Transmission failure in my 2.0L Ford Transit Connect at approximately 94,000 miles. When I shift into reverse, the van sometimes drives forward instead of backing up — as if the transmission is confused or stuck in the wrong gear. Over time, reverse completely stopped working altogether. Additionally, after coming to a full stop (such as at a red light), the van occasionally stalls or becomes unresponsive when pressing the gas pedal. This creates dangerous situations in traffic. All recommended maintenance has been done on time, including a full transmission flush performed by a Ford dealer at around 80,000 miles. There were no warning lights or error messages before the issue began. After researching, I found many other Transit Connect owners with the same problem, especially in models with the 2.0L engine. This points to a potential defect in the transmission system. A full transmission replacement may be necessary, and I believe Ford should issue a recall to address this recurring failure.
2020 Ford Transit Connect transmission problems
10 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 31%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Transit Connect transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford Transit Connect transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V‑636. 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.
- Risk
- An engine that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S32.
Recall number 25V196000 · Recall details
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 21V376000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
Recall number 20V550000 · Recall details
What 2020 Ford Transit Connect owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 8F35 transmission failed at 95,000 miles, a new unit was put in and that transmission failed at about 175,000 miles, a new transmission was not put in for replacement, but was rebuilt by Ford and currently I have 185,000 miles and as I slow down the transmission starts to jerk and I am slammed forward in my seat. This transmission does this everyday, without fail. Just a matter of time before this transmission fails.This transmission is acting like the last 2 transmissions that failed.
2020 Ford Transit Connect with 80,000 miles. Wrench light came on dashboard and car experiences some shuddering and hesitation when going uphill.Warranty expired at 60K miles Dealer says that it is a power train issue and the transmission needs to be fully replaced. There was never any type of warning that the transmission. I did have a code for a EGR valve, which was replaced. Requested Ford Goodwill assistance to pay for this expensive repair but was denied and need to replace at full cost. Vehicle has been serviced every 5,000 miles at dealership. Supposedly transmission doesn't ever need servicing. There is no dipstick to check and when I asked when it needed fluid changed, I was told it didn't. Obviously that isn't true.
Powertrain fault Transmission torque converter clutch is not operating as expected. Transmission not shifting properly. Fixed many times and still same issue, now it needs new transmission.
Bad Torque Converter - There seems to be a systemic problem with this part on Ford Transits. Ford is not standing behind their parts so we need your help please.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the transmission was shifting very rough. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall regarding the failure. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH, the message "Pro-Collision Assistant is Unable" was displayed. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed and the contact continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred on four different occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit Connect. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and an appointment was scheduled for the recall repair. The contact arrived for the appointment but was informed that the appointment was canceled. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle back once he experienced the failure stated in the recall. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Three summers in a row now the transmission "overheats" causing warning lights and errors to pop up while driving, then going away. Sometimes disabling vehicle power altogether. When control does come back, transmission gear changes happen at the wrong rpm , stuttering the vehicle and making erratic driving behavior. Ford ignored my requests to investigate for two years, and now that it's out of warranty, tell me I need to pay them to install a brand new transmission
Transmission failed with only 17,000 miles (mostly highway) on the car. The car did not move forward from a parked location. It only moved in reverse. It had to be towed to the nearest dealership and when they examined it, it did not move in reverse either. Even though it is under warranty, the dealers are taking a long time to repair the car.
Questions about the 2020 Ford Transit Connect transmission
Does the 2020 Ford Transit Connect have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 Ford Transit Connect, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Transit Connect transmission problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Transit Connect transmission?
Yes, 4 recalls: 25V196000, 22V413000, 21V376000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Transit Connect have bad transmission?
The Ford Transit Connect model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (24 complaints), 2016 (13 complaints) and 2014 (12 complaints).
Other 2020 Ford Transit Connect problems
Brakes 6Driver assistance 5Visibility 5Acceleration 2Engine 2Airbags 1Electrical 1Fuel system 1Steering 1
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