23rd Jun 2007, 05:22
We run a heating company and have three 75hp Tddi SWB Connects of 2003 and 2004 vintage.
Common failures across the piece have been spare wheel lifting device, drivers window winders, central locking actuator in side sliding door (£160 part). We have changed one or two clutches in the first 50K miles.
All our vans are fitted with aircon and full height bulkheads.
Every one of our drivers has liked the vans, some saying they are better than their own cars. Ride quality is exceptional, no-one has had any adverse comments about the seating.
We have just replaced one with a new 2007 model, the build quality seems stronger than other small vans and they have a very practical shaped loadspace.
No tyre wear defects have been noted, one van needed new front anti roll bar bushes after 50K.
In comparison, the five Merc Sprinters we run have been far less reliable, which is not what I'd have expected.
6th Jul 2007, 18:34
Just thought I would add a final conclusion to my first and opening post here. I have been made redundant since posting, and have now become self-employed. God, how I miss that Transit Connect... NOT.
Do I miss not seeing my trusty Connect sat there in the morning waiting patiently to deafen and cripple me all day?... NO I DON’T.
I too like one reviewer ended up shelling out a fortune on a Recaro seat. It was a question of having to before my back and neck gave in. The steering and handling became such an issue that I would get home on an evening with aching wrists after trying to correct the steering line all day. Ford eventually gave up trying to fix it.
I am pleased however that some have found comfort in the Connect, but the overall consensus appears to agree that the Connect is still an uncomfortable, gutless, noisy, tyre eating piece of junk.
As you can imagine the Connect was not on my shopping list for my new venture, but after some test-driving and limited budget, I have ended up with a 04 Astra Sportive van. Granted the load capacity is not there nor needed, but the driving experience is.
So, good luck to all you Connect owners and I thank you for following up on my opening post.
Keep posting readers!!.
28th Jul 2007, 09:49
With reference to loom wiring, I can only say that the information was passed to me by a Ford service mechanic so no firm evidence. I can however confirm that several of the fleet connects developed the same problem at the same time and at roughly the same mileage (about 45K)
Good luck!!
30th Jul 2007, 12:59
I've got the intermittent alternator warning light problem, can anyone tell me where to look to solve it?. Is it obvious to see?
Apart from that, I really like it. I had an escort van before and this soooo much better.
Speakers are rubbish though and do wish it did a little more to the gallon.
53 reg t220 1.8td.
23rd Sep 2007, 11:17
I have a 2003 Ford Transit Connect T200.
All in all I am very happy with its all round performance.
Fuel economy is more than acceptable.
I find the driver seat comfortable.
Good storage compartments.
Passengers have commented on the lack of adjustment for their seat.
Starts every time.
Performance is good, the van pulls nicely.
The only thing that seems to have failed is the offside sliding door latch/lock mechanism. But since this is a van with 2 sliding doors - I have not got round to investigating.
The only regret I have, is that I chose a short wheelbase model.
All in all - I am happy with this van.
6th Oct 2007, 06:50
I have T 230 (LWB) version with tdci engine and has been very reliable so far (153.000 km). Very good car with very good engine (90 ps).
31st Oct 2007, 00:28
I in the reverse position of a previous poster: I am losing a Connect & gaining a VW Caddy.
My Connect has had 9 replacement tyres (11 in its lifetime), 8 of which went on the front, having been eaten away by the mystery tread-scoffer.
I did an average of 12K pa & found the seat not the worst, but not the best, either.
Roll on Caddy!
10th May 2008, 14:47
Hi! I've just bought a LX T230. I do not have a problem with the handling or driving position, but then again I only do relatively short journeys. I have one problem though; the sliding side door refuses to unlock; Is this a common problem? Is there an easy fix?
8th Jun 2008, 05:56
With regard to the "self locking" side door... there is a locking catch on the inside of the door and if your load shifts during driving and touches the catch... it stops the door unlocking electronically!! Simple fix to clamber over all the stuff in your van to unlatch the catch!!! A bit of a Ford design oversight... I too have the problem with intermittent battery warning light after 45k miles.. had a look for chafed wiring loom but couldn't see any problems... anyone know where I should be looking???
10th Sep 2008, 11:26
I agree with the first comments made - good post.
Something not mentioned in the thread - in my experience the end caps on the rear bumpers fall off all the time, just being held on by integral plastic press fasteners.
My van has to be taken off the road each time - I am told by the mechanics that service our vehicles that it is not road legal without the plastic end stops to cover the metal ends.
Although I have no figures, I think this fault is common - I have yet to see a Transit Connect with both plastic rear bumper ends on (except on our own fleet, which replaces them immediately (four replaced on my van alone in under a year!).
Nice little earner for the replacement parts dealers...
13th Oct 2008, 07:58
I bought a 230lx LWB from auction last year never having driven one before one the way home thought the engine was faulty... but no! apparently 70mph is the best the TDcI can do (empty). It can carry a lot of weight without sinking or the rear wheels splaying out (Berlingo) but I have had all the other faults (battery light, random locking doors, strange and very un-diesel like noises from the engine). A proper SWB Transit would have been a better & cheaper choice, at least they have a passenger seat! The thing in the Connect is not a seat.
26th Jan 2009, 15:42
My 04 connect has just started the battery light problem - has 45k on it - can it be sorted with a bit of gaffer tape?
30th Jan 2009, 18:24
Jeeez!! I must have been lucky with my Connect. 2004 LWB Hi-top 230L, bought it with 70K on clock and it's perfect, you guys don't know how to drive, I'm getting 45mpg round town! What's wrong with the drivers seat? It feels alright to me. The engine is sweet, 85-90 mph on the motorway and it runs straight as a die, I've checked my tyres and can't see any abnormal wear, all in all probably the best van I've had. Yeah, thinking about it if Carling made vans it would probably look something like the Connect!
12th Jun 2007, 14:42
I've got a caddy tdi 06 plate, I had a choice of this or transit hallmark, looks like I chose the right van with the previous comments. when I test drove the connect I thought there was something wrong with the engine, no just the usual slow connect engine, my old fiesta 97 1.8 diesel was faster. The connect should be treated like a HGV on motorways cause it can't go much faster than 56mph!