What year Ford Ecosport should I avoid?

Avoid the 2018 and 2020 model years. The 2018 Ecosport has a complaint index of 80 and the 2020 has the highest index of any year at 100, both driven mainly by engine complaints.

Which Ford Ecosport year is best?

The 2022 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 20 and only 10 total complaints. The 2021 model year is rated Good with an index of 40.

Does the Ford Ecosport have engine problems?

Yes. Engine complaints make up 87% of all 1,853 complaints across the years covered, and engine was the top problem area in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Are there recalls on the 2018 and 2020 Ford Ecosport?

Yes. The 2018 model has 2 recalls, including an oil pump drive belt/tensioner issue. The 2020 model has 3 recalls, covering rearview camera software, the same oil pump issue, and airbag module bolts.

Is the 2019 Ford Ecosport reliable?

The 2019 Ecosport is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60 and 460 total complaints, most tied to the engine at a median mileage of 67,000.

Ford Ecosport Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)

Avoid the 2018 and 2020 Ford Ecosport, which carry complaint indexes of 80 and 100 with engine problems dominating both. The 2022 model year is rated Best (complaint index 20) and 2021 is Good (index 40), making them the safer picks.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2018 Avoid 2020 Best 2022

Model years: 6; 2005–2022
NHTSA complaints: 1,853
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 41
Fires reported: 13
Top problem area: Engine

Ecosport Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Ecosport problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	0	1	1	0	0	Brakes	—	—
2018	Avoid	80	726	18	2	2	Engine	26.5	4★
2019	Caution	60	460	7	2	2	Engine	26.5	4★
2020	Avoid	100	398	7	8	3	Engine	26.5	4★
2021	Good	40	258	6	1	3	Engine	26.5	4★
2022	Best	20	10	2	0	2	Airbags	25	4★

Ecosport years to avoid: what went wrong

2020 Ford Ecosport Index 100 · 398 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2020 Ecosport has the highest complaint index of all years at 100. Engine issues account for 87% of its 398 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 71,000, and this year also recorded 8 fires and 26 injuries, more than any other year. NHTSA lists three recalls, covering rearview camera software, the same oil pump drive belt/tensioner failure as 2018, and missing bolts in frontal airbag modules. Owners described engine fires and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Transmission complaints occurred at a lower median mileage of 26,000.

2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 fuel system problems →

2018 Ford Ecosport Index 80 · 726 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2018 Ecosport has a complaint index of 80, the second-worst of any year covered. Engine complaints make up 89% of its 726 total complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 66,500. Owners reported auto shutoff/restart malfunctions that caused stalling and, in some cases, crashes. NHTSA lists two recalls, including one for an oil pump drive belt or tensioner that can fail and cause loss of engine oil pressure, and one for a mislabeled brake fluid reservoir cap. Transmission and fuel system complaints were also reported, with median mileages of 77,977 and 50,500 respectively.

2018 engine problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →2018 fuel system problems →

Most common Ford Ecosport problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine1,613 (87%)
Transmission & Powertrain221 (12%)
Other151 (8%)
Fuel System119 (6%)
Electrical System93 (5%)
Brakes78 (4%)
Airbags29 (2%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (1%)
Structure & Body18 (1%)
Steering17 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Ford Ecosport should I avoid?: Avoid the 2018 and 2020 model years. The 2018 Ecosport has a complaint index of 80 and the 2020 has the highest index of any year at 100, both driven mainly by engine complaints.
Which Ford Ecosport year is best?: The 2022 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 20 and only 10 total complaints. The 2021 model year is rated Good with an index of 40.
Does the Ford Ecosport have engine problems?: Yes. Engine complaints make up 87% of all 1,853 complaints across the years covered, and engine was the top problem area in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Are there recalls on the 2018 and 2020 Ford Ecosport?: Yes. The 2018 model has 2 recalls, including an oil pump drive belt/tensioner issue. The 2020 model has 3 recalls, covering rearview camera software, the same oil pump issue, and airbag module bolts.
Is the 2019 Ford Ecosport reliable?: The 2019 Ecosport is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60 and 460 total complaints, most tied to the engine at a median mileage of 67,000.