Ford Transit Connect Vans Recalled Because Windshield May Detach
The problem stems from inadequate adhesive material used during assembly
Ford is recalling nearly 40,000 Transit Connect vans from the 2016 and 2020 model years to address a safety problem with the windshield. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the windshield glass could detach from the vehicles in a crash, which increases the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The automaker says that a manufacturing defect on 2016 models may have kept the glass from adhering properly to the body of the vehicle. Ford is still investigating the root cause of the defect for the 2020 models.
Owners may notice wind noise or water leaks due to the defect. In some cases, the windshield itself may be noticeably loose.
In documents provided to NHTSA, Ford says it became aware of the problem in July 2019 because of an increase in claims about windshield water leaks, wind noise, and looseness. After investigating them, Ford has collected, as of Feb. 8, 2022, about 217 warranty claims on 2016 models and about 146 warranty claims on 2020 models.
Ford, Kia, and Hyundai have issued a similar recall in recent months.
Ford says it’s not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries stemming from this problem.
Ford and Lincoln dealerships are authorized to inspect the windshield. If it’s found that the adhesive is faulty, the dealer will remove and reinstall the windshield free of charge.
The Details
Vehicles Recalled
• Ford Transit Connect vans manufactured between Dec. 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016.
• Ford Transit Connect vans manufactured between Nov. 1, 2019, and Feb. 29, 2020.
The problem: The windshield may not be properly secured and could detach from the vehicle in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield and, if necessary, remove and reinstall it, free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Ford will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail starting April 18, 2022. Owners may also call Ford at 866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V192. Ford’s own number for this recall is 22S20.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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