Does the 2020 Ford Ecosport have an engine recall?

Yes. Recall campaign 23V905000, reported December 22, 2023, covers failure of the oil pump drive belt or tensioner, which can cause loss of engine oil pressure. Ford's remedy is replacing the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt free of charge.

How common are engine complaints on the 2020 Ford Ecosport?

Engine-related complaints make up 346 of the 398 total complaints filed for the 2020 model, or 87% of all complaints, according to NHTSA data.

At what mileage do 2020 Ecosport engine problems usually start?

NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 71,000 miles for engine-area complaints on the 2020 Ecosport.

Are the engine failures dangerous?

NHTSA records show 7 fires and 3 injuries linked to engine complaints on the 2020 Ecosport, though no crashes were reported in this data.

Is the engine problem worse on the 2020 Ecosport than other years?

The 2020 model's 87% share of complaints tied to the engine is close to the 2018 (89%), 2019 (88%), and 2021 (83%) model years, and much higher than the 2022 model's 20% share.

2020 Ford Ecosport Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 346 of 398 complaints (87%) filed against the 2020 Ford Ecosport, mostly tied to oil pump drive belt failure. NHTSA recall 23V905000 covers this defect, with 7 fires and 3 injuries reported and a median failure mileage of 71,000.

Engine complaints: 346; 87% of 398
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 7
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 71,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Oil pressure warning light comes on suddenly followed by loud knocking or grinding noises from the engine.
The rubber teeth of the oil pump drive belt break apart, clog the oil pump, and send debris into the pistons and engine block.
Sudden loss of oil pressure leads to engine seizure while driving, sometimes on the highway.
Smoke or fire appears from the engine bay shortly after a knocking or thumping noise, in some cases igniting a small fire under the vehicle.
Owners report jerking or jumping when shifting gears, along with difficulty climbing hills, even before oil pressure symptoms appear.
Some owners say dealerships already knew about the recall but still returned the car to service before the oil pump failed.

When 2020 Ford Ecosport engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 13, 2022, latest Sep 17, 2026.

346 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2022 to Sep 2026; peak May 2024 (24).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Ford Ecosport

NHTSA 23V905000Dec 22, 2023Engine139,730 vehicles
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: 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.

Engine complaints by Ecosport model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2018645 (89%)
2019405 (88%)
2020346 (87%)
2021215 (83%)
20222 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Ford Ecosport have an engine recall?: Yes. Recall campaign 23V905000, reported December 22, 2023, covers failure of the oil pump drive belt or tensioner, which can cause loss of engine oil pressure. Ford's remedy is replacing the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt free of charge.
How common are engine complaints on the 2020 Ford Ecosport?: Engine-related complaints make up 346 of the 398 total complaints filed for the 2020 model, or 87% of all complaints, according to NHTSA data.
At what mileage do 2020 Ecosport engine problems usually start?: NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 71,000 miles for engine-area complaints on the 2020 Ecosport.
Are the engine failures dangerous?: NHTSA records show 7 fires and 3 injuries linked to engine complaints on the 2020 Ecosport, though no crashes were reported in this data.
Is the engine problem worse on the 2020 Ecosport than other years?: The 2020 model's 87% share of complaints tied to the engine is close to the 2018 (89%), 2019 (88%), and 2021 (83%) model years, and much higher than the 2022 model's 20% share.