Purchased Transit Connect in 2014 off of 3 year lease from Ford Dealer. Car had 53,000 mileson it. On First major trip over Mountain Pass, Shift downs were very severe. Took auto to Ford Dealer, cancelled trip, 1st Dealer unable to look at car for more then 6 days? Took to better Dealer in Oakdale after Limping it 80 miles home. They reprogrammed shifting, but it did the same very hard down shifts , afraid of breaking engine mounts or transmission.

Took back to Dealer, no difference. Was always worried about transmission after that. Drove car less harsh , for 3 years, then noted funny up shifting. after several days, noted smell and perceived slippage in 4th. Drove with OD locked out. a couple days later, slipping in 3rd and 4th could go no faster then 40 mph. engine lights, codes appeared, took to Transmission shop. Transmission replaced. Not Under Warranty, but later, have noticed many, many, 2010 to 2013 Transit connects in Used car lots, wondered why?

wont shift out of low

My brother and I purchased 6 transit vans between 2010 and 2011. 3 had bad transmission after extended warranty coverage. 1 was totaled do to relatively minor damage from being rear ended. 1 actually still runs after ext warranty. expired holding my breath waiting for the forth transmission. Last one was diagnosed with internal engine failure~ not covered even though I purchased the Ford Premium care extended warranty for $1999. would not recommend this vehicle

Update from Dec 16, 2015: Ford repaired engine issues under warranty after numerous calls and emails~ approx 7 weeks to pick up van.