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2012 Ford Transit Connect: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2012 Transit Connect has 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and one recall, for wiper arms[2]. Engine trouble is the biggest complaint group[3], and the van earned 2 stars overall in NHTSA crash ratings[4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 26 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, one a fire and one an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine[3] | 6 |
| Visibility[7] | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper[8] | 4 |
| Electrical system[9] | 4 |
| Electronic stability control[10] | 2 |
| Seat belts[11] | 2 |
| Seats[12] | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[13] | 2 |
The counts are small, so none of these is a proven pattern. Here is what owners describe in the small sample of complaint texts we read.
- Engine. In 5 of 6 texts, owners describe losing power or struggling to accelerate, often with the check engine light on[3]. Four of them point to the throttle body[3]. The engine group has a median mileage at failure of 37,272[3].
- Wipers. In 3 of the 9 visibility and wiper texts we read, owners say the wipers stopped working or did not clear the windshield[7][8]. Two of them link it to recall 12V374[2]. One says the problem came back after a repair[8]. They link it to recall 12V374[2]. One says the problem came back after a repair[8].
- Rear window glass. In 2 of 5 visibility texts, owners say the rear window cracked or broke when the rear defroster was turned on[7].
- Electrical system. The sample is mixed. One owner describes smoke and fire from the dashboard area, and another describes a fuel tank leak they blame on exhaust heat[9]. NHTSA counts 1 fire among the electrical complaints[9].
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[5].
- Wiper arms (12V374). Announced August 2, 2012, and covering 16,330 vans[2]. Some wiper arms may not be riveted well enough. That can cause the wipers to clear the glass poorly or the arm to come off. If it comes off, the wiper fails and the driver sees less of the road, which raises the risk of a crash. Ford said dealers would replace the driver and passenger wiper arm and blade assemblies free of charge. The recall began August 15, 2012[2].
Two owners in the complaint sample mention this recall by number. One says the failure returned after a repair. The other says the dealer and Ford told them the van was not under recall[7][8]. Ask a dealer to check the van's VIN for this recall and for proof that the work was done.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates both body styles with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive and regular fuel[6][14].
| Body style | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect Van[6] | 21 | 27 | 23 |
| Transit Connect Wagon FWD[14] | 22 | 26 | 23 |
The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,900 for both[6][14]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the van was new[6][14].
Safety ratings
NHTSA rated the van FWD at 2 stars overall[4]. Frontal crash got 3 stars, side crash 2 stars and rollover 3 stars[4]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 25.6%[4]. We have ratings for the van only, not the wagon.
Engine and size
The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated at 136 hp on the EPA test car list[15].
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 42 | 2 |
| 2011 | 24 | 1 |
| 2012 | 26 | 1 |
| 2013 | 32 | 4 |
| 2014 | 127 | 15 |
| 2015 | 66 | 11 |
| 2016 | 104 | 10 |
| 2017 | 28 | 6 |
| 2018 | 22 | 6 |
| 2019 | 51 | 8 |
| 2020 | 32 | 8 |
| 2021 | 11 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA data for the Transit Connect covers model years 2010 through 2023[5]. The 2012 van has 26 complaints and 1 recall[5].
- Five years have fewer complaints: 2011 (24), 2018 (22), 2021 (11), 2022 (6) and 2023 (1)[5].
- Eight years have more: 2010 (42), 2013 (32), 2014 (127), 2015 (66), 2016 (104), 2017 (28), 2019 (51) and 2020 (32)[5].
- For recalls, 2011 and 2022 also have 1, 2023 has none, and every other year has more[5].
So 2012 sits in the lower half for complaints and near the bottom for recalls. These counts are not adjusted for sales or time on the road, so treat them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2012 Transit Connect?
The record is fairly light. There are 26 complaints and one recall with a free fix[1][2]. The weak spots are the engine group, where owners in our sample describe power loss, and the 2-star overall crash rating[3][4]. Before buying, confirm the wiper recall was done and ask about any history of engine warning lights. Fuel economy of 23 combined MPG is the same for van and wagon[6][14].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Transit Connect?
- Engine is the largest complaint group with 6 of 26 complaints, followed by visibility with 5[1][3][7]. In the sample we read, owners describe power loss and wiper trouble[3][8].
- Has the 2012 Ford Transit Connect been recalled?
- Yes. Recall 12V374 covers wiper arms that may not be riveted well. Dealers replace the wiper arm and blade assemblies free of charge[2].
- How many miles per gallon does a 2012 Transit Connect get?
- The EPA rates the van at 21 city, 27 highway and 23 combined MPG[6]. The wagon is 22 city, 26 highway and 23 combined[6][14].
- How safe is the 2012 Ford Transit Connect?
- NHTSA gave the van FWD 2 stars overall, with 3 stars for frontal crash, 2 for side and 3 for rollover[4].
- Is 2012 a good year for the Transit Connect?
- By complaint and recall counts, 2012 (26 complaints, 1 recall) is in the lower half of model years, but the counts are not adjusted for sales[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Transit Connect (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 12V374, filed August 2, 2012: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer. NHTSA recall database
- 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,272). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 2 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 2 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Transit Connect model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Transit Connect Van, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 5 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Transit Connect Wagon FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Transit Connect with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 136 hp. www.epa.gov