Manufacturing Defect in 2017 Ford Transit Connect 1.5 TDCi

Manufacturing Defect in 2017 Ford Transit Connect 1.5 TDCi Ford South Africa Case Number: 600100021

I want to warn others about a serious manufacturing defect in the 2017 Ford Transit Connect 1.5 TDCi. The cambelt repeatedly fails well before its expected lifespan of 150,000 km - 200,000 km, leading to catastrophic engine damage and costly repairs.

I am still young and saved up for years to buy this vehicle. I purchased it second-hand for R180,000, believing it would be a reliable investment for my future. I was aware that the previous owner experienced a cambelt failure at around 100,000 km, which led to a complete engine replacement by Ford. I trusted that the issue was resolved and continued driving the car with confidence.

However, after just 70,000 km on the new engine, the same devastating problem occurred—the cambelt failed again, completely destroying the engine. This happened despite maintaining a full service history and using the vehicle with minimal load.

Ford refuses to cover the cost of repairs, arguing that I am not a “loyal” customer because I did not service the car at their dealerships every time. This stance is unreasonable, as the cambelt failure is unrelated to routine oil changes and clearly points to a manufacturing defect. If I had known that the cambelt could fail after just 70,000 km, I would have proactively replaced it every 50,000 km to avoid this nightmare.

The repair cost is R113,619, almost as much as the purchase price of the car. If I proceed with the repairs, this would be the third engine in under 8 years—an unacceptable outcome for any vehicle. As a young person who worked hard to afford this car, this is financially devastating. I simply do not have the money to cover the repairs and will likely have to s**** the vehicle, losing everything I invested.

I am sharing my story to warn others: Be extremely cautious when considering a Ford vehicle. Despite overwhelming evidence of a manufacturing defect, Ford refuses to take responsibility or offer any goodwill assistance. This experience has left me with no choice but to vow never to buy a Ford vehicle again.

If there is anyone who can assist me, please send me a direct message. I am receiving no support from Ford, and my vehicle is still sitting at Ford Human Motors in Bloemfontein, South Africa.