Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Ford Ecosport problems

Owners filed 403 complaints about the 2020 Ford Ecosport with NHTSA between Dec 2020 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (179).

Complaints
403
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
26
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Seat belts3
  11. Steering3
  12. Structure3
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  14. Visibility/wiper1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20201
20215
20226
202374
2024178
202590
202649

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine and engine cooling

179 reports1 related recall
“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

Fuel/propulsion system

24 reports3 fires
“"I am reporting a severe, high-risk safety and under-hood fire hazard involving a 2020 Ford EcoSport tied directly to federal Safety Recall 23S64 [23S64]. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic loss of internal oil pressure, leading to an official diagnostic scan by Kerry Ford confirming a hard-stored P0015 Camshaft Timing defect [23S64]. The dealership is actively evading the federal recall remedy by falsely claiming the failure is just a bad sensor [23S64]. The vehicle is now experiencing critical failure symptoms: it is consuming extreme amounts of gasoline rapidly and filling both the interior cabin and exterior air with a heavy, toxic odor of raw fuel while running, making it entirely unsafe to operate in public traffic [23S64]. Furthermore, our auto lender has verbally stated on a recorded line that they are refusing repossession because the car holds zero value, forcing a hazardous, un-remedied federal safety defect to remain stranded on a residential property [23S64]."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11760733

Electrical system

14 reports1 fire
“The engine to my car completely caught on fire and destroyed the engine and inside of my car. All my items in my car were melted and put myself and other people in danger. There were no lights on until that morning where the engine light started flashing and in the span of 10-15 minutes the car was slowing down. Parked and turned off the car and the engine started smoking and caught on fire. Police department and fire department were called.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11773870

Vehicle speed control

12 reports
“The affected component is the powertrain system in my 2020 Ford EcoSport. The vehicle has experienced repeated powertrain-related failures and is available for inspection upon request. In May 2025, the vehicle required a full engine replacement, yet I am continuing to experience serious powertrain-related issues. The vehicle has displayed powertrain malfunction warnings and has experienced improper acceleration, hesitation, loss of power, and instances where the vehicle has stopped at intersections. These issues create a serious safety risk because the vehicle may not respond when acceleration is needed, including when entering traffic, turning, merging, or attempting to avoid hazards. A vehicle that loses power or stops unexpectedly at intersections creates a risk of collision and puts myself, my passengers, and other motorists in danger. This issue has occurred multiple times and has required repeated service attention. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected again due to the ongoing powertrain failure concern. Despite significant repairs, including a complete engine replacement, the underlying issue appears to remain unresolved. Prior to the failures, the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11748784
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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