AI Damage2017 Ford Transit Connect: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Ford Transit Connect filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and visibility. The maker issued 61 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 61
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 29% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 6 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Backover prevention: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS and the hydraulic control unit (HCU) had failed, which caused the brakes failure. The mechanic replaced the ABS module and the hydraulic control unit (HCU).
The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen with the message "Camera Unavailable. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired.
Occasionally, the screen went black while displaying an image. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact stated that while reversing with the rearview camera engaged, the screen became blurry or blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted.
While driving my 2017 Ford Transit Connect at highway speed the panoramic sun roof and attached sun shade completely separated from the vehicle flew into the air and landed in the lanes of travel the vehicle behind me was nearly struck.
The contact stated that there was a windy sound coming from the sunroof of the vehicle. The sound had been progressing as if there was a fracture or separation between the sunroof and the roof sub frame. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V260000 (Visibility) however, the VIN was not included.
Transmission keeps slipping and failing to accelerate. Feels like my van is running over rumble strips and slows the speed down. This continues to happen at many different speeds. Sometimes often and sometimes intermittently.
On Friday the 22nd of April I was on the interstate and the vehicle began to slow down and make a scrubbing/grinding noise. I took the exit and by the time I reached the crossroad the vehicle would barely move. The brakes were almost completely locked. There was no warning and no diagnostic light was on.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 47% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Transit Connect has 28 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 28, about average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
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NHTSA lists 61 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Transit Connect?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (18%), infotainment or screen glitches (11%), loss of power / limp mode (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect?
NHTSA lists 61 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Ford Transit Connect from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.