Owners have reported 5 crashes, 8 fires and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Ecosport. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints177
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues related to engine and engine cooling, often linked to a recall for this component. Common symptoms include engine stalling, loss of power, and illuminated warning lights such as check engine and low oil pressure. Many complaints involve difficulties with starting the vehicle, engine noise, and oil leaks, with several reports indicating engine or transmission replacements were needed. These issues typically arise around 40,000 to 85,000 miles, and some owners describe safety implications like loss of braking power and steering control. Buyers should be aware that parts for recall repairs are often reported as unavailable or delayed, potentially leaving issues unresolved.
Owner complaints97
ENGINE
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently report engine failures linked to the oil pump drive belt and tensioner issues, often resulting in sudden loss of power. Complaints typically describe symptoms such as the check engine light activating, low oil pressure warnings, and engine overheating, with failures occurring at various mileages, often around 50,000 to 98,000 miles. Some reports involve engine fires and injuries, highlighting significant safety concerns. The recall-related repairs are reportedly delayed due to parts backorders, leaving many vehicles out of service for extended periods. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly regarding the oil pump recall and its impact on engine reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 3 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints48
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently experiences powertrain issues, primarily involving engine failures and transmission problems. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power, hesitation during acceleration, high engine revving without corresponding speed increase, and vehicles entering limp mode. These issues often occur after extended driving or at highway speeds, with some reports indicating failures around 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with instances of fires and loss of vehicle control, particularly during high-speed driving, posing risks of collision. Buyers should be aware of ongoing recall-related concerns, with parts availability and repair delays frequently mentioned.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport report several recurring issues, primarily related to the engine and its components. Complaints frequently mention oil pump failures leading to engine overheating, loss of power, and in some cases, fires. Backup camera malfunctions, such as distorted or blank screens, are also noted. Many owners describe symptoms like check engine lights, engine stalling, and inability to start the vehicle, often occurring after recall repairs. Several reports involve incidents at highway speeds, highlighting potential safety risks associated with these failures. The issues often arise within a few years of ownership, with some owners expressing difficulties in obtaining timely recall remedies.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the instrument cluster and backup camera. Common symptoms include malfunctioning instrument cluster warnings, backup camera glitches, and unexpected screen behavior impacting navigation and radio functions. Several complaints also describe problems with the vehicle's auto start-stop function, leading to stalls and requiring manual intervention. Reports often involve vehicles with mileage around 25,000 to 35,000 miles, with some owners experiencing persistent electrical failures due to water intrusion. Safety implications are noted, such as unintended acceleration and engine stalling, which may pose risks during driving.
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several issues with the service brakes of the 2020 Ford EcoSport. Common symptoms include abnormal sounds such as squeaking or groaning when the brake pedal is depressed, particularly when reversing, and in some cases, brake failure. Complaints frequently mention the need for brake system repairs at relatively low mileages, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 8,600 miles. Safety implications are noted, with multiple reports of brake failure leading to reliance on the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. These issues are often accompanied by other mechanical problems, such as engine troubles, which could suggest a broader pattern of mechanical reliability concerns.
Owner complaints6
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with airbag deployment during crashes, with four out of six complaints involving accidents. Common symptoms include airbags failing to deploy upon impact, even in significant collisions, and in one case, airbags deploying without any apparent cause while driving. These incidents occur across a range of mileages, from approximately 20,310 to 90,000 miles. Two injuries are reported, including a concussion and soreness following crashes where airbags did not deploy as expected. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential airbag deployment issues, especially in used models with similar mileage.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unexpected loss of power and acceleration problems. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to accelerate as needed, sudden power loss, and warning lights such as the check engine light or wrench icon illuminating. These issues often occur during routine driving situations such as starting from a stop or overtaking, with some reports indicating occurrences at mileage as high as approximately 73,950 miles. Safety implications are noted, with one owner describing a near collision due to the vehicle's slow acceleration and another experiencing unintended acceleration while braking. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns that prospective buyers should consider, especially given the recurring nature of the complaints.
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners report issues with the 2020 Ford Ecosport related to sudden loss of power and steering lock while driving, sometimes accompanied by brake lock. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle abruptly stopping, with one owner experiencing this issue twice, leading to engine replacement each time. Another owner describes suspension problems causing the vehicle to move unpredictably. These incidents typically occur during normal driving conditions and have been reported to happen both on expressways and local roads, indicating potential safety risks due to loss of vehicle control. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially since some incidents occurred within the mileage covered by the powertrain warranty.
Owner complaints3
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2020 Ford Ecosport report issues related to the engine oil pump belt tensioner, which can lead to a loss of engine oil pressure and engine damage. Symptoms frequently include a sudden inability to control the vehicle's speed and, in some cases, the vehicle failing to start after shutting down. One report mentions that the tensioner arm broke while driving, nearly causing an accident. These problems appear to occur without prior warning or error messages. Additionally, a separate incident involving a crash resulted in injuries, although it was unrelated to the suspension or engine issues. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring engine-related problems and their safety implications.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
