2020 Ford Ecosport Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system
  2
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pump
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pressure/temperature sensor
  1
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  32%
• 25k–50k
  1915%
• 50k–75k
  5443%
• 75k–100k
  4334%
• 100k–150k
  76%
• 150k+
  11%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Ford Ecosport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving later that day. Additionally, the engine made an abnormal whistling sound. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump drive belt tensioner had failed. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with several unknown sensor failures. The contact was informed that the unknown sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle started jerking extremely hard. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the engine overheated and seized. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be completely cleaned out and detailed prior to being serviced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with several failures, and DTC: P0217, P0496, P04DB, P1825 and P1299 were retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated the engine had been replaced by the dealer in February 2023; however, the contact was informed that the warranty had since expired. The contact stated that four days after the repair, the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. …

On April 3, 2026, this vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure as I was driving on US-169, in Kansas City, Mo.,l The engine seized and the fuel line ruptured resulting in an undercarriage fire with small explosions. I had to be physically extracted from the burning vehicle by a Clay County Sheriff's Deputy, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Liberty, Missouri (Report #CC2600810). This catastrophic asset and recall remedy failure is the direct result of a recognized federal safety defect (Ford Safety Recall 23S64 / NHTSA Campaign 23V905). The original engine blew from an oil pump failure in October 2024 and was towed to certified Ford dealer Smithville (Mo.) Ford on October 9, 2024 as per the recall. The new engine was not re-installed until May 24, 2025 due to delay in getting parts At the time of the recall reinstallation, the vehicle had 61,556 miles on it. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer the following week. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced as an interim recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic report with photos of the failure had been sent to the manufacturer, and the engine was ordered. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that a month later, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had been performed and the vehicle was ready for pick up. The contact stated that the vehicle was picked up and driven to the residence; however, the vehicle later failed to start. A mobile technician from the dealer arrived at the residence and continuously pushed the START button until the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred upon retrieving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began to shake with an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the vehicle. Once the contact parked the vehicle, the "Low Oil Pressure" warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts and was later towed to the dealer. A diagnostic test was performed on the vehicle and the contact was informed that the oil pump belt had failed and caused bearing damage. The contact was later informed that the engine's long block and turbocharger needed to be replaced. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on a bridge, the low oil pressure, the power train, and the check engine warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that he continued driving at 15 MPH and pulled into a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The dealer determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be reimbursed after paying for the repair out-of-pocket. The contact stated that he paid to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon exiting the driveway, there was a knocking and clamoring sound coming from the vehicle with the "Engine Oil Pressure Low" message displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who immediately identified the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was later informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging coming from the engine, and the low oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the engine, and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the steering wheel seized, and the brake pedal failed to function properly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine had seized. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Ecosport years