Diagsheet

Second generation

2021 Ford EcoSport

The most reported problem on the 2021 Ford EcoSport is stalling, with 52 complaints, usually around 54,000 miles.

  • 258owner complaints
  • 3recalls
  • 6involved a crash
  • 50,000median miles at failure

Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

miles

2021 Ford EcoSport
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is your EcoSport doing?

Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.

Is the 2021 Ford EcoSport reliable?

The 2021 Ford EcoSport has 258 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 5 EcoSport model years since 2018, it has the 4th 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 2020 and 2022
Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 57, the 2021 43 and the 2022 2.
Top problem
Stalling leads with 52 of the 258 complaints (20%), ahead of engine failure at 37. A quarter of the 25 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 21,000 miles, and half by about 54,000.
Crash, fire and injury reports
8 of the 258 complaints (3%) 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), 6 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 3 people were hurt. The reports record 2 deaths.
Recalls behind the top problems
stalling, engine failure and misfire 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
Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 100, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 34 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 stalls or loses power while driving, 52 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Every complaint with a mileage97 of 258
97 complaints state a mileage. The most, 16, fall between 60,000 and 70,000 miles; 1 are past 150,000.
Burns oil or oil level rises16 reportsrecall

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

        2021 Ford EcoSport258
        Median 2021 model here (80 vehicles)190
        Median 2021 SUV here (50)216

        258 complaints is 1.4 times the median 2021 model on this site and 1.2 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 4 EcoSport model years here it ranks 4th 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 2021 Ford EcoSport

        Ford filed 42 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Ford EcoSport. 9 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 · 29 complaints

        • Service bulletinTSB 22-2011Jan 24, 2022

          Some 2021 EcoSport vehicles may exhibit a condition where the cruise control system is inoperative with an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator and illuminated brake warning indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0504 stored in the ...

        • Service bulletinTSB 21-2422Nov 30, 2021

          Some 2021 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a condition where the auto start/stop system is inoperative or cruise control disabled with an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) and/or brake warning indicator with ...

        1 more on this problem
        • Service bulletinSSM 50067Aug 27, 2021

          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.

        Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 6 bulletins · 8 complaints

        • Service bulletinSSM 54116Aug 7, 2025

          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.

        • Service bulletin24B47Jul 23, 2024

          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.

        4 more on this problem
        • Service bulletinSSM 52722Jul 16, 2024

          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 ...

        • Service bulletinSSM 52704Jul 9, 2024

          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 ...

        • Service bulletinSSM 50375Dec 23, 2021

          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.

        • Service bulletinSSM 50039Aug 16, 2021

          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.

        Complaints filed by year

        Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2021: 1, 2022: 3, 2023: 23, 2024: 97, 2025: 100, 2026: 341'213'2223'2397'24100'2534'26

        100 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        PE23-015opened Sep 20, 2023
        Engine · model years 2018 to 2021

        Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.

        NHTSA summary
        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.

        Recalls that include the 2021 Ford EcoSport

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        25V-442Jun 27, 2025
        Back Over Prevention:Software

        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
        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.
        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.
        25V-126Feb 28, 2025
        Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        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.
        23V-905Dec 22, 2023
        Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Pump

        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
        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.
        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.

        All 3 recalls on the 2021 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 2021 Ford EcoSport?

        Stalling, with 52 of the 258 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 54,000 miles.

        At what mileage do 2021 Ford EcoSport problems start?

        Of the 97 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 21,000 miles and half by about 50,000.

        Is the 2021 Ford EcoSport better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?

        Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 43 a year against 57 and 2.

        How many 2021 Ford EcoSport complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?

        8 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.

        Is there a recall for stalling on the 2021 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.

        Other model years