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2021 Ford Ecosport Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2021 Ford Ecosport Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2021 Ford Ecosport has 306 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and engine cooling and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.5/ 10

Based on 306 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

124 40.5%

ENGINE

69 22.5%

POWER TRAIN

43 14.1%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

17 5.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 5.6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, accounting for 40.5% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 18 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2021 Ford Ecosport

The 2021 Ford Ecosport has 306 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING is the most common complaint category, representing about 41% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2021 Ford Ecosport are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (124), ENGINE (69), POWER TRAIN (43).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 233 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2021 Ford Ecosport?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2020 Ecosport complaints2022 Ecosport complaints2019 Ecosport complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 16 of 16 systems

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

100 Reports40% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that a message to shift to park(P) and restart the vehicle was displayed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was test-driven. Additionally, the display screen became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

6/17/2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. The check engine warning light and wrench symbol warning were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hose and gasket on the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer but was not diagnosed because there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving, the no oil pressure message was displayed. There was oil on the highway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the engine and oil pressure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

11/2/2023

98 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

58 Reports23% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My vehicle has the 4 cylinder (non eco boost) engine. It started having an emissions system fault which has been causing exhaust and fuel fumes to not only be very strong under the hood, but has become very strong inside the cab when the climate control is on. Since this started, my wife and I have been experiencing headaches, extreme lethargy, nausea and agitation that typicality resolves after leaving the windows down or completely leaving the vehicle altogether. Filling the fuel tank causes the vehicle to barely start and fumes become overbearingly noticeable directly after.

2/13/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the low-pressure oil message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Once at the dealer, a diagnostic test was performed and showed that the oil pump and the oil pump belt had malfunctioned, which resulted in engine damage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,539.

2/27/2023

56 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

35 Reports14% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Upon normal acceleration at a stop light, the car accelerated normally for about 2 seconds and then a loud grinding sound followed and I lost all acceleration in the middle of a busy intersection unexpectedly with cars having to slam their brakes behind me and steer into other oncoming traffic to avoid hitting me. The car was able to slowly cruise through the light however the brakes also stopped working so I could not bring my car to a stop once I was through the light and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car from rolling. Had this same issue occurred while driving my normal route to work in Houston rush hour traffic I could have been killed or killed others in a wreck as I had no control over my vehicle. No warning lights came on. This issue occurred exactly one week after routine scheduled maintenance that I did at the Ford dealership 2000 miles ahead of when the suggested manufacturer maintenance was required. That same dealership refused to diagnose the vehicle any sooner than 6 weeks. It has now been seen at a new dealership and I was told the axel needed to be replaced and there is transmission fluid leaking out of the car.

1/17/2023

The vehicle locked up and would't move at 10,000 miles. We were lucky that the car was in someone's driveway instead of on the road. The vehicle was new at the time of purchase. I have a relative who is an auto technician and he said that he has experienced this problem with Ford transmissions many times.

2/6/2023

33 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that a message to shift to park(P) and restart the vehicle was displayed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was test-driven. Additionally, the display screen became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

6/17/2022

Faulty sensors that appeared to have been fixed with more faulty sensors. The car's sensors result in the car thinking it is in park, locking up the wheel, and losing some of the drive assist and controls.

11/10/2022

11 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

12 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

While driving I have experienced an issue 3 times since buying my vehicle in April 2021. The issue pertains the vehicle shutting down while in motion and following a message on the screen stating to put the vehicle in "park" and restart the vehicle. I am afraid this will happen while i am in the highway which can lead to a crash or fatality.

7/3/2021

The car has more than once accelerated on its own without any cruise control or pressing of the gas pedal. Usually just a short burst in low speed areas like parking lots. The engine almost retroactively overreacts to a light tap on the gas pedal. So far have caught it every time and been able to hit the brakes but figured should at least let it be known

6/3/2022

10 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Upon normal acceleration at a stop light, the car accelerated normally for about 2 seconds and then a loud grinding sound followed and I lost all acceleration in the middle of a busy intersection unexpectedly with cars having to slam their brakes behind me and steer into other oncoming traffic to avoid hitting me. The car was able to slowly cruise through the light however the brakes also stopped working so I could not bring my car to a stop once I was through the light and had to use the emergency brake to stop the car from rolling. Had this same issue occurred while driving my normal route to work in Houston rush hour traffic I could have been killed or killed others in a wreck as I had no control over my vehicle. No warning lights came on. This issue occurred exactly one week after routine scheduled maintenance that I did at the Ford dealership 2000 miles ahead of when the suggested manufacturer maintenance was required. That same dealership refused to diagnose the vehicle any sooner than 6 weeks. It has now been seen at a new dealership and I was told the axel needed to be replaced and there is transmission fluid leaking out of the car.

1/17/2023

My brakes let go while I was stopped at a traffic light almost causing me to rear end the car in front of me. Luckily the light turned green and the car in front of me moved before I ran into them. Went to try pull off the road to check what was going on and my brakes started working again. This incident put myself and others at risk.

12/7/2023

6 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

My vehicle has the 4 cylinder (non eco boost) engine. It started having an emissions system fault which has been causing exhaust and fuel fumes to not only be very strong under the hood, but has become very strong inside the cab when the climate control is on. Since this started, my wife and I have been experiencing headaches, extreme lethargy, nausea and agitation that typicality resolves after leaving the windows down or completely leaving the vehicle altogether. Filling the fuel tank causes the vehicle to barely start and fumes become overbearingly noticeable directly after.

2/13/2023

EcoSport. Lease [XXX]. Car broke down at 6900 miles [XXX], was fixed and broke down again at 10,300 miles ([XXX]-towed to North Brothers Ford. same problem. (oil pump and engine issues). Apparently a fix won't be available until 2nd quarter in 2024, probably looking at June. I've been told that I cannot be given a loaner until the car is torn down and checked out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2/11/2024

5 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

engine failed due low engine oil pressure not getting oil pressure for an extensive amount of time. low oil pressure caused the rod bearing to fail causing internal engine failure. I was driving on the freeway going on 65mile per hour when I have loss the control of the vehicle i almost died thank god there was not near other vehicles

2/20/2024

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 notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

6/6/2024

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 drove to the residence; however, while attempting to pull into the driveway, the power steering and the brakes failed to function as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised the contact to repair the vehicle at her own expense, and she might be reimbursed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

2/8/2024

It was flashing lights reving up and down was not drivable car was not driving safely and sounded very bad

3/18/2024

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that the seat belt on the driver's side of the vehicle failed to extend as needed. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

7/18/2023

Hello I’m having problems with my drivers side seatbelt. It will pull out all the way as it will go and it will not go back to tighten up the seatbelt. Where I put my seatbelt back on it will not tighten back to keep me safe in seatbelt. It’s very loose and when I hit on the brake the seatbelt will not tighten up to protect me in the seat. Then sometimes I get in my vehicle the seatbelt will work normally to tighten back when I fasten my seatbelt. I took it to my dealership on Monday for oil change a tire rotation . I also told my advisor about the problem I was having and asked him to get them to check it out. They couldn’t find a problem with it at that time. But on Tuesday it was doing the same problem. My sister has fussing about how unsafe that was for use to drive like that. Please can you help me with this problem asap. Thanks in advance. The date of my visit to dealership was Monday 1/29/2024

1/31/2024

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 drove to the residence; however, while attempting to pull into the driveway, the power steering and the brakes failed to function as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised the contact to repair the vehicle at her own expense, and she might be reimbursed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

2/8/2024

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while parked in a parking space with the vehicle in drive and the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle started to roll. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the VIN was included but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

3/8/2024

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Engine making rumbling noise and losing oil pressure, shop at dealership said the car was not drivable, and to leave at shop, however they didn’t offer a loaner car to drive, need to work and can’t afford a rental until these repairs are made

2/19/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The low fuel indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

6/13/2024

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The back hatch window shattered for no reason. The car was parked at home. There was no reason for it to explode as it did. No road damage, the hatch had not been opened for days. The window just shattered.

12/29/2024

WHEELS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The transmission has failed and was replaced, but the replacement engine has also been recalled and replaced with another recalled engine. Additionally, the tires and various electrical sensors continue to malfunction, the brake lights and sockets are persistently failing, and the front suspension along with wheel bearings require replacement. The car is unsafe to drive, vibrates excessively, and produces loud noises while in motion. I am concerned for my safety and seek assistance in resolving this issue.

2/14/2025

SUSPENSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The transmission has failed and was replaced, but the replacement engine has also been recalled and replaced with another recalled engine. Additionally, the tires and various electrical sensors continue to malfunction, the brake lights and sockets are persistently failing, and the front suspension along with wheel bearings require replacement. The car is unsafe to drive, vibrates excessively, and produces loud noises while in motion. I am concerned for my safety and seek assistance in resolving this issue.

2/14/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Ecosport?

The most reported complaint category for the 2021 Ford Ecosport is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, with 124 owner reports. That is about 41% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Are complaints about the 2021 Ford Ecosport a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 233 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2021 Ford Ecosport?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2021 Ford Ecosport severe?

233 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Ford Ecosport: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
306
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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