2021 Ford Ecosport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#4 most-complained of 5 Ecosport years
The 2021 Ford Ecosport ranks 4th worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 25 and a "Good" verdict relative to other Ecosport years. It has 258 complaints, mostly engine-related (215 complaints, 83% share), plus 3 recalls.
- Complaints
- 258
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 25 city / 29 hwy
Top 2021 Ford Ecosport problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine215 (83%)
- Transmission & Powertrain50 (19%)
- Electrical System23 (9%)
- Other21 (8%)
- Brakes14 (5%)
- Fuel System14 (5%)
- Steering5 (2%)
- Airbags3 (1%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (1%)
- Seat Belts2 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls at highway speed with a message to shift to park and restart, sometimes recurring after restart.
- Transmission slips out of gear unexpectedly, including a case where the vehicle rolled backward on its own.
- Vehicle loses drive power or locks up and won't move, in one case at low mileage shortly after purchase.
- Brakes reported as inoperable during stops, including failure of the parking brake as backup.
- Electrical faults trigger multiple warning lights along with loss of power, and in one case smoke from under the hood.
- Faulty sensors cause the car to behave as if in park, locking the wheel and disabling drive-assist features.
2021 Ford Ecosport recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
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: 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.
- NHTSA 25V126000Feb 28, 2025Transmission & Powertrain18,648 vehicles
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: 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.
- 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.
2021 Ford Ecosport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Ecosport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Ecosport reliable?
- Relative to other Ecosport model years, 2021 ranks 4th worst out of 5 years tracked, with a complaint index of 25 and a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2018-2020 model years.
- What problems does the 2021 Ford Ecosport have?
- NHTSA lists 258 complaints for the 2021 Ecosport, with the Engine as the top problem area at 215 complaints (83% share), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 50 complaints (19% share).
- Does the 2021 Ford Ecosport have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 Ecosport, covering the rearview camera software, front axle half shafts disconnecting from the transmission, and the oil pump drive belt or tensioner.
- How does the 2021 Ecosport compare to other years?
- The 2021 Ecosport has a complaint index of 25, better than 2018 (100, Avoid), 2019 (50, Caution), and 2020 (75, Avoid), but worse than 2022 (0, Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Ecosport?
- The 2021 Ecosport gets an EPA-rated 26.5 mpg combined (25 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.