2021 Ford Ecosport: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 256 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (51% of complaints); the 2022 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 5 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 256 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2026
“I had recall 23S64 repaired on 04/39/26 and now my car check engine light is on and is running hot, and shaking causing a safety hazard due to recall not being completed correctly by authorized Ford dealership”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
“My entire car failed while on the beltway outside of Washington DC. I lost all power and almost got creamed by a truck. I had it towed to the Ford dealership in Falls Church, Virginia. They are telling me that I need an entire new engine and that they cannot provide a loaner car. They want me to put my credit card out and rent a car and then get reimbursed later. This is completely totally unacceptable. I almost died on the beltway and they knew about this recall for two years now, but supposedly don't have the parts. Something has to be done and immediately.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the part was not available and needed to be ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2026
“The airbag service light was on prior to purchase. It wasn't acknowledged by the dealership. When I asked about it he said "it's because the car was sitting in the cold". I took the car in to get looked at at a Ford dealership and they said my airbags are inoperable. My safety is at risk.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2026
“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 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 contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2025
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 5MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No 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; however, parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired because parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the turnpike, the vehicle made an abnormal sound before it stalled. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 (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.
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 (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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ecosport by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ford Ecosport reliable?
NHTSA has 256 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Ford Ecosport. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Ecosport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,500 miles or less.
Does the 2021 Ford Ecosport have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.