Another Transit Connect bites the dust

[dishdude]

I made the mistake of ordering 10-12 (would need to look up the exact number) Transit Connects between 2019-2022 for the fleet at work. So far none have made it to 100k without major powertrain failure.

Transmissions seem to be the weakest point regularly failing between 80-90k. I've already sent 2 off to auction for bad transmissions before 100k, a third for a bad head gasket that the dealer would only put a complete engine in claiming from experience the head and/or block were warped. All 3 had quotes for repair at $9k.

The fourth I actually authorized transmission replacement for at 90k (didn't have a spare truck at the time) just to have it fail again at 101k, it's been in the shop since July.

The fifth died this morning, my driver took it to a national transmission shop that was very responsive and provided a quote in line with the others. Spoke with the service manager on the phone and was impressed with his knowledge and honesty. However, this Connect will be going to the auction, it's just not worth investing $9k into.

I have a 2019 I'm storing at my house with only 51k on it, shifts like crap but it's good for Home Depot runs! A real shame, they are nicely equipped and drive decent which is what sucked me in...along with being $5k less than a full size Transit. BTW, the full size Transits have held up much better, but I had to send one off to auction early for an odd problem where it would die in the rain and multiple trips to multiple dealers couldn't solve the issue. I did one transmission in a full size Transit but it was at 130k - have several others at 200k with no powertrain issues.

We have since switched to GM and my last purchase was four 2025 Canyons, I am confident they'll hold up better.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Have you driven a Ford lately?

Too bad you didn't get any NV vans when they still made them. They're probably the most reliable/best of the big vans.

 

[dishdude]

Have you driven a Ford lately?

Too bad you didn't get any NV vans when they still made them. They're probably the most reliable/best of the big vans.

The GM vans are hands down the most reliable full size vans out there. The E-Series were really good too, you'd have a couple front end components around 100k and they'd usually eject a plug sometime before 150k but otherwise solid. The full size Transits aren't too bad either, but the E-Series was better.

 

[CDX825]

Its a shame they didn't put a better drivetrain in theses things.

 

[clinebarger]

The GM vans are hands down the most reliable full size vans out there. The E-Series were really good too, you'd have a couple front end components around 100k and they'd usually eject a plug sometime before 150k but otherwise solid. The full size Transits aren't too bad either, but the E-Series was better.

To bad they dropped 1500 Express/Savana vans. Canyons use a 8L45E which have a sorted past

 

[dishdude]

To bad they dropped 1500 Express/Savana vans. Canyons use a 8L45E which have a sorted past

Yep, 2500/3500 is OVERKILL for my division so I went with the Canyons. My guys do mostly IT stuff, just need some tools and space for other minor stuff.

 

[Egg_Head]

What was your maintenance regimen for servicing the transmissions?

 

[SC Maintenance]

What’s the use case on these? Weight carried? Lots of start/ stop or?

That’s a pretty terrible record.

 

[Pablo]

Yes different AT than my Transit 350 which seems to have a decent record. 2025 model same as 2024 pretty sure not sure how far back though.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The GM vans are hands down the most reliable full size vans out there. The E-Series were really good too, you'd have a couple front end components around 100k and they'd usually eject a plug sometime before 150k but otherwise solid. The full size Transits aren't too bad either, but the E-Series was better.

The biggest issue with the full size transits is they WILL NOT move in the snow. Doesn't matter if it's the AWD model and you have snow tires on it. They just get stuck.

Meanwhile a 2wd express or Econoline has no issue driving through snow up to the headlights.

 

[Pablo]

The biggest issue with the full size transits is they WILL NOT move in the snow. Doesn't matter if it's the AWD model and you have snow tires on it. They just get stuck.

Meanwhile a 2wd express or Econoline has no issue driving through snow up to the headlights.

Why is this?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Why is this?

My guesses are chassis rigidity or ground clearance. Transits being unibody are pretty rigid and break traction too easily whereas the full frame express and econolines could flex a bit and maintain traction. As for ground clearance, express, Econolines (even the 150) had WAY more ground clearance than the current transits .. Transits go beached whale mode too easily.

 

[cptbarkey]

Why has it still been in the shop since July?

What led you to purchase so many Transit Connects?

 

[Pablo]

My guesses are chassis rigidity or ground clearance. Transits being unibody are pretty rigid and break traction too easily whereas the full frame express and econolines could flex a bit and maintain traction. As for ground clearance, express, Econolines (even the 150) had WAY more ground clearance than the current transits .. Transits go beached whale mode too easily.

Certainly not off road vehicles!

I was thinking 2-3 inches on a road surface

 

[zzyzzx]

The fourth I actually authorized transmission replacement for at 90k (didn't have a spare truck at the time) just to have it fail again at 101k, it's been in the shop since July.

Exactly whom remanufactured this transmission?
Are you sure that you actually got a remanufactured transmission or they charged you for a reman and gave you a used or did a repair?

 

[Chris142]

Yep, 2500/3500 is OVERKILL for my division so I went with the Canyons. My guys do mostly IT stuff, just need some tools and space for other minor stuff.

Would you rather have too much van that always starts and gets to the destination or have to auction off junk and lose your arse in value at auction time?

 

[dbias]

I had a 2012 transit connect that had 220,000 miles on it when I sold it this summer. It started shifting funny under warranty and the fixed it the same day. I liked the high roof on those models and I used it to transport materials in boxes filled to the top almost every day. I changed the transmission fluid every 40k or so and oil every 10k and it never burned oil at all. Honestly one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned. Picture from some time last year

 

[nascarnation]

There's nothing like a fleet to provide data on how good (or bad) your stuff is.
I wonder if these all have a common failure point.
Sometimes the engineering fix is not that difficult or expensive.
I remember when we had big trouble in NYC Sanitation trucks but all it took was changing the dimensions on a snap ring groove, basically a no cost fix.

 

[Nick1994]

What’s the purchase price budget for vehicles?

 

[Kurtatron]

I had a 2012 transit connect that had 220,000 miles on it when I sold it this summer. It started shifting funny under warranty and the fixed it the same day. I liked the high roof on those models and I used it to transport materials in boxes filled to the top almost every day. I changed the transmission fluid every 40k or so and oil every 10k and it never burned oil at all. Honestly one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned. Picture from some time last year View attachment 306560

I too like the low profile but tall roof on these. Seem like great European utility vehicles. Glad yours worked out.

Do these have the dreaded power shift transmissions?