Problems · by component

2021 Ford Ecosport engine problems

87 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ecosport cite engine, 33% of all 263 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
87
33% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“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
“For 14 months, I attempted to get active recalls fixed on the car at Downtown Sacramento Ford, which claimed to be certified pre-owned per Folsom Lake Ford but had existing recalls and issues when I bought it in March of 2024. My car finally broke down on 07/11/26 and was towed on 07/12/26 to the Elk Grove Ford dealership and "looked at" on 07/13/26. Today is 07/26/26, and I am still in a rental that takes a lot more gas than my regular car. I was told that they fixed the recall, but there is an issue with the turbo boost, and it is covered under warranty. They do not know when they are getting the part, but they are "working on it". I missed 4 days of work just from 07/11/26 to today 07/26/26 ontop of another 20 missed days since purchasing the car due to maintenance and engine issues related to the ongoing recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11752911
“Manufacturer has delayed repaired vehicle under campaign 23V905. Loss of use / unable to use this unsafe vehicle. It has been at the dealership and supposedly awaiting parts since September 2025. Manufacturer’s customer service people cannot provide additional details around delivery dates. Customer service both at the dealership and manufacturer have been polite; however, the dealer has provided no remedy or assistance and the manufacture’s customer service line has admitted to providing misinformation that caused additional financial hardship in order to dispose of a call. At this point, we would welcome any reasonable remedy from the Ford Motor Company in order to either repair and remunerate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2026EngineODI 11747390
“Safety Recall 23S64 was completed on my 2021 Ford EcoSport on approx. Oct 19, 2025. After ~15,000 miles, the same system failed again on [XXX], causing loss of power and loss of braking assist. Fredericktown Pettus Ford diagnosed shredded timing belt material, drained the oil, and removed the catalytic converter (placed in trunk). They were respectful and tried to order a replacement engine, but Ford Motor Co. blocked their access to the system. The vehicle has now been out of service for over 3 months, and we have paid for two ~100‑mile tows because Ford refused to authorize repairs or provide a loaner/rental after a second engine failure. On June 18 the car was towed to Bommarito Ford, who falsely accused us of “destroying the car” and removing the catalytic converter, despite written confirmation from Pettus Ford that THEY removed it during diagnosis. Bommarito refused recall work, claimed the car was “out of warranty,” and ordered us to remove it from their lot or face storage fees. Ford Corporate opened cases [XXX] and [XXX]. The second rep was rude, accusatory, did not return calls, and repeated false claims. Ford denied coverage using a 12k‑mile parts…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2026Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11746512

Showing 6 of 87 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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

Other 2021 Ecosport problem areas