FordTransit Connect2011Overview/ford/transit-connect/2011/base/

2011 Ford Transit Connect

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Transit Connect.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2011 Ford Transit Connect is a van that relies on a 4.5‑qt engine oil capacity with a 5W‑20 API viscosity rating, paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 21/25/22 mpg. Its early reliability record shows a total of 24 owner complaints, the most frequent concerning visibility and wiper systems, and it was subject to one recall. Compared with the broader 2011‑2021 complaint history — where the peak reached 127 complaints in 2014 and the trough fell to just eight in 2021 — the 2011 model year occupies the lower‑end of the spectrum, indicating comparatively fewer issues in its introductory year.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162011

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 torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/25/22 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 / combined21 / 25 / 22 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.

8.7–12.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2014 XLT EcoBoost LWB 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 100 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 Nuts100 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
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)57-60
RPM57-60 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29-39 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm

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 at 105,000 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.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
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) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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.

In 2011 the model recorded 24 complaints, one recall and 16 technical service bulletins, placing it at the low‑end of the complaint spectrum for the Transit Connect line. The following year complaints rose to 26 and recalls stayed at one, while 2013 saw complaints climb to 32 and recalls jump to four, indicating a modest upward trend in reported issues after the debut year. By 2014 complaints surged to 127 with 15 recalls and two investigations, showing that the early‑model year experienced fewer regulatory actions than later model years. The 2011 model also reported zero crash‑related or fire‑related complaints, reinforcing its relatively clean safety record in the dataset. Given the lower complaint and recall counts compared with subsequent years, the 2011 Transit Connect represents a solid purchase option, though buyers should verify service history.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
16
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper6
Power Train2
Service Brakes2
Electrical System,Engine2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Traction Control System2
Power Train,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V374000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/WasherReported 02/08/2012

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2012. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 16 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
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…

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 2011 Transit Connect take?

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

Does the 2011 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 21 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.