2021 Ford ECOSPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
258 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 79 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 134 of 258 complaints (51.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 37 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 27 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 134 |
| Engine | 85 |
| Power Train | 50 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 134; Engine: 85; Power Train: 50; Electrical System: 21; Unknown Or Other: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Service Brakes: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 32 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 179 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 97 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 34 |
2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 23; 2024: 97; 2025: 100; 2026: 34
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 37 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11423358 · 2021-07-03 (July 3, 2021)
While driving I have experienced an issue 3 times since buying my vehicle in April 2021. The issue pertains the vehicle shutting down while in motion and following a message on the screen stating to put the vehicle in "park" and restart the vehicle. I am afraid this will happen while i am in the highway which can lead to a crash or fatality.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11467412 · 2022-06-03 (June 3, 2022)
The car has more than once accelerated on its own without any cruise control or pressing of the gas pedal. Usually just a short burst in low speed areas like parking lots. The engine almost retroactively overreacts to a light tap on the gas pedal. So far have caught it every time and been able to hit the brakes but figured should at least let it be known
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11467412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469728 · 2022-06-17 (June 17, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that a message to shift to park(P) and restart the vehicle was displayed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was test-driven. Additionally, the display screen became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11469728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493146 · 2022-11-10 (November 10, 2022)
Faulty sensors that appeared to have been fixed with more faulty sensors. The car's sensors result in the car thinking it is in park, locking up the wheel, and losing some of the drive assist and controls.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502261 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
Upon normal acceleration at a stop light, the car accelerated normally for about 2 seconds and then a loud grinding sound followed and I lost all acceleration in the middle of a busy intersection unexpectedly with cars having to slam their brakes behind me and steer into other oncoming traffic to avoid hitting me. The car was able to slowly cruise through the light however the brakes also stopped working so I could not bring my car to a stop once I was through the light and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car from rolling. Had this s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505770 · 2023-02-06 (February 6, 2023)
The vehicle locked up and would't move at 10,000 miles. We were lucky that the car was in someone's driveway instead of on the road. The vehicle was new at the time of purchase. I have a relative who is an auto technician and he said that he has experienced this problem with Ford transmissions many times.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506900 · 2023-02-13 (February 13, 2023)
My vehicle has the 4 cylinder (non eco boost) engine. It started having an emissions system fault which has been causing exhaust and fuel fumes to not only be very strong under the hood, but has become very strong inside the cab when the climate control is on. Since this started, my wife and I have been experiencing headaches, extreme lethargy, nausea and agitation that typicality resolves after leaving the windows down or completely leaving the vehicle altogether. Filling the fuel tank causes the vehicle to barely start and fumes become overbe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509365 · 2023-02-27 (February 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the low-pressure oil message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Once at the dealer, a diagnostic test was performed and showed that the oil pump and the oil pump belt had malfunctioned, which resulted in engine damage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,539.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,539 miles reported. Look up ODI 11509365 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V905000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Pump
Reported: 2023-12-22 (December 22, 2023)
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V126000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2025-02-28 (February 28, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 EcoSport vehicles. The front axle half shafts may disconnect from the transmission, which can result in a loss of drive power.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗