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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.

256

Complaints

6

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

2

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Ford Ecosport have filed 256 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2021 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine and its cooling, named in 134 of them (52%). The typical failure was reported at 55,500 miles, the median across the 78 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

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)

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 256.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 134 52%
ENGINE 84 33%
POWER TRAIN 48 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 11 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 3%
STEERING 5 2%
AIR BAGS 3 1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 1%
SEAT BELTS 2 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 100.

2021 2025 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured

Vehicle engine stalled while driving on interstate highway, and it went into limb mode. Vehicle seized and was unresponsive and unable to move. It was incredibly hazardous. Vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dealership. To date, dealership has not provided a rental vehicle and is unresponsive to recall assistance.

NHTSA complaint 11634208. 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.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11747390, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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,

NHTSA complaint 11746512, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine failed after repair of15000 miles with same break down The dealership did not clean out shredded timing belt and the second belt was shredded

NHTSA complaint 11745903. 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 10 2 —
2020 391 3 —
2019 454 2 1
2018 722 2 —

Other 2021 Ford models

F-150 979 Bronco Sport 675 Explorer 411 Mustang Mach E 340 Escape 332 F-150 Hybrid 247 Expedition 228 Bronco 223

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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