2019 Ford Transit Connect
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Van |
| Base Price | $26,205–$33,817 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2019 Ford Transit Connect at 6.4/10 overall, which translates to a Fair rating for this van. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.3/10, while Performance at 5.4/10 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 7.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.4/10 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 5.9/10 — 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 $26,205–$33,817, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Transit Connect sits in the mid-market bracket of the van segment. The value score of 6.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 7 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 2019 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 2019 Ford Transit Connect ranks #4 of 21 vans in the Carivo database — better than 86% of the segment. Its 6.4/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 6.2/10. Its $26,205 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $29,905 by about 12%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Van ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Ford Transit Connect scores 6.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 6.4 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 6.4/10 | $26,205 | |
| 2018 | 6.3/10 | $25,280 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.2/10 | $24,355 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.2/10 | $23,430 | Read review → |
| 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.
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 17/12/2020 · 20V791000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system 15/10/2020 · 20V636000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay the… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission 10/09/2020 · 20V550000 | 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. |
| 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. |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Gear position indication (prndl) 10/06/2022 · 22V413000 | 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. |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2019 Ford Transit Connect's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
8 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.4/10 overall, ranking #4 of 21 vans in our database (better than 86% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2019 Ford Transit Connect starts at $26,205 and ranges up to $33,817 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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.