.5L engines, leaving 2.0L owners outside coverage despite reporting identical symptoms.
Transmission replacement costs $8,000–$8,300. The transmission is sealed with no owner-accessible dipstick for fluid level checks. One documented case of transmission replacement at 149,000 miles was refused by Ford. Ford's response to out-of-warranty claims cites the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty limit, despite owners noting these vehicles have 28,900–31,000 additional miles at failure.
Same Ford Transit Connect powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Complete transmission failure / inability to shift
Transmission loses all ability to engage gears or selectively fails to engage specific gears (forward, reverse, or ranges like 3rd gear). Vehicle either locks in limp mode, becomes stuck in park-like state, or refuses to move in any direction without repeated key-off/key-on resets. Some owners report the vehicle becomes completely undriveable.
When: 80,000–91,000 miles; one owner reports first failure at 50,000–58,000 miles, then recurrence 30,000 miles later after warranty replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stops responding at traffic lights or during normal driving; Vehicle acts as if stuck in park despite selector input; No forward or reverse engagement; Repeated key-off/key-on cycles temporarily restore function; Limp mode activation; No warning lights or check-engine codes before failure in most cases
Codes mentioned: P0772 (Shift Solenoid E Stuck On), Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor DTC
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; repair costs reported at $8,000–$8,300. One owner reports transmission replaced under warranty at 50,000–58,000 miles, then again needed at ~80,000 miles after warranty expired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford initially denies warranty coverage beyond 5 years/60,000 miles. TSB 22-2281 exists and describes repair procedures. NHTSA recall 21V376000 and 22V413000 exist but do not fully cover 2.0L engine models (recall primarily references 2.5L engine). Parts unavailability for recall repairs reported. Ford has refused repairs citing warranty expiration and engine-size mismatches with existing recalls.
Erratic shifting, harsh engagements, and gear slipping
Transmission exhibits unpredictable shift behavior including hard upshifts and downshifts, random slipping in mid-range gears (3rd, 4th, 5th), and difficulty engaging lower gears or reverse. Owners describe safety concerns from harsh downshifting during cornering and intersection approaches.
When: 50,000–84,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, jerky upshift and downshift engagements; Loss of power during acceleration; Random slipping in gears 3, 4, or 5; Difficulty or refusal to engage reverse gear initially (engages after park-to-reverse cycle); Harsh downshift while cornering or approaching intersections; Vehicle jerks when accelerating; High RPM fluctuations during shifting
Codes mentioned: P0772 (Shift Solenoid E Stuck On), No DTC codes for slipping or harsh engagements in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs have included torque converter overhaul and seal-and-reassemble; hydraulic control unit replacement; transmission replacement in cases of complete failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 22-2281 published by Ford describing repair procedures. No public admission of defect. Owners point to existence of TSB as indirect Ford acknowledgment of problem. Warranty denials common beyond 5 years/60,000 miles.
Transmission fluid leakage with sealed unit design
Sealed transmission design prevents owner fluid checks or maintenance. Transmission fluid leaks reported, causing internal components to overheat and fail (clutches worn to metal, internal corrosion).
When: 77,000 miles; one failure at 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leak from sealed unit; Internal component overheating due to fluid loss; Clutches worn to metal; Planetary gear damage; Solenoid shifting failure; Poor fuel economy prior to failure; Stuck in 8th gear with no engagement in other gears
Codes mentioned: No check-engine light reported at time of failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; cost $8,300 at 77,000 miles. Sealed transmission design prevents preventative fluid maintenance by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford refused repair on repeated failure at 149,000 miles after 8F35 transmission had already been replaced. Cited lot capacity issues.
Torque converter and planetary assembly failure
Torque converter pump and forward planetary assembly bushings fail, causing jerking acceleration, power loss, and backing-up hesitation.
When: Not specified; one owner had overhaul and another experienced complete failure requiring transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking during acceleration; Loss of power; Hesitation when backing up; Damaged torque converter pump; Damaged forward planetary assembly bushings
Repairs/costs cited: Overhaul of torque converter with reseal and reassembly performed on one vehicle; other cases required full transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford refused to honor repair of torque converter in at least one case. No warranty assistance beyond 5 years/60,000 miles.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Transmission failure at 80,000 miles. This a known issue with 8F35 transmissions in these model years. Left me stranded and in danger on the roadway. The transmission has other recalls, and a TSB from Ford acknowledging the issues without recall for known failures. There were no lamps, indicators, or codes before failure.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for…
Transmission shutter goes in and out of gear I’ve seen lots of people have this problem and no recall yet
Good evening, I wanted to bring to your attention an ongoing issue I've experienced with two 2019 Transit Connect vehicles that I purchased together. Both vehicles have encountered a transmission problem when shifting into reverse; initially, they would not move, but after shifting to park and then back to reverse, they would engage. I visited the dealership where I bought both vehicles, and…
The transmission needs replaced at 88,900 miles on a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. I have reached out to Ford and they will NOT do anything except to tell me I should have it repaired/replaced at a Ford authorized dealer so that the parts are under warranty. I use this compact cargo van for my business and am being for to put unnecessary wear and tear and miles on my personal vehicle for work. The…
Damaged torque converter pump and foreward planetary assy bushings. Jerks when accelerating, loses power, hesitates backing up. Overhaul of torque converter, reseal and reassemble. Hydraulic control unit not working properly and break on left front does not release and overheats. Replaced hydraulic control unit. Airbox loose and damaged. Rattling. Replaced airbox.
Transmission had high RPM's intermittently shifting out of lower gears and experienced poor gas mileage prior to complete failure. complete failure occurred at a complete stop and would not go in any gear but 8th gear. no check engine light at failure. $8300 to replace transmission at 77k miles. transmission fluid cannot be checked or maintained by owner.
2019 Ford transit connect 2.0l 8 spd auto transmission. 84,000 miles. Transmission exhibiting difficulty shifting in lower gears. Van was working fine, then all at once the transmission stopped working at a walmart. Transmission acted like it was in park, I turned off key and turned back on and the van would drive again. When I pulled in front of my driveway the van would not go in reverse nor…
Transmission locks up on road, bringing van to a stop. At 80,000 miles the transmission went out. Ford replaced whole transmission with extended warranty. At 149,000 miles transmission went out again. Same thing, Planitary gear broke, silonoid for shifting had to be relaced, clutches worn to metal. Ford refused to fix it. Too many cars on lot to fix.
We have had to purchase and replace the transmission in our 2019 Transit Connect. The shifter began experiencing issues with moving into the intended gear and eventually caused the transmission needing replacement. I am aware of NHTSA safety recall 22V413, however, the recall makes no reference of the transmission itself needing to be replaced. We are seeking compensation for replacement of a…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Ford Transit Connect?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 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 24 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 77,700 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/2019/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.