2013 Ford Transit Connect

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Ford Transit Connect
Pictured: Ford Transit Connect (3rd generation) IMG 3395. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Transit-Connect Electric, Transit-Connect Wagon Xlt/Xlt Premium, Transit-Connect Xlt Cargo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 22 city / 27 hwy
Length
181.1 in
Curb weight
3,391–3,984 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2013 special purpose vehicle (19.7 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Ford Transit Connect is a special purpose vehicle offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 181 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,984 lb (Transit-Connect Electric).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (22 city / 27 highway), 17% better than the 2013 special purpose vehicle average of 19.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Transit Connect — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Transit Connect →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Transit-Connect Electric181.1 in70.9 in79.1 in115 in59.1 / 61.4 in3,984 lb55/45
Transit-Connect Wagon Xlt/Xlt Premium181.1 in70.9 in79.1 in115 in59.1 / 61.4 in3,503 lb55/45
Transit-Connect Xlt Cargo181.1 in70.9 in79.1 in115 in59.1 / 61.4 in3,391 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Transit Connect Van2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 23+17%$2,900386
Transit Connect Wagon FWD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 26 / 23+17%$2,900378
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.7 MPG2013 Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect.

Recalls (4)

Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod · Jun 10, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod · May 24, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V376000 · 192,080 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Mar 27, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V209000 · 208,584 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Risk
If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Nov 5, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V706000 · 34 vehicles

Problem
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk
If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Fix
Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Ford Transit Connect is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

25Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
42,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train7
Engine5
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Structure › Body3
Exterior Lighting2
Electrical System2
Structure1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 115/09: 115/10: 116/01: 216/10: 117/08: 118/01: 118/03: 118/10: 119/01: 119/04: 119/05: 119/07: 119/09: 120/05: 120/08: 120/09: 222/04: 122/06: 122/07: 223/06: 124/03: 115/0116/0118/0119/0119/0720/0822/0624/03max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Ford Transit Connect buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 3 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Transit Connect. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Transit Connect years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 Transit Connect26189.4 inNot rated01
2022 Transit Connect26189.4 inNot rated16
2021 Transit Connect26189.4 in★★★★★412
2020 Transit Connect26189.4 inNot rated832
2019 Transit Connect26189.4 inNot rated851
2018 Transit Connect23189.4 in★★★★★622
2017 Transit Connect23189.4 in★★★★★628
2016 Transit Connect25189.4 in★★★★★10104
2015 Transit Connect25189.4 in★★★★★1166
2014 Transit Connect25189.4 in★★★★★15125
2012 Transit Connect23181.1 inNot rated115
2011 Transit Connect22181.1 inNot rated112

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →