Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway and pressing the brake pedal, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to stop before crashing into the side of the home. During the crash no injuries were reported, no police report was taken and the brick wall was damaged. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified. The contact later received a recall letter for the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 18,500.
The contact's father owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The crankshaft warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact's father was informed that the spark plugs were smashed. The owner was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ignition coil failures. The contact was informed that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …
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 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH and crossing an intersection, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light was illuminated. As a result, the vehicle following behind in the intersection crashed into the rear corner of the passenger side bumper. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The other vehicle fled the crash scene. The damage to the rear bumper was minimal. The contact filed a police report at the Station but no further information was available. There were no injuries sustained. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and related the failure to the recall however, the part to repair was unavailable. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 20 mph the check engine and oil pressure warning lights had illuminated, a burning odor was present inside the vehicle and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipes. The daughter was alerted by another motorist that the vehicle was on fire. After parking and exiting the vehicle flames and smoke were present coming from the engine compartment. A nearby police officer used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames and the fire department was called to the scene. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed away to a nearby lot. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The contact had previously received a recall notice regarding the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V90500(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with her husband in the front passenger's seat and her infant in a car seat in the rear seat, the vehicle began to lose motive power and was making abnormal loud cranking sounds. The message "Power Train Malfunction -Reduced Power" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated upon attempting to exit the highway and avoid incoming traffic, the front passenger side of the bumper struck a guard rail. There was no injury sustained. The contact was able to continue driving at 35 MPH and pulled into a fire station. The contact turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle with assistance. The contact then drove to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while initially accelerating, the vehicle was stalling when approaching 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and an unknown warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a turbocharger and under-boost failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred while accelerating the vehicle and making a right turn, the vehicle stalled and another vehicle crashed into the the driver's side door and the front driver's side tire of the contact's vehicle. No police report was filed. The contact received treatment for a concussion and minor muscle tears. The contact stated that there were no known injuries the 3 occupants in the other vehicle sustained. The contact's vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to a body shop. …
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to…
NHTSA investigations
Oil Pump Failure
On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Ecosport years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (642), 2019 (403), 2020 (346) and 2021 (217) model years. Engine complaints make up 88% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Ford Ecosport engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-905 (pump, Dec 22, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Ecosport engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › oil/lubrication › pump (10 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.