KnownCarProblems2021 Ford Ecosport Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 261 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ecosport, most often about the engine (83% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Ecosport model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2021 Ford Ecosport problems
Engine
217 complaints · 83%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated there was an abnormal squeaking noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was overheating, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number…
Transmission
51 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v126000 (power train) and 23v905000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving 30-40 MPH, the messages "save the battery", "turn off engine", and "restart" were displayed. The program restarted, and the screen went blank, and the instrument cluster became inoperable. Additionally, the contact was informed about NHTSA…
Electrical
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off unintendedly but was able to be restarted. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000 (engine and…
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle experience a loss of automotive power. The contact stated that black smoke was leaking from…
Other or unspecified
21 complaints · 8%Brakes
15 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and contacted her son. The contact's son inspected the oil pump and oil filter but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact then…
The contact owned a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the vehicle ahead applied the brakes. The contact then depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes were inoperable, causing the vehicle to rear-end the vehicle in front. The contact further stated that the parking…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle restarted after 20 minutes. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The "charging system failed" message was displayed. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer for NHTSA…
Speed control
7 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact released the accelerator pedal and then depressed the pedal again, and the vehicle drove as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 50 MPH. The vehicle was shaking abnormally. The phone app alerted the contact that there was a powertrain malfunction and reduced power. The "service engine soon" message was displayed. The oil and…
Steering
6 complaints · 2%The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and contacted her son. The contact's son inspected the oil pump and oil filter but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact then…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 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.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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 2021 Ford Ecosport
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Ecosport?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (217 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); transmission (51 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 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 2021 a bad year for the Ford Ecosport?
- It is 4th of 6 Ecosport model years by number of complaints, with 261 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.