Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 460 safety complaints
about the 2019 Ford Ecosport with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 5 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the engine and its cooling and the seats.
The most complained-about system is the engine and its cooling,
named in 215 complaints, 47% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 67,000 miles,
the median across the 175
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers May 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
460 complaints on file
460
Complaints
7
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
5
People injured
1
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints halved year on year: 62 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 134 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 215 · 47%
215 47%
ENGINE 193 · 42%
193 42%
POWER TRAIN 50 · 11%
50 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 34 · 7%
34 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 29 · 6%
29 6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 · 4%
18 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 13 · 3%
13 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12 · 3%
12 3%
AIR BAGS 5 · 1%
5 1%
STEERING 4 · 1%
4 1%
STRUCTURE 3 · 1%
3 1%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 · 0%
2 0%
088177
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 460.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2024 at 199.
212 159 106 53
192019202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Ford ECOSPORT, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
4 DR AWD
4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
19.1%
20.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
2 on file
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
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.
The risk
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
Ford Motor Company · up to 139,730 vehicles across all model years covered
SEATS
19V023000 · January 2, 2019
The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The front seat frames may have been improperly welded, resulting in the seat back being improperly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk
A loose seat back can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C08.
Ford Motor Company · up to 63 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Oil Pump Failure
PE23015
Closed preliminary evaluation · opened September 20, 2023 · closed February 14, 2024 · led to recall 23V905
the engine and its cooling
On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
1 death · 1 injured · crash · towed · 19,000 miles
2019 ECOSPORT STRUCK A POLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND SEVERAL ROCKS THAT BENT THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY AND BENT THE FRAME. IT DROVE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL INTO THE CAR FRAME. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBOUND AND CONTINUED THROUGH A FLOWER BED CONSTRUCTED OF PAVER STONES 18" HIGH. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FLOWER BED FURTHER DESTROYED THE UNDERCARRIAGE WITH THE DRIVETRAIN PUSHED BACKWARDS. THE CAR LANDED AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND DRIVER SUFFERED A SEVERED SPINE AND LATER DIED.*DT*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint 11405877. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 17,000 miles
NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER BEING HIT TWICE BY SEMI TRUCK AND CAR WAS TOTALED .
NHTSA complaint 11337239. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 injured · crash · towed
I have tried multiple times to reach Ford Corporate since 6-6-22. They say they called me and there was not voicemail option so they closed my case. I keep opening case numbers with them. On Jun2 2nd, my car was parked, idling in the driveway on an incline. I opened the driver's side door and pushed the off button, the car then started to roll backwards. The door hit me and the car dragged me down the driveway into the street. The car then continued to roll into a neighbor's yard and hit the front of their house. It took out a support beam, the porch, the front brick wall and a window. I opened a claim with my insurance, called the cops. The police did not issue me a ticket since I was not …
NHTSA complaint 11470056, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 17,200 miles
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 30 MPH, a van crashed into the passenger side. No warning lights were illuminated, and all air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter sustained unknown injuries and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company sent an investigator and the vehicle was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,200.
NHTSA complaint 11497100. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
2019 Ford EcoSport 1.0L, VIN [XXX], 23,338 miles. Ford Safety Recall 23S64/NHTSA 23V-905 was performed by Rod Baker Ford in September 2025. Repair order XXX was opened XXX and the recall work was completed/invoiced XXX at approximately 22,812 miles. The repair included replacement of the timing belt, oil-pump drive belt and oil-pump drive-belt tensioner. The Ford repair order documents the 23S64 completion and the replacement parts. On XXX, at approximately 23,338 miles, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure in traffic. This was only approximately 526 miles after the 23S64 repair. Initial diagnosis found no compression. Hawk Ford subsequently diagnosed failure/collapse of timing-belt …
NHTSA complaint 11765187, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Engine shut off while driving a vibration sounded prior to shut off so I turned off a/c then restarted engine again
NHTSA complaint 11761789. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
My 2019 Ford EcoSport suffered sudden low oil pressure and catastrophic engine failure 10 months after receiving service under Safety Recall 23S64. NHTSA Campaign 23V905. The Authorized dealership is refusing to inspect the vehicle or honor Ford's engine replacement remedy, claiming the recall is closed and too much time has passed. This leaves me with an un-remedied safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint 11761519. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 37,028 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter, a cracked flex pipe, exhaust clamps, turbo connection, and a vacuum pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was then informed of an unknown recall. The contact stated that on …
NHTSA complaint 11759174, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another dealer, Shottenkirk Ford Jasper (868 GA-515, Jasper, GA 30143); and the contact was informed that the vehicle had to experience the failure before the recall repair would be performed. The manufacturer was contacted by email, but was unable to assist with having the vehicle serviced. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint 11759201. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
For a month, every time I put gas in my car whether I filled up or just put half a tank my car will not start for 10-15 minutes. I took it to the ford place and my extended warranty wouldn't cover it. It seems like an evap valve would be covered. I have only had my car 11 months. This is going to cost over $1,000 to fix. It seems like ford should be responsible for the repairs.
NHTSA complaint 11754921. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed December 22, 2023.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst