2021 Ford Ecosport Problems: Engine (257 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2021 Ford Ecosport is Engine (63% of 257 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 257 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2021 Ford Ecosport?

162 of 257 filings named Engine (63% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (37 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Rear camera / backup safety. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2020 has 391 reports on file; this year has 257. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2021 Ford Ecosport

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 162 complaints · 63.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 6
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 3
  • Deaths 2
All Ford Ecosport years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 162 of 257 owner complaints (63.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 162 complaints, 63.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 crash reports 162 · 63.0% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 37 complaints, 14.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 37 · 14.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 12 complaints, 4.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 12 · 4.7% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 7 complaints, 2.7% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 7 · 2.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 6 complaints, 2.3% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 6 · 2.3% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 4 complaints, 1.6% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 4 · 1.6% Steering (STEERING): 3 complaints, 1.2% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 · 1.2% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 2 complaints, 0.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 crash reports 2 · 0.8% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 2 complaints, 0.8% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 2 · 0.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 21 complaints, 8.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 21 · 8.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 162 63.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 37 14.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 12 4.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 7 2.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 6 2.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 4 1.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 3 1.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 2 0.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 2 0.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 21 8.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2021; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 2023. 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2024-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2024-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2024-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2024-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 2025-Q2: 40 owner reports 40 2025-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2026-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2026-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2026-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 Owner reports Jul 2021 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 23V905000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V905000 Recall campaign 25V126000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V126000 Recall campaign 25V442000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V442000 Investigation PE23015 ● Investigation PE23015
  • Campaign 23V905000 was reported 312 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V126000 was reported 773 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 2
2022-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q1 Owner reports 4
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 5
2023-Q4 Owner reports 13
2024-Q1 Owner reports 20
2024-Q2 Owner reports 33
2024-Q3 Owner reports 28
2024-Q4 Owner reports 16
2025-Q1 Owner reports 26
2025-Q2 Owner reports 40
2025-Q3 Owner reports 16
2025-Q4 Owner reports 18
2026-Q1 Owner reports 12
2026-Q2 Owner reports 17
2026-Q3 Owner reports 4
Recall campaign 1 23V905000
Recall campaign 1 25V126000
Recall campaign 1 25V442000
Defect investigation 1 PE23015
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Rear camera / backup safety.

  1. Recall campaign 23V905000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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 replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 25V126000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a disconnected half shaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S12.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 25V442000

    Rear camera / backup safety

    Report date
    Component:
    Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION)
    Consequence:
    A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 7 of 257 complaints · page 1 of 11
2026-08-18Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11757655
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking slowly and felt that the shaking was coming from the rear end. The contact stated that over time, the shaking was felt in the front end of the vehicle, and the steering wheel was wobbling, and the front seats were shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
2026-07-26Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11752911
CrashFireInjuryDeath
For 14 months, I attempted to get active recalls fixed on the car at Downtown Sacramento Ford, which claimed to be certified pre-owned per Folsom Lake Ford but had existing recalls and issues when I bought it in March of 2024. My car finally broke down on 07/11/26 and was towed on 07/12/26 to the Elk Grove Ford dealership and "looked at" on 07/13/26. Today is 07/26/26, and I am still in a rental that takes a lot more gas than my regular car. I was told that they fixed the recall, but there is an issue with the turbo boost, and it is covered under warranty. They do not know when they are getting the part, but they are "working on it". I missed 4 days of work just from 07/11/26 to today 07/26/26 ontop of another 20 missed days since purchasing the car due to maintenance and engine issues related to the ongoing recall.
2026-07-21WHEELS
NHTSA ODI 11751722
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Unknown how it happened. After parking noticed back driver side tire was tilted. Took picture next morning under car to see that the cross arm was broken in half. Car was not drivable and was towed to a Ford dealership Seems like arm just snapped without notice.
2026-07-18Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11751321
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Oil low pressure,oil pump is not working
2026-06-30Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11747390
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Manufacturer has delayed repaired vehicle under campaign 23V905. Loss of use / unable to use this unsafe vehicle. It has been at the dealership and supposedly awaiting parts since September 2025. Manufacturer’s customer service people cannot provide additional details around delivery dates. Customer service both at the dealership and manufacturer have been polite; however, the dealer has provided no remedy or assistance and the manufacture’s customer service line has admitted to providing misinformation that caused additional financial hardship in order to dispose of a call. At this point, we would welcome any reasonable remedy from the Ford Motor Company in order to either repair and remunerate.
2026-06-25Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11746512
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Safety Recall 23S64 was completed on my 2021 Ford EcoSport on approx. Oct 19, 2025. After ~15,000 miles, the same system failed again on [XXX], causing loss of power and loss of braking assist. Fredericktown Pettus Ford diagnosed shredded timing belt material, drained the oil, and removed the catalytic converter (placed in trunk). They were respectful and tried to order a replacement engine, but Ford Motor Co. blocked their access to the system. The vehicle has now been out of service for over 3 months, and we have paid for two ~100‑mile tows because Ford refused to authorize repairs or provide a loaner/rental after a second engine failure. On June 18 the car was towed to Bommarito Ford, who falsely accused us of “destroying the car” and removing the catalytic converter, despite written confirmation from Pettus Ford that THEY removed it during diagnosis. Bommarito refused recall work, claimed the car was “out of warranty,” and ordered us to remove it from their lot or face storage fees. Ford Corporate opened cases [XXX] and [XXX]. The second rep was rude, accusatory, did not return calls, and repeated false claims. Ford denied coverage using a 12k‑mile parts warranty, even though this is a federal safety recall. Ford Corporate also misidentified the owner and listed my vehicle incorrectly as a “Ford Edge.” After notifying Ford Executive Office, Tier 2, the Missouri Attorney General, and legal counsel, Pettus Ford’s access to Ford’s system was suddenly restored. Pettus Ford continued to help, but Ford still refused to authorize the repair. We have now towed the car back to Pettus Ford in Fredericktown, MO. We have been without a vehicle for nearly 4 months and have spent significant time and money on towing. Ford only began to respond after the Missouri Attorney General complaint and after Ford Corporate threatened legal action instead of providing assistance. Pettus Ford has been the only party acting professionally throughout this:INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
2026-06-23Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11745903
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Engine failed after repair of15000 miles with same break down The dealership did not clean out shredded timing belt and the second belt was shredded

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2021 Ford Ecosport?

Owners named Engine most often — 162 of 257 reports (63%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Ford Ecosport?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Rear camera / backup safety. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2021 Ford Ecosport?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources