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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2021 Ford Ecosport

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 259 safety complaints about the 2021 Ford Ecosport with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 5 people were injured and 2 deaths are recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine and its cooling, named in 134 complaints, 52% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 55,000 miles, the median across the 79 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

259 complaints on file

259

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

5

People injured

2

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 fell 43% year on year: 63 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 110 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 134 · 52%
ENGINE 86 · 33%
POWER TRAIN 50 · 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21 · 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 12 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 3%
STEERING 6 · 2%
AIR BAGS 3 · 1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 · 1%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 1%
0 54 108

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 259.

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 2025 at 100.

108 81 54 27
21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 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 2021 Ford ECOSPORT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV 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

3 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

25V126000 · February 28, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 EcoSport vehicles. The front axle half shafts may disconnect from the transmission, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a disconnected half shaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S12.

Ford Motor Company · up to 18,648 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

23V905000 · December 22, 2023

The defect
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

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 deaths · crash · towed

On 7/18/2023, this vehicle was involved in a fatal crash. The vehicle stopped moving and would not proceed forward after stopping major roadway. A motorcycle struck the vehicle from behind and the two occupants were killed. The owner of the vehicle contacted the dealership where she bought it from on 7/1/2023, in which they did not locate the issue. The owner of the vehicle said that the issue has happened numerous times before the crash occurred.

NHTSA complaint 11540661. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash

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

NHTSA complaint 11768067, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · towed · 41,000 miles

The contact owned a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle experience a loss of automotive power. The contact stated that black smoke was leaking from under the hood and the driver-side door would not unlock or unlatch to open. In addition, the contact stated that she managed to exit through the front passenger side door before the vehicle caught on fire. The contact sustained a bruise and scrapes on her left leg however, did not seek medical attention. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. A police report

NHTSA complaint 11672319, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Airbag failure (VERY IMPORTANT) I am reporting a serious vehicle safety issue involving airbag failure. I was driving a vehicle rented through Turo from Moon Rental Corporation when I was involved in a rear-end collision (hit-and-run) on the highway where I was going 65 and hit by a large SUV going 80 MPH. During the crash, the airbags did not deploy as photo, video, and police witness confirm. The impact was significant enough that airbags should have deployed, and I sustained injuries as a result. This raises serious concerns about the safety and condition of the vehicle, including possible defects or failure to properly maintain critical safety systems. The owner runs a rental car

NHTSA complaint 11730735, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11762065, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

43,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking slowly and felt that the shaking was coming from the rear end. The contact stated that over time, the shaking was felt in the front end of the vehicle, and the steering wheel was wobbling, and the front seats were shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA complaint 11757655. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11752911, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Unknown how it happened. After parking noticed back driver side tire was tilted. Took picture next morning under car to see that the cross arm was broken in half. Car was not drivable and was towed to a Ford dealership Seems like arm just snapped without notice.

NHTSA complaint 11751722. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Oil low pressure,oil pump is not working

NHTSA complaint 11751321. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Ecosport

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 11 2 —
2020 398 3 —
2019 460 2 1
2018 726 2 —

Other 2021 Ford models

F-150 1,018 Bronco Sport 699 Explorer 430 Escape 348 Mustang Mach E 347 F-150 Hybrid 259 Expedition 235 Bronco 229

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

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.

Where these numbers come from

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.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst