2021 Ford Ecosport

On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the message “Engine Overheating” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. An alternate dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be picked up by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ID

11775628

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

Mileage

57,000 mi

While driving, the front right passenger window suddenly shattered. There was no damage to the glass prior to the incident, and no projectiles in the car to indicate anything hitting the window. There was no external damage to the car to indicate a projectile, and nothing mixed in with the glass or on the road where the incident occurred. Luckily, this happened before I had picked up my fiance, but had she been in the car she would have been hit with the shards of glass, as it all shattered into the vehicle. We called the dealership we received the car from, as well as a mechanic to come repair the broken window. While fixing the window, he pointed out to us that the seals on our windows had not been placed correctly, and had been placed incorrectly on all four of our windows, meaning any of our windows-- including the repair-- could shatter again at any given moment, as the glass is in contact with the metal. We have no previous collisions, nor incidents, that would have left any damage in our seals, and all of the seals have consistent misplacement in our car. He confirmed to us that this was a defect from the manufacturing of this vehicle, as our windows have not been touched nor damaged since our purchase, and there are no records of this vehicle having ever been in any related incidents that would leave our seals in the way they are now.

NHTSA ID

11774475

Incident

Oct 28, 2026

when driving the car, it will turn off all of a sudden and a message saying emergency power this is very dangers as it happened to my daughter in the middle of the road it will also stall to turn on after getting gas and you have to sit there and turn the car on and off till it decides to tune on this car has less than 50k on it.

NHTSA ID

11771328

Incident

Oct 11, 2026

XXX: A 2021 Ford EcoSport S (VIN: [XXX]) was towed to Mid-State Ford for the 1.0L EcoBoost Oil Pump Drive Belt Tensioner Safety Recall (Recall 23S64 / NHTSA 23V905). Prior to the tow, the transmission and drivetrain functioned flawlessly with zero slipping, codes, or mechanical noise. XXX: Service advisor [XXX] contacted the consumer to verify the engine failure was tied to the safety recall, documenting the initial vehicle intake scope. The transmission remained completely sound. XXX: [XXX] confirmed the new recall engine installation was successful, but noted a catalytic converter exhaust leak. The shop agreed to fix it under the 8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emissions Defect Warranty. No transmission faults existed or were reported. • XXX: [XXX] called back to state the engine was good, but the vehicle now suffered a severe transmission torque converter issue. Mechanically, this specific component was crushed when technicians forced the engine block and transmission bellhousing together while misaligned during reassembly 5:22 PM: Consumer discussed the newly created transmission damage with [XXX]. • 5:23 PM: Consumer called GM [XXX]; the receptionist screened the call and refused to transfer it. 5:33 PM: Consumer filed a case with Ford Corporate (Complaint #CXH-XXX who confirmed local dealer workmanship liability. 6:24 PM: GM [XXX] returned the call and pressured the consumer to use their personal extended warranty. Consumer firmly refused, citing Section III, Item B of their First Mile Platinum contract, which strictly excludes coverage for workshop repair negligence and non-factory errors.XXX: GM [XXX] called again, making an aggressive, bad-faith attempt to force the consumer to take a broken vehicle, falsely claiming a slipping transmission is "ok to drive." When the consumer refused the extreme safety hazard, [XXX] threatened that all this will fall back on consumer INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770953

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

I've had the same recall fixed on this car three times and once again on XXX myself and my husband were in the car driving and the wrench light and engine light came on and my car went into limp mode it wouldn't go above like 35mph I actually caught this on video and my husband was trying to make a u turn in a parking lot to come back home and the motor lost all power,no braking power or steering which caused us to hit a pole and this time caused whiplash on my husband and four fractured vertabre in my back,I've been reporting to ford and threw this service after the third oil pump tensor belt fix that the motor was still loosing power out of no where and ford has refused to help me and now this same recall has caused an actual crash this time and I've got major injuries this time,ford needs held accountable for this,I've had my car at [XXX],only six months after buying the car and they told me it was the purge valve and made me wait for over two months for the part and they finally got the part in and two minutes later I hit the freeway as soon as my husband got up to around 65 the motor lost power and we almost got hit by a semi for the second time due to this recall and I got ahold of fords complaint department and they finally helped me get my car into [XXX] and my car was there for five months straight waiting on the parts for the oil pump tensor belt recall after buckeye fixed the car it ran for a couple of months and then the car did the same thing again on the freeway the motor lost power again on the freeway myself my husband and our boy have almost gotten killed several times due to this car shutting down with no warning at all,then my car was fixed again in November of 2025 at [XXX] and they had to replace the same part again,and as soon as I got my car back it has been acting funny and then I've reported this to ford over and over and they literally refuse to do anything about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11768067

Incident

Sep 27, 2026

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 Customer Service Department about my vehicle, but nothing seems to be correct. I am making a car payment, but I am not getting service down on my vehicle especially when it's not my fault, I have these issues. I thought better of Ford. Every time I get gas in my vehicle it will not start, it's so frustrating and embarring I still have a warranty on my Ford, I am completely disgusted I literally sit there and repeat 3 times, and it finally starts, I have done everything it says to do I even replaced a purge valve, and my light comes back on. Also, when I am driving my car acts like its losing power. So now they are staying I may have a small gas leak and for me to have them put my car on a Smoke Machine. I just want my car fixed so I will feel safe driving I am even afraid to drive to [XXX] to see my daughter my car is a 2021. Also, I have either 2 recalls or 3 recalls, and I have an issue with my powertrain: Action Recommended. warning light. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11762065

Incident

Mar 11, 2024

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 stated that over time, the shaking was felt in the front end of the vehicle, and the steering wheel was wobbling, and the front seats were shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V126000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ID

11757655

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

Mileage

43,000 mi

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 of 2024. My car finally broke down on 07/11/26 and was towed on 07/12/26 to the Elk Grove Ford dealership and "looked at" on 07/13/26. Today is 07/26/26, and I am still in a rental that takes a lot more gas than my regular car. I was told that they fixed the recall, but there is an issue with the turbo boost, and it is covered under warranty. They do not know when they are getting the part, but they are "working on it". I missed 4 days of work just from 07/11/26 to today 07/26/26 ontop of another 20 missed days since purchasing the car due to maintenance and engine issues related to the ongoing recall.

NHTSA ID

11752911

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change

Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement

Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation. This may be due to interference from the phone being connected into the media hub using a universal serial bus (USB) cable during SYNC system boot up. To correct his condition, advise the customer to disconnect the USB cable from the phone. If the center display screen displays normally, reconnect the phone. If the concern persists, disconnect the phone from the USB cable, cycle the ignition off and open the driver's door so the interior lights come on. Close the door, start the vehicle and wait for the center display screen to boot up past the start-up animation and display the home screen, then reconnect the phone using the USB cable. If the concern persists after this procedure, follow normal Workshop Manual diagnostics for a blank screen concern.

CERTAIN 2018-2024 MODEL YEAR VARIOUS VEHICLES — UPDATE SYNC SOFTWARE

Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software

Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a telematics control unit module (TCU) may exhibit the Location toggle button in the Connectivity setting menu grayed out with an inability to switch it off.