YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Ecosport Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 215 of 258 total complaints (83%) for the 2021 Ford Ecosport, with a median failure mileage of 55,000. Recall 23V905000 covers oil pump drive belt failure, matching many of the reported symptoms.

Engine complaints
215
83% of 258
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
55,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles display a low oil pressure warning and lose power, sometimes requiring the engine to be pulled off the road or towed.
  • Owners describe unexpected stalling at highway speeds along with a dashboard message instructing them to shift to park and restart the vehicle.
  • A metallic striking noise from underneath the car is reported alongside diagnoses pointing to oil pump and turbocharger failure.
  • Some owners report the engine required full replacement after diagnostic codes showed metal contamination in the oil.
  • Loss of acceleration above certain speeds occurs with check engine and wrench warning lights illuminated, traced to turbocharger hose and gasket issues.

When 2021 Ford Ecosport engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 17, 2022, latest Sep 4, 2026.

2021 Ford Ecosport engine complaints: complaints filed per month19Jun 2022Nov 2023Apr 2024Sep 2024Feb 2025Jul 2025Dec 2025May 2026
215 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2025 (19).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Ford Ecosport

  1. 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.

  1. 2018645 (89%)
  2. 2019405 (88%)
  3. 2020346 (87%)
  4. 2021215 (83%)
  5. 20222 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

Are engine problems common on the 2021 Ford Ecosport?
Yes. Engine-related issues make up 215 of the 258 total complaints filed for the 2021 model year, or 83% of all complaints.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Ecosport engine?
Yes. Recall 23V905000 covers 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles for a possible oil pump drive belt or tensioner failure that can cause loss of engine oil pressure. The remedy is a free replacement of the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt.
At what mileage do 2021 Ecosport engine problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 55,000 miles for engine-related complaints on this model year.
Has the engine problem caused any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 2 crashes and 1 injury linked to engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Ecosport, with no reported fires.
Is the engine problem better or worse than other Ecosport years?
The 83% share for 2021 is lower than 2018 (89%), 2019 (88%), and 2020 (87%), but far higher than 2022, which shows only 20% and just 2 complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.