carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Van |
| Base Price | $23,430–$28,931 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Ford Transit Connect at 6.2/10 overall, which translates to a Fair rating for this van. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.1/10, while Performance at 5.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.9/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.1/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $23,430–$28,931, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Transit Connect sits in the budget-friendly tier of the van market. The value score of 6.1/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: Based on our scoring, the 2016 Ford Transit Connect underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Ford Transit Connect ranks #10 of 21 vans in the Carivo database — better than 57% of the segment. Its 6.2/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 6.2/10. Its $23,430 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $29,905 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Van ranking →
Across the Transit Connect model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7.2/10 | $28,640 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 6.5/10 | $29,905 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 6.5/10 | $28,980 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 6.5/10 | $28,055 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 6.4/10 | $27,130 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 6.4/10 | $26,205 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.3/10 | $25,280 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.2/10 | $24,355 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 6.2/10 | $23,430 | |
| 2015 | 6.1/10 | $22,505 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts / Front 27/05/2020 · 20V305000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Transit Connect vehicles. The front driver and/or passenger seat belt pretensioner initiators could contain an improper generant mix ratio that may prevent the seat belt pretensioners from deploying… |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages / Doors / Latch 08/06/2020 · 20V331000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled… |
| Visibility / Sun/moon roof assembly 08/05/2020 · 20V260000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body and may result in wind noise, water… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Gear position indication (prndl) 24/05/2021 · 21V376000 | 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. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 29/06/2016 · 16V482000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through June 16, 2016. The brake Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) pump may be contaminated with metallic debris. As such, these vehicles… |
Showing 5 of 10 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Other vans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Ford models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.