Recall 25V196 affects 152 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect vehicles with PCM software that delays engine cooling. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 152 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles under recall 25V196 because an earlier recall repair left PCM software with engine temperature thresholds set too high. That software can delay engine cooling, lead to overheating, and increase the risk of a fire; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The powertrain control module, or PCM, is the engine computer that manages how the powertrain responds while the van is running. On the 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect, its software includes fail-safe temperature settings for engine cooling. Those settings help the vehicle react before engine heat rises too far.
These vans were already repaired under an earlier Ford recall, but the wrong PCM software was installed on some of them. The service tool did not load the intended remedy software package. As a result, the fail-safe temperature thresholds remain higher than Ford intended, which can delay engine cooling and lead to engine overheating.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be an overheating engine or a temperature warning after the cooling response has already been delayed.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2019 and 2020 model years under the same automatic transmission control module calibration.
| 2019 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2020 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 152 |
| 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 engine that overheats raises the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign before failure. If the engine overheats, pull over when safe, shut it off, and call a Ford dealer before continuing. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect is included in this recall.
- Watch for Ford's owner letter if you have not received it.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 25V196 when you ask about the free PCM software update.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer once Ford confirms your VIN is included and ask for the free PCM software update that lowers the engine temperature fail-safe thresholds.
- Stop driving if the engine overheats, and ask the Ford dealer how to move the vehicle safely before the repair.
What happens at the repair
Ford has identified the dealer fix for this recall: a Ford technician updates the powertrain control module software so the engine cooling fail-safe temperature thresholds match the intended settings. The dealer repair will be free once Ford makes the remedy available for your VIN. Ford's standard reimbursement plan gives owners a path to request repayment for eligible PCM software repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring repair receipts or other documentation to the service desk, or contact Ford customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 28, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 21, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 28, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| April 28, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V196?
Recall 25V196 covers 152 2019-2020 Ford Transit Connect vehicles that were previously repaired incorrectly under recall 20V-636. The powertrain control module software has engine temperature thresholds set too high, which can delay cooling, cause overheating, and increase fire risk.
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 25V196. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the powertrain control module software update. Reference recall number 25V196 and Ford recall number 25S32 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will update the powertrain control module software free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine overheating that increases the risk of a fire. Recall 25V196 involves powertrain control module software with cooling thresholds set higher than intended, so the engine can take too long to cool. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free software update.
When were owners notified about this Ford Transit Connect recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on April 21, 2025. If you bought the van used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V196000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V196 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V196000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →