Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Ford Ecosport problems

Owners filed 263 complaints about the 2021 Ford Ecosport with NHTSA between Jul 2021 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (135).

Complaints
263
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine and engine cooling135
  2. Engine87
  3. Power train51
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Fuel/propulsion system14
  6. Service brakes12
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Steering6
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  10. Air bags3
  11. Visibility/wiper2
  12. Suspension2
  13. Wheels2
  14. Seat belts2

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
20211
20223
202323
202497
2025100
202639

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

135 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the message “Engine Overheating” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. An alternate dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be picked up by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11775628

Engine

87 reports2 crashes
“when driving the car, it will turn off all of a sudden and a message saying emergency power this is very dangers as it happened to my daughter in the middle of the road it will also stall to turn on after getting gas and you have to sit there and turn the car on and off till it decides to tune on this car has less than 50k on it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11771328

Power train

51 reports1 crash1 related recall
“XXX: A 2021 Ford EcoSport S (VIN: [XXX]) was towed to Mid-State Ford for the 1.0L EcoBoost Oil Pump Drive Belt Tensioner Safety Recall (Recall 23S64 / NHTSA 23V905). Prior to the tow, the transmission and drivetrain functioned flawlessly with zero slipping, codes, or mechanical noise. XXX: Service advisor [XXX] contacted the consumer to verify the engine failure was tied to the safety recall, documenting the initial vehicle intake scope. The transmission remained completely sound. XXX: [XXX] confirmed the new recall engine installation was successful, but noted a catalytic converter exhaust leak. The shop agreed to fix it under the 8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emissions Defect Warranty. No transmission faults existed or were reported. • XXX: [XXX] called back to state the engine was good, but the vehicle now suffered a severe transmission torque converter issue. Mechanically, this specific component was crushed when technicians forced the engine block and transmission bellhousing together while misaligned during reassembly 5:22 PM: Consumer discussed the newly created transmission damage with [XXX]. • 5:23 PM: Consumer called GM [XXX]; the receptionist screened…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Power trainODI 11770953

Electrical system

23 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the EVAP purge system replacement. The vehicle was repaired; however, the Check Engine warning light illuminated while leaving the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, who informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed, and that there was no warranty coverage. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,688.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11743015

Fuel/propulsion system

14 reports
“My vehicles service engine light has been on for over a year now. I have contacted the service department and Ford Dealership. I was told that it was covered under Ford and I would not be charged. I have called the Ford Customer Service Department about my vehicle, but nothing seems to be correct. I am making a car payment, but I am not getting service down on my vehicle especially when it's not my fault, I have these issues. I thought better of Ford. Every time I get gas in my vehicle it will not start, it's so frustrating and embarring I still have a warranty on my Ford, I am completely disgusted I literally sit there and repeat 3 times, and it finally starts, I have done everything it says to do I even replaced a purge valve, and my light comes back on. Also, when I am driving my car acts like its losing power. So now they are staying I may have a small gas leak and for me to have them put my car on a Smoke Machine. I just want my car fixed so I will feel safe driving I am even afraid to drive to [XXX] to see my daughter my car is a 2021. Also, I have either 2 recalls or 3 recalls, and I have an issue with my powertrain: Action Recommended. warning light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11762065

Service brakes

12 reports2 crashes
“I've had the same recall fixed on this car three times and once again on XXX myself and my husband were in the car driving and the wrench light and engine light came on and my car went into limp mode it wouldn't go above like 35mph I actually caught this on video and my husband was trying to make a u turn in a parking lot to come back home and the motor lost all power,no braking power or steering which caused us to hit a pole and this time caused whiplash on my husband and four fractured vertabre in my back,I've been reporting to ford and threw this service after the third oil pump tensor belt fix that the motor was still loosing power out of no where and ford has refused to help me and now this same recall has caused an actual crash this time and I've got major injuries this time,ford needs held accountable for this,I've had my car at [XXX],only six months after buying the car and they told me it was the purge valve and made me wait for over two months for the part and they finally got the part in and two minutes later I hit the freeway as soon as my husband got up to around 65 the motor lost power and we almost got hit by a semi for the second time due to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 11768067
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.