2020 Ford Transit Connect: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Ford Transit Connect: 8 recalls, 32 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V550000 · 2020 · 97 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing or loose bolts.
Why it matters: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and May progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source May increase the risk of fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020.
Transmission & drivetrain, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #20V636000 · 2020 · 2,903 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This May delay the fail-safe cooling strategy in the event of coolant loss and result in engine overheating.
Why it matters: If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #20V791000 · 2020 · 12 vehicles
What's wrong: Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #21V376000 · 2021 · 192,080 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission May degrade or detach.
Why it matters: A damaged or missing bushing May prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle May roll after the driver selects the 'park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing, and add a protective cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #22V192000 · 2022 · 39,720 vehicles
What's wrong: The front windshield May have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.
Why it matters: During a crash, the windshield May detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2022.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V413000 · 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles
What's wrong: The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission May degrade or detach.
Why it matters: A damaged or missing bushing May prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle May roll after the driver selects the 'park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th quarter 2022. Owner…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #25V196000 · 2025 · 152 vehicles
What's wrong: The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This May delay engine cooling and result in engine overheating.
Why it matters: An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V442000 · 2025 · 200,237 vehicles
What's wrong: A software error May cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image May remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Why it matters: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse May distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (2).
- Other / unknown (5): the most common themes are leaks (2), fire / smoke (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (4): the most common themes are leaks (3).
- Brakes (4): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2020 Ford Transit Connect has 32 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Transit Connect model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 41). Complaints peaked in 2025 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 17,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (51 complaints, 8 recalls), 2021 (9 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 27 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 27 | 25 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Ford Transit Connect.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Ford Transit Connect. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (10), other / unknown (5), visibility (wipers, glass) (4).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Ford Transit Connect repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.