In September 2016, the Ford Motor Company issued a recall for select 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles due to concerns regarding the panoramic roof panels detaching while in motion.
Despite subsequent recalls in May 2020 and December 2021 addressing the same issue, Ford identified a batch of units from the 2017 to 2019 model years, produced at the Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain, that were initially overlooked. The fourth recall stemmed from reports of panoramic roof separation between August 2022 and March 2023, prompting Ford to investigate further.
Upon examination, Ford’s Material Engineering team discovered contaminants on the glass surfaces, leading to primer separation from the roof panel and resulting in 14 reported instances of panoramic roof separation since October 2, 2016. Fortunately, there were no accidents or injuries reported.
To rectify the issue, dealers are tasked with removing the panoramic glass roof, cleansing the glass and roof surfaces, and reinstalling the vista-style glass roof. Owners will be notified of this recall, known as 24V-294 by the NHTSA, between May 20 and May 24.
The panoramic glass roof, featuring a motorized sunshade, is supplied by Hungary-based BOS Automotive Products, with part number DT11-K519E58-B. Ford attributed the contamination to the primer application process at the supplier’s facility, potentially resulting in excessive wind noise or water leakage from the panoramic glass roof.
Approximately 1,315 Transit Connect units are potentially affected by this recall. Despite its discontinuation from the U.S. market after the 2023 model year, the Transit Connect remains configurable in Cargo Van and Passenger Wagon variants. Priced at $34,100 and $35,600, respectively, both models are equipped with a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine generating 162 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and achieving up to 26 miles per gallon on the combined test cycle.