2021 Ford EcoSport · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

29owner reports
60,688median miles
$3,500median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

225 of the 258 complaints on this car are about the engine and engine cooling. 29 of those describe misfire.

Tick what matches of 29 reports

rough idle or shaking

a catalytic converter code

the light flashes

coils or plugs were replaced

it came back after repair

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine and engine cooling covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine and engine cooling on the EcoSport

PE23-015opened Sep 20, 2023

Engine And Engine Cooling · 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.

What owners paid

6 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $7,500.

$300$3,500$7,500

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.

523

1224

725

526

What owners wrote

“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”
Filed May 14, 2026

“Oil light and check engine light came on and notification for poor oil pressure out of nowhere. Car started making weird sounds and acceleration was poor. One minute the car was fine and the next I had to tow it to the dealership to get it looked at. Over 2 months now and the issue isnât resolved as the dealership hasnât received the parts that they need to repair it.”
Filed Dec 10, 2025

“The engine of my Ford 2021 Ecosport seized at 73k miles while driving - accelerating from a stoplight. The dealership has diagnosed it as a cracked cylinder head and quoted $8,000 to fix. The dealership had taken no responsibility for faulty parts/design. These engines are not safe and should not be on the road. Fors has since issued a recall for the oil pump, but the damage to my vehicle has already been done.”
Filed Jan 23, 2024 · 73,000 miles

“Check engine light came on at 24k miles. Alert on Ford Pass app said the engine wasn't heating up to operating temperature fast enough. Had a second Alert come up the next time I drove the car saying there was an electrical issue in the vehicle causing anti lock breaks and other important driver assistance features to not work including traction control.”
Filed Dec 7, 2023 · 24,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.