Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 69/100 (GOOD)

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Report

The 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has a good reliability standing and few complaints. Transmission failure is the most serious report.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

1.9per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$775

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,300–$2,700

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity72/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact71/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity74/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Mid-pack among scored years with a good standing, only five owner complaints, and four recalls covering power train, seat belts, and back over prevention.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (3)
SERVICE BRAKES (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2021 is 2 years after the 2019 facelift refresh.

Year 8 in the Second generation (2012) (2014–2023).
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
2nd generation Transit Connect Wagon (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2014: Second generation (2012) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2019: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is 2 years after the 2019 facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon?

Reliability stands at good, and owners have filed only 5 complaints. Among the scored years of this van, 2021 sits in the middle of six. The 2020 model rates about the same but drew 27 complaints and 8 recalls. The 2022 rates better, with 4 complaints and 1 recall. Federal crash testing gave 4 of 5 stars.

Transmission failure is the most serious report. One owner needed a complete replacement at 87,000 miles, past the powertrain warranty's mileage limit. Another saw the service engine soon light and malfunction indicator lamp flash together. The dealer found no fix and pointed to a possible misfire. A third filing is a windshield leak: the glass is missing adhesive along the top, and water has damaged electrical parts. No complaint reports a crash or fire. Four recalls cover the power train (two), seat belts, and back over prevention.

Ask for proof that all four recalls were done, plus any transmission repair history. A 2022 is worth a look if the budget allows.

Compared to the 2022 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, which scored 3 points higher. See also the 2020 Ford Transit Connect Wagon for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Complaint rate in line with Van segment average (early data)
+Well-established generation
+Only 5 complaints reported

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−POWER TRAIN: Transmission failure is the most serious report (3 complaints)

Compare 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon With

2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Chrysler Voyager

Reliability: 74/100

Good

2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van

Reliability: 55/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

4 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

MODERATE

POWER TRAIN (3)
SERVICE BRAKES (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.9

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 1.9

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Recall Details

4 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21V3760002021-05-24

POWER TRAIN

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

21V5920002021-07-30

SEAT BELTS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Transit and 2021 Transit Connect vehicles. The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.

22V4130002022-06-10

POWER TRAIN

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 17.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (None)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Ford Transit Connect WagonRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$775

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Example Repair Prices

National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.

Common repair costs and price estimates
Repair	Estimated Cost
Door Lock Cylinder Replacement	$167 – $210
Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement	$221 – $453
Battery Cable Battery Terminal End Service	$37 – $54
Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement	$137 – $178
Engine Oil Filter Adapter Replacement	$443 – $520
Brake System Inspect	$122 – $179
AC Evaporator Replacement	$935 – $1,334
Clutch Cable Replacement	$310 – $373
Coolant Change	$249 – $278
Variable Valve Timing Control Solenoid Replacement	$533 – $739

Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

22–26 MPG

Running cost: $3,100–$3,500/yr

Fuel + repair

20–24 city / 26–29 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FFV 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	24	29	26	$2,300
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	24	29	26	$2,300
Transit Connect Wagon LWB FWD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	20	26	22	$2,700

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon.

Ask for transmission repair or replacement records, especially on vans approaching 87,000 miles.
Start the engine and confirm the service engine soon and malfunction lamps go out and never flash while driving.
Have a shop scan for stored misfire and transmission codes before you buy.
Inspect the top edge of the windshield for missing adhesive or gaps along the seal.
Check the headliner, pillars, and floor carpet for water stains or dampness after rain or a car wash.
Test every electrical feature, since a leaking windshield has caused electrical damage.

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Common Problems by Component

5 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (3)SERVICE BRAKES (1)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

Transmission failure is the most serious report. In one case the transmission needed a complete replacement at 87,000 miles, past the powertrain warranty's mileage limit. Another filing describes the service engine soon light and malfunction indicator lamp flashing together, a condition the owner's manual warns against driving with. The dealer found no fix and pointed to a possible misfire. A third filing is really a windshield leak: the glass is missing adhesive along the top and water has caused electrical damage. Across only 3 complaints, no repeat pattern is visible. None report a crash or fire.

3 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2026-01-14

Two tires lock up gradually and then completely preventing the vehicle from being driven and causing damage to the other tires. The inability to drive the vehicle on the open road is very dangerous. There are no warning lamps. The vehicle may seem sluggish to accelerate. After towing to a service station, the ABS module failed and this caused damage to the brakes which had to be replaced.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2022-07-02

july2, 2022 Saturday, 4pm 2021 Ford transit connect titanium -Sudden unintended acceleration I was making a very slow (2-3mph) U-turn in an empty, very small strip mall parking lot with the brake being lightly pushed as I went around tight left turn. 3/4 thru the turn the van suddenly accelerated while I believe the brake pedal was still being pushed, I pushed the brake pedal down hard but the van continued to accelerate..it wouldn't slow down. The van jumped the curb and ran into a 4' square cement planter on the sidewalk, sliding the planter about 3 ft. forward. The whole sudden acceleration happened within about 3-5 seconds and was stopped by the cement planter, cutting off the engine. All front airbags were deployed. A few cuts and bruises from the airbags required no medical attention. No citations were issued by the police. The vehicle damage has been estimated at 27,000 and the insurance company is deciding whether to total it or repair it.

Best & Worst Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years

Best Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2023

0Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2022

1Recalls

4Complaints

Good

2021

(Current Model)

4Recalls

5Complaints

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Years to Avoid

No Ford Transit Connect Wagon years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 65 and 78 across 6 scored model years.

See full Ford Transit Connect Wagon years-to-avoid analysis

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Ford Transit Connect Wagon reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	68/100	Good
2019	65/100	Good
2020	67/100	Good
2021	69/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good
2023	78/100	Good

Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2023	78/100	+6	Good	0	0
2022	72/100	+3	Good	1	4
2021(selected)	69/100	+2	Good	4	5
2020	67/100	+2	Good	8	27
2019	65/100	-3	Good	8	46
2018	68/100	—	Good	6	21

2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Common Questions

10 questions from 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon owners.

Charging

My very dead battery is on charger and the parking lights are flashing quickly - why?

VisitorMar 5, 2026

Heater wont turn off

Heater wont turn off/display blank Started today

VisitorMar 5, 2026

Oil on the spark plugs underneath the boot

I went to change my spark plugs and there was oil on them when I removed the boot! 1 no oil 2 a little oil 3 more oil & 4 had about half full?! From left to rightist i First time I looked Started today

VisitorMar 4, 2026

Antifreeze leak

My antifreeze keeps leaking out after buying the car 30 day Antifreeze A few days

VisitorMar 2, 2026

2019 ford Explorer

Rough idle when stopping at light More than a month

VisitorMar 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon reliable?

Yes, it holds a good reliability standing. Owners filed only 5 complaints, which works out to 1.9 per 10,000 sold. Among the scored years of this van, 2021 lands in the middle of six, so it is solid but not the best of the lineup.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?

Power train complaints lead, with 3 of the 5 filings. They include a transmission failure, a flashing service engine soon light with the malfunction indicator lamp, and a windshield leak that damaged electrical parts. With so few filings, no repeat pattern shows.

Does the 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon have transmission problems?

One owner reported transmission failure that required a complete replacement at 87,000 miles, after the powertrain warranty's mileage limit had passed. It is the most serious complaint on file, but it is a single report, not a pattern.

Has the 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon been recalled?

Yes, federal recall records list four recalls. Two involve the power train, one involves seat belts, and one involves back over prevention. Before buying, ask the seller for proof that each recall repair was completed.

Is the 2021 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon better than the 2022 or 2020?

The 2022 rates better, with 4 complaints and 1 recall. The 2020 rates about the same as the 2021 but has 27 complaints and 8 recalls. If prices are close, the 2022 is the stronger choice on record.

Don’t buy a 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Wagon does best on how many systems draw complaints (74/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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