Reliable Auto DB

2021 Ford EcoSport reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Ford EcoSport has 258 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 9 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 EcoSport years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Back-over prevention, software, Axle shaft, and Pump.

2018 Ford EcoSport SE
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

258

Per year

9

Recalls

3

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine and engine cooling (134 of 258), then Engine (85) and Powertrain (50). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 55,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 34,347 and 69,500 miles. Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 3 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 EcoSport has 396 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Ford EcoSport. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 200,237
Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2025-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 25V126000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 18,648
Recall engine and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication, pump 2023-12-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V905000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 139,730

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (258 total)

Engine and engine cooling
134
Engine
85
Powertrain
50
Electrical system
23
Fuel and propulsion system
13
Service brakes
11
Speed control
7
Steering
5
Air bags
3
Hydraulic brakes
3
Seat belts
2
Suspension
2
Wheels
2
Back-over prevention
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

3

Death reports

1

Of the 79 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 55,000 miles. The middle half fall between 34,347 and 69,500 miles.

Complaints filed per year

12021320222320239720241002025342026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My vehicles service engine light has been on for over a year now. I have contacted the service department and Ford Dealership. I was told that it was covered under Ford and I would not be charged. I have called the Ford…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-04
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking slowly and felt that the shaking was coming from the rear end. The contact…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-18
  • "For 14 months, I attempted to get active recalls fixed on the car at Downtown Sacramento Ford, which claimed to be certified pre-owned per Folsom Lake Ford but had existing recalls and issues when I bought it in March…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-26
  • "Unknown how it happened. After parking noticed back driver side tire was tilted. Took picture next morning under car to see that the cross arm was broken in half. Car was not drivable and was towed to a Ford dealership…"
    Suspension, Wheels · filed 2026-07-21
  • "Oil low pressure,oil pump is not working"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-18

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Ford EcoSport SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Ford EcoSport SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
EcoSport all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 23 29 25 MPG $2600
EcoSport front-wheel drive 1L, 3-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 29 28 MPG $2300

Specs and fitment

2nd generation (facelift, US market), 2018–2022
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 synthetic blend (1.0L EcoBoost) , 4.9 qt capacity
Tire size 205/60R16 (S/SE) to 205/50R17 (SES/Titanium)

Known issues for this generation

Ford recalled 2018-2022 EcoSports built with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine and 6F15 automatic transmission (NHTSA campaign 23V-905, Ford recall 23S64) after finding the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm can fracture or the drive belt can degrade and shed material, causing a sudden loss of engine oil pressure. That loss of pressure can seize the engine and also cut the vacuum supply for power brake assist, so Ford's remedy replaces the oil pump belt and tensioner, with the engine assembly replaced as an interim repair on vehicles that have already failed.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Ford EcoSport Next year 2022 Ford EcoSport See every Ford EcoSport model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford EcoSport reliable?

The 2021 Ford EcoSport has 258 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 9 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 5 EcoSport years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Back-over prevention, software, Axle shaft, and Pump.

What are common problems with a 2021 Ford EcoSport?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine and engine cooling (134 of 258), then Engine (85) and Powertrain (50). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 55,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 34,347 and 69,500 miles. Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, 3 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2021 Ford EcoSport more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 EcoSport has 396 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Ford EcoSport been recalled?

The 2021 Ford EcoSport has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford EcoSport?

Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 2021 Ford EcoSport with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Ford EcoSport get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Ford EcoSport is 26.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What years was the Ford EcoSport sold in the US?

The US-market EcoSport was sold for model years 2018 through 2022.

Does the Ford EcoSport have engine oil pump problems?

Yes; 2018-2022 EcoSports with the 1.0L EcoBoost were recalled after the oil pump belt tensioner could fail, cutting oil pressure (NHTSA 23V-905).