KnownCarProblems2020 Ford Ecosport Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 400 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Ecosport, most often about the engine (87% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Ecosport model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2020 Ford Ecosport problems
Engine
346 complaints · 87%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH up a hill, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The wrench symbol was displayed. The vehicle lost power and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle…
Transmission
53 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and going downhill, she briefly felt the vehicle jerk. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was in park, the contact exited the vehicle to retrieve an item and without warning, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact ran and entered the vehicle and slammed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 10%For some reason screen on my entertainment center on Ecosport goes black. So far I had two software updates and one screen replacement but the problem still appears. I am so pissed off with this that my dealer is not able to fix this problem. For some reason screen on my entertainment center on Ecosport goes black. So…
Fuel system
25 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the map (manifold absolute pressure) sensor was cleaned and the air filter was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle…
Brakes
13 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving or while in reverse, the brake pedal was depressed and the contact heard an abnormal sound. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to caguas expressway motors, caguas, 00725, puerto rico and was informed that the brake drum and…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby independent…
Electrical
13 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the Ford dealer mobile technician replaced the battery, and the vehicle was able to start. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000…
Speed control
12 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact was able to drive to the shoulder. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby independent…
Air bags
9 complaints · 2%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to make a left turn, another vehicle ran a red light and t-boned his vehicle. Due to the impact, his vehicle slammed into a guardrail on a bridge, nearly knocking the vehicle over the bridge. The contact stated that all curtain…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Ford Ecosport recalls
Backup camera: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: pump
Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began february 18, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20c26.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 ecosport and 2019-2020 transit connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Oil pump failure
Summary
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. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motiv
Questions about the 2020 Ford Ecosport
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Ecosport?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (346 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); transmission (53 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); other or unspecified (39 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Ecosport have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Ford Ecosport?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Ecosport model year since 2000, with 400 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.