FordTransit Connect2010Overview/ford/transit-connect/2010/base/

2010 Ford Transit Connect

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Transit Connect.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Defined by its van configuration and an automatic 4-speed transmission, the 2010 Ford Transit Connect runs an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil to deliver an EPA-estimated 22 city, 25 highway, and 23 combined mpg. The vehicle accrued 42 total owner complaints—led primarily by the electrical system—alongside a single recall. Viewed against the model's broader 2011–2021 complaint history, this places the 2010 model well beneath the 127-complaint peak of 2014, indicating a relatively stable entry in the vehicle's overall reliability trajectory.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque66 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/25/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height79.1 in
Wheelbase115 in
Curb weight3360 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 25 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Transit Connect of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.1–12.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.10 sec — 2010 XLT Cargo Van
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010XLT Cargo Van 2.0L I-411.10 sec18.30 sec136 hpFWD
2010XLT Wagon (Passenger) 2.0L I-412.10 sec18.70 sec136 hpFWD
2014XLT EcoBoost LWB Cargo Van 1.6L Turbo I-48.70 sec16.50 sec178 hpFWD
2014Titanium LWB Wagon (Passenger) 2.5L I-410.00 sec17.50 sec169 hpFWD
2014Titanium LWB Wagon (Passenger) 2.5L I-410.20 sec17.60 sec169 hpFWD
2017Titanium LWB Wagon (Passenger) 2.5L I-410.10 sec17.60 sec169 hpFWD
2019Titanium LWB Wagon (Passenger) 2.0L I-410.50 sec17.80 sec162 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 66 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts66 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub207 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub251 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.85 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.09 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17.4-21.7 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29-39 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle98 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.078; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.062

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts to finger tight. Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 100 ft. lbs., step 3: 90 degrees.74 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9037 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3535 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 604 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect sits immediately before the earliest entry in the provided year-by-year federal record, which begins in 2011 with 24 complaints and 1 recall and escalates sharply to a generational peak of 127 complaints and 15 recalls by 2014, with elevated activity continuing through 2016. For 2010 specifically, the data records four crash-related complaints and one fire-related complaint, while the highest-volume complaint areas are Electrical System and Visibility/Wiper (five each), Power Train (four), and Structure (three); total complaints, recalls, and investigations for 2010 are not included in the year-by-year record, so direct volume comparisons to subsequent years cannot be made. Because the documented generational arc shows the lowest federal activity at the start of the record and the most intensive levels in the mid-cycle years, 2010’s position ahead of that escalation implies it largely predates the generation’s most intensive complaint and recall activity. Consequently, the 2010 model appears to be a relatively sound choice within this generation, though buyers should confirm its complete recall history independently.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
42
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 42 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5
Visibility/Wiper5
Power Train4
Structure3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Exterior Lighting3
Power Train,Service Brakes,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
448632015-07-01VisibilityFORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Transit Connect. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Transit Connect take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Transit Connect have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Transit Connect get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 25 highway / 23 combined mpg.