Recall 20V636 affects 2,903 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for delayed fail-safe cooling during coolant loss. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 2,903 2019-2020 Transit Connect vans because PCM software uses fail-safe temperature thresholds set higher than intended for the 2.5L engine. In a coolant-loss event, delayed cooling can let the engine overheat, damaging the engine and increasing fire risk; Ford dealers will update the PCM software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The powertrain control module in the 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect with the 2.5L engine is the computer that manages engine and transmission behavior. One of its jobs is to watch engine temperature and trigger a fail-safe cooling strategy when coolant is lost. That strategy is meant to protect the engine before heat reaches a damaging level.
On affected Transit Connect vehicles, the software thresholds for that fail-safe strategy were set higher than Ford intended. The production calibration used default values instead of the validated temperature settings from the prior model year calibration. If coolant is lost, the computer waits too long to start the protection strategy, and the engine overheats.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner does not get a separate early symptom from this software problem before the cooling strategy is delayed.
Who's affected?
Both listed systems trace to the same powertrain control module calibration.
| 2019 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Transit Connect | Cooling system |
| 2020 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Ford Transit Connect | Cooling system |
| Units affected | 2,903 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An overheating engine can damage the engine and increase the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign listed for this recall. If your VIN is included, schedule the software update soon and stop driving if the engine overheats. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free PCM software update.
- Tell the dealer the update fixes PCM temperature thresholds that delay fail-safe cooling after coolant loss, and reference recall number 20V636 (Ford recall 20S60) when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, and ask whether the van is safe to drive if it has coolant loss or overheating before the update.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician updates the powertrain control module software so the engine fail-safe cooling strategy uses the corrected temperature thresholds. The update is free under the recall, and parts and labor are covered. Out of pocket costs already paid are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because that warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 16, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 26, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 26, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 10, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V636?
Recall 20V636 covers 2,903 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect vehicles with 2.5L engines. The PCM software has fail-safe temperature thresholds set higher than intended, which can delay cooling action after coolant loss and lead to engine overheating. Ford dealers will update the PCM software for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 20V636. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the PCM software update. Reference recall number 20V636 or Ford recall number 20S60 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will update the PCM software free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall work.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V636?
The risk is engine overheating after coolant loss. If the engine overheats, it can damage the engine and increase the risk of a fire. The recall repair updates the PCM software so the fail-safe cooling strategy uses the correct temperature thresholds.
What if I bought my Ford Transit Connect used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer for the free PCM software update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V636000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V636 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V636000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →