Owners have reported 6 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries and 2 deaths to NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Ecosport. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints133
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report frequent engine stalling and failure in the 2021 Ford EcoSport, often associated with the oil pump drive tensioner belt and engine cooling issues. Complaints frequently mention symptoms like illuminated warning lights (e.g., check engine, low oil pressure), engine stalling, and overheating, with some describing abnormal sounds and white smoke. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 80,000 miles. Safety implications include a reported crash and instances of vehicles losing motive power on highways, though specific crash details are limited. For potential buyers, the data suggests ongoing recall-related repairs with parts availability challenges, resulting in prolonged repair times.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints45
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Ford Ecosport frequently report issues related to engine oil pump failures, resulting in low oil pressure warnings and engine breakdowns. Complaints often describe symptoms such as check engine lights, unusual noises, poor acceleration, and engine vibrations. These issues commonly occur at low mileages, sometimes under 10,000 miles, and are exacerbated by delays in repair due to parts shortages. Safety implications include reports of loss of power and stalling, which could pose risks during driving. Prospective buyers should be aware of potential engine reliability concerns and the possibility of extended repair times due to parts availability.
Owner complaints27
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2021 Ford EcoSport, particularly involving sudden loss of power and engine stalling while driving. Common symptoms include the vehicle decelerating unexpectedly, engine seizure, and warning lights for oil pressure and powertrain malfunctions. These issues often occur around 24,000 to 106,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated failures even after repairs. Safety implications are notable, with one complaint involving a crash and others describing dangerous situations like the vehicle losing power on highways. For potential buyers, these patterns suggest a need for caution regarding the powertrain reliability of this model year.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with engine power loss, often describing situations where the vehicle unexpectedly decelerates or loses all power while driving. Several complaints highlight the oil pump drive belt and tensioner as potential sources of engine failure, with some reports indicating these issues occur around 9,600 to 10,300 miles. Additionally, there are reports of brake malfunctions leading to crashes, and instances of unintended acceleration in low-speed areas. Safety concerns are evident, with complaints of the vehicle stalling in traffic, posing risks of crashes or loss of control. This information is crucial for potential buyers evaluating the reliability and safety of a used 2021 Ford EcoSport.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2021 Ford EcoSport's electrical system. Complaints frequently mention sudden loss of engine power, often while driving at highway speeds, leading to dangerous situations such as near-collisions and complete vehicle shutdowns. Symptoms include illuminated warning lights, engine stalls, and the inability to restart the vehicle, with some owners noting these issues around 30,000 to 41,000 miles. Safety concerns are significant, with reports of one fire resulting in injury and one crash involving fatalities due to the vehicle's unexpected stoppage. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues related to engine stalling and power loss, often accompanied by a failure of the power steering and braking systems. These symptoms typically occur while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, leading to hazardous situations. Complaints often mention these issues arising after approximately 15,000 miles, with one case noting problems at around 87,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one report of an injury and several instances of vehicles becoming unresponsive on the road. Additionally, owners describe prolonged periods without their vehicle due to repair delays, with some vehicles held at dealerships for extended times without resolution.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report issues with the braking system in the 2021 Ford EcoSport, including instances where brakes become inoperable, leading to a crash in one case. Complaints frequently mention brakes failing to engage when needed, such as when stopped at a traffic light or while parked, with one owner describing the vehicle rolling unexpectedly. Some reports are linked to a recall affecting engine oil pressure, which could impact braking performance due to loss of power braking assist. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with one specific case at approximately 98,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of collisions due to brake failure, as evidenced by one reported rear-end crash.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Ford Ecosport report issues with airbag functionality, specifically citing failures to deploy during a collision and inoperability warnings. In one instance, an owner describes a crash where the airbags did not deploy, resulting in an injury, despite the severity of the impact. Another owner notes the airbag service light being on prior to purchase, with a subsequent dealership inspection revealing inoperable airbags. These complaints highlight significant safety implications, with one involving a crash and injury. Potential buyers should be aware of these airbag-related concerns, particularly in used models, as they may indicate underlying issues with airbag systems.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Ford Ecosport report issues with vehicle speed control related to engine failure due to low oil pressure. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly while driving, with one owner describing the car going from 70 mph to a complete stop rapidly, and another detailing a loss of vehicle control at 65 mph. Both reports indicate that low oil pressure leads to significant engine damage, which in turn causes the vehicle to become inoperable. These incidents occur without prior warning, aside from intermittent oil light alerts, and result in a complete loss of power steering and acceleration, posing significant safety risks, especially at high speeds. The complaints do not specify a consistent mileage range, but both involve serious safety implications due to sudden loss of control on the road.
Owner complaints2
SEAT BELTS
Owners report issues with the driver's side seat belt in the 2021 Ford Ecosport, specifically noting problems with the seat belt failing to retract or extend properly. Complaints frequently mention that the seat belt either remains loose and does not tighten during braking or fails to extend when needed. These issues have been observed at relatively low mileage, around 6,000 miles. While no crashes or injuries are reported, the inconsistent operation of the seat belt could potentially compromise safety by not securing the driver adequately. This information is crucial for used car buyers to consider, especially regarding the reliability of the seat belt system.
