Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Ford EcosportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 403 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Ecosport. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (179) and engine (173). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
403
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

Engine and engine cooling: oil

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Dec 22, 2023NHTSA 23V905000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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."

Air bagsReported Dec 17, 2020NHTSA 20V791000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

403 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2020 – Nov 2026
  1. Engine and engine cooling179
  2. Engine173
  3. Power train53
  4. Fuel/propulsion system24
  5. Electrical system14
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Air bags9
  9. Suspension4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ecosport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2018727
2019461
2020403
2021261
202212
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
26
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

179 reports
“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 unavailable. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The contact later received a letter stating that parts were available; however, the dealer stated that due to a limited supply, they could only service the recall if the vehicle had experienced the failure. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer to be repaired. Upon inspection, the mechanic discovered that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm was fractured, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11755410

Engine

173 reports8 fires
“My 2020 Ford EcoSport was delivered to a certified Ford franchise dealership for a mandatory safety recall. The dealership held my vehicle in their service department for 18 consecutive months (1.5 years) claiming an extended parts and repair delay. Because the manufacturer and dealership held my car for a year and a half, it was physically impossible for me to complete a Texas state emissions inspection, causing my state vehicle registration and tags to completely expire while under their care. The dealership is now forcing me to take delivery of an unregistered, illegal vehicle, hanging up the phone on me when I request safe transit or legal temporary tags, and demanding their service loaner vehicle back. I am filing this complaint due to severe recall repair delays and resulting state vehicle compliance failures.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11775784

Power train

53 reports2 fires
“Kept like revving the engine like it was whining tight never show no check engine light nothing ever showed up was driving down the road and the car completely shut off no warning signs no nothing all was coming out of it like a oil pump or something had went out in the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11763855
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.0L 3-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
EcoSport FWD
Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
272928$2,200318
EcoSport AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
232925$2,500355
  • EcoSport FWD
    Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo
    27 city · 29 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • EcoSport AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford EcoSport SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Ford EcoSport SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14922Vehicle 14877
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Ecosport questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Ecosport have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Ford Ecosport problems?

Owners filed 403 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (179), engine (173), power train (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Ford Ecosport get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Ford Ecosport at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Ford Ecosport?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Ford Ecosport 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026