Second generation
2020 Ford EcoSport
The most reported problem on the 2020 Ford EcoSport is engine failure, with 86 complaints, usually around 64,000 miles.
- 398owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 67,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your EcoSport doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Ford EcoSport reliable?
The 2020 Ford EcoSport has 398 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.7 times the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 5 EcoSport model years since 2018, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- At 57 complaints for each year on the road, the 2020 runs close to the 2019 (58) and above the 2021 (43).
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Engine failure has 86 complaints and oil consumption has 82, out of 398 in all. A quarter of the 42 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 55,000 miles, and half by about 64,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 16 of the 398 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 8 mention a fire and 26 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 7, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- engine failure, oil consumption and stalling all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 23V-905. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 178 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 90. So far in 2026, 44 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 86 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
398 complaints is 1.8 times the median 2020 model on this site and 1.7 times the median 2020 SUV. Among the 4 EcoSport model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Ford EcoSport
Ford filed 64 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Ford EcoSport. 16 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 66 complaints
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2018-2020 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A7 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be caused by a damaged circuit on the 12A581 harness.
1 more on this problem
Some 2018-2020 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a reoccurring illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04DB. This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 13 bulletins · 9 complaints
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation.
Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software In all the affected vehicles, due to an error in the SYNC software, you may experience SYNC system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles.
11 more on this problem
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various FordPass/LincolnWay connectivity concerns including but not limited to: missing activation prompt (pop-up) on the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate ...
Some 2019-2024 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a programming Error - "INSTL_ERR12" while programming APIM using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) or experience a frozen screen which says "updating system software" or no ...
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software.
Some 2016-2021 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode.
Some 2018 Focus, 2019 Fiesta, 2019-2020 Transit, 2019-2020 Transit Connect, and 2020 EcoSport vehicles may exhibit a concern where the radio randomly seeks through FM stations when a Bluetooth device is connected and streaming audio.
Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit incomplete user authorization, no authorization pop-up on the SYNC infotainment system, vehicle connectivity concerns, vehicle location disabled message and/or various FordPass/LincolnWay App ...
Some 2016-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a SYNC 3 Touchscreen may experience the volume control unresponsive from the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM) and steering volume controls when using Apple Car Play.
Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit the infotainment system stating in Michigan when trying to select a point of interest using the push to talk feature on the navigation system.
SSM 48649 2020 Various Vehicles - Equipped With Telematics Control Unit (TCU) - Incomplete User Authorization, Vehicle Connectivity/Location And/Or FordPass/LincolnWay Concerns Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit incomplete user ...
SSM 48551 2020 Various Vehicles Equipped With SYNC 3 Various SYNC Performance Related Concerns Some 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit various performance related concerns such as: intermittent frozen or blank screen, voice prompts with ...
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
178 complaints came in 2024, 2.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2020 Ford EcoSport
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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 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.
Risk and remedy
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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.
All 3 recalls on the 2020 Ford EcoSport, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Ford EcoSport?
Engine failure, with 86 of the 398 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 64,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford EcoSport problems start?
Of the 166 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 55,000 miles and half by about 67,000.
Is the 2020 Ford EcoSport better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has about as many complaints as the 2019 and more complaints than the 2021: 57 a year against 58 and 43.
How many 2020 Ford EcoSport complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
16 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2020 Ford EcoSport?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 23V-905. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.