Ford Transit Connect won't start problems

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Brakes · CA

While traveling on the freeway after approximately 45 minutes of driving at 65 mph, the car suddenly felt like it was down shifting causing it to slow substantially. When I tried to accelerate to avoid cars behind me from hitting me, the car prevented me from speeding up for approximately five seconds. RPM is over 5000 b4 it allowed speed up. This happened on two separate occasions,. The car would not start after the second trip and was towed to a Ford dealer for repair. I was told I needed a new alternator and battery and what I experienced on the freeway was the alternator impacting the transmission. I picked up what I thought was a repaired vehicle, traveled to one of the same places I had gone previously and approximately 45 minutes into my drive, the same event took place with the car. Slowing severely and not allowing me to accelerate to return to freeway speed for approximately five seconds. It was taken back for repairs shortly thereafter. I was told it wasn't the transmission. It was a sensor in the brake system that causes the brakes to be applied just enough to create friction that heats up two of the wheels to such a high temp., the brake pads melted onto the rotors. The master cylinder, pads, rotors, sensors all needed replacement. The car is a 2019, purchased new, out of warranty with only 26,000 miles. Ford has offered to pay part of the repairs but expects me to pay the other portion. This car has been well cared for. Nothing I have done while driving it has caused their sensor to create such a dangerous situation on the freeway. It also started happening before it was driven to the dealership by refusing to move for five seconds every time the car came to a stop. I have read other accounts of the same situation happening to people who own the same model and year. This is a dangerous situation created by Ford's faulty equipment. The car is at Ford dealership waiting to be repaired for the 2nd time.

Filed Apr 20, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · NC

1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but were still unable to start, and wanted to replace the fuel pump. I explained that the tank had been filled only about 80 miles before, so there was some issue. Another week later, the dealer informed me that when replacing the fuel pump they had found that the tank had been melted. This was when I was first aware of the issue with the fuel tank.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

While traveling at highway speed the vehicle suddenly and without any warning lost propulsion and died forcing the driver to pull over. As a result of how sudden the failure was the driver was just barely able to find a safe place to pull off the road. The vehicle would not start or run leaving the driver and his passengers stranded in the hot weather. This very easily could have resulted in an accident as the vehicle was going up hill on a mountain road with many curves. After taking the vehicle to the Ford dealership it was determined that the throttle body had failed suddenly and without warning. There were never any service lights that illuminated when the problem occurred. We are reporting so that there is a record in case this becomes a common issue with other vehicles of this type.

Filed Mar 14, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · CA

6-2021: Crackling sound on radio, whether on or off. 2 types: Like bare wires rubbed together, or connecting/disconnecting speaker. ·Crackling persists after vehicle shut off. Eventually stops. 12-2021: ·Radio quit working, crackling sound continued, appears random. ·Observed lights on @ distance. Then off. Vehicle was parked overnight, inactive. 2-2022: ·2-year-old battery died. Dead again in a few days. (Parasitic drain) Mechanic said it needed new radio. New radio was > $600.00, required reconfiguration of dashboard. ·Lost many, not all functions, of SYNC System, & it goes to sleep after a few minutes. Backup camera doesn’t work if SYNC system is asleep. Sometimes revived after pushing SYNC button on steering column. ·Auto electrical mechanic said still a drain on electrical system, but not like before. Rebuilt alternator & refurbished the fuse box too. Said electrical drain was from information control module on dashboard. Said take vehicle to Ford, have them reprogram the module where display screen is located & the drain occurring while vehicle is parked, would stop. ·Ford Technician said they had “no updates” on information control module. Took care of recall & transmission issues, returned the vehicle. oParasitic drain & dead battery continued. 3-2022: ·Battery tests as good but dies in 2 days. Engine quit if jumper cables were removed. Then died before they were removed. Appeared dead, no start even though connected to a good battery via jumper cables. ·Asked dealer to reprogram information control module. ·They gave it back, saying, “It’s acceptable”. oThey disconnected an “aftermarket” module. Went from 64 milliamps to 42 milliamps. Drove 90 minutes & parked. 29 hours later battery died. Dlr. said turn off/disconnect everything BEFORE shutting off vehicle: No automatic lights, heater, phone charger, etc. Apparently this is a body control module (BCM) problem. Not “information control module” problem.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · IN

Shifter cable bushing failure. Car is stuck in gear, won't start because it says it is in drive.

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MD

Vehicle pulled in to park but it thinks it is in reverse, would not start this is the 2nd one of our fleet in 2 days that has the same issue, there must be a recall for this year and this shifter/cable issue, they want to charge us for both of these and I do not feel the same issue a day apart is possible coinsidence.

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · FL

Pulled into a parking space at son's school, turned off the engine. Waited for my son. Then car would not start. Display was saying I was in reverse. But, the shifter was in the park position. I was able to access the interlock override under the shifter, and move the shifter into all gears, but car continued to display reverse position and engine would not start. Tow company came and lifted the hood and noticed immediately the shift cable was completely detached. Had vehicle towed to my ford dealership service department.

Filed Nov 25, 2019 · Fuel system · 26,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford transit connect. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The vehicle was towed to star lake ford (1212 main st, burgess town, pa) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty. The fuel pump was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to kenny ross ford (3200 library rd, castle shannon, pa) where the fuel pump was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided case* numbers:[xxx] and [xxx]). The failure mileage was 26,000. *pm consumer stated 3 times engine stopped running twice engine would not start. Vehicle was towed away 5 times. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'),

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Engine · 35,700 miles · NY

3/19 the temperature gage went hot quickly. Checked coolant, although full in 2/19 now empty. Garage could not find the problem and contacted davidson's ford who advised to install a new radiator and thermostat. In 7/19 transit began to stall after short drive, then engine got so hot it stalled in traffic at a busy intersection and would not start. I kept trying to start it many times. Had to be towed to davidson's ford who did a diagnostic tests and found the coolant boils out of reservoir even when sitting before fans can come on. I believe this could have caused a fire as the engine may crack and leak oil if it overheats. I have already spent $700 on radiator and thermostat and now it looks like they will install a water pump and/or head gasket. This problem is very similar to the recall # 17v209000 - ford recall # 17s09 which includes 2013 transit connect, but my VIN # doesn't come up as I have a smaller engine. Was stuck at the busy intersection for nearly an hour. Police report available and insurance for towing.

Filed Aug 29, 2018 · Engine · 70,112 miles · CA

Under normal driving the vehicle got real hot ,and over heated. The water and oil levels where at the proper levels. The engine head cracked or blew the head gasket . Towed to ford they had to replace the engine. This happened on the highway, going home. The next day the vehicle would not start. There is a safety recall # 17s09, out on these vehicles, but my VIN # was not on the list. Yet lm have the same issue. Luckily we caught it before it got hot enough to catch on fire.