Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ecosport, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling134
- Engine87
- Power train51
- Electrical system23
- Unknown or other21
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Service brakes12
- Vehicle speed control7
- Steering6
- Air bags3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 21 2021 Ecosport vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Ford Ecosport failed the safety check 1.07% of the time — 13% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 16,376 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2021
26,365 new Ford Ecosport cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Italy (11,952), Germany (5,071), France (1,865).
- Average mass
- 1,361 kg
- Average CO₂
- 136 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 90 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 95% · Diesel 5.4%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
9,754 Ford Ecosport cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 7.2 l/100 km on the road against 6.0 in the WLTP test (+20%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,754 | 7.2 | 6.0 | +20% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2021 Ford Ecosport cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp) and 1.0 petrol (74 kW, 99 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 452 |
| 1.0 petrol | 74 kW 99 hp | 43 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
504 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 26% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €29,271.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde138
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld68
- Band beschadigd47
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht18
- Band onvoldoende profiel15
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm13
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan8
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
5,091 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 13 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 172 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 88% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.8% | 3.3% |
| Brakes | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Visibility | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.6% | 0.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford EcoSport SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 19.1 % |
| 2021 Ford EcoSport SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 20.4 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 8.4–9.2 L/100 km (about 26–28 mpg US), CO₂ 197–217 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoSport · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| EcoSport AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 8.0 | 9.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Ford Ecosport.
| 2025360 27 Jun 2025 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Canadian re… |
| 2025104 2 Mar 2025 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the front axle shafts may not have been installed properly. As a result, the front axle shaft(s) could become damaged and/or separa… |
| 2023704 22 Dec 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine oil pump tensioner and/or the engine oil pump drive belt could fail and cause a loss of engine oil pressure. If this hap… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2021 Ford Ecosport: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11006862 | 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. |
| 11006036 | Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software In all the affected vehicles, due to an error in the SYNC software, you may experience SYNC system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles. This may result in a black infotainment screen that does not affect rear view camera, incorrect language setting, erased or unsaved radio presets, and potential inability to perform software updates. |
| 11005746 | Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various FordPass/LincolnWay connectivity concerns including but not limited to: missing activation prompt (pop-up) on the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through FordPass/LincolnWay, incorrect location/global positioning system (GPS) reported through FordPass/LincolnWay, problems with remote commands being performed through FordPass/LincolnWay, incorrect data/information reported on FordPass/LincolnWay. These symptoms will be accompanied by diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B156D:89 in t |
| 11005710 | Some 2019-2024 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a programming Error - "INSTL_ERR12" while programming APIM using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) or experience a frozen screen which says "updating system software" or no progress/response from module using the universal USB updater. This may be due to low memory in the APIM commonly occurring on software level NU5T-14G381-AB/BB. The current software level can be verified in the SYNC tab of Professional Technician System (PTS) or using the vehicle's center display screen, Settings > General > About. To correct the conditio |
| 11003146 | Some 2019-2024 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a programming Error - "INSTL_ERR12" while programming APIM using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System, or experience a frozen screen which says "updating system software" or no progress/response from module using the universal USB updater. This may be due to low memory in the APIM commonly occurring on software level |
| 11001646 | This article supersedes TSB 23-2307 to update the Service Procedure and vehicle model years affected. Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Transit Connect, 2019-2023 Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger, 2020-2021 Expedition/Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair/Super Duty/EcoSport, 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator/Transit, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update theaccesory protocol interface modul |
| 10254138 | All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership managemen |
| 10251934 | During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure. |
| 10250852 | Some 2020-2023 Ford and Lincoln SYNC3 equipped vehicles may experience an inaccurate notification in the FordPass/LincolnWay app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode message is expected if the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SoC) drops below 50%. If the vehicle is going into deep sleep due to one of these conditions, follow normal Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 414-01 procedure to correct the concern. If the vehicle is going |
| 10244707 | Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator, 2021 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the SYNC module (APIM) software. |
| 10240743 | The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information. |
| 10237977 | Some 2020-2023 Ford and Lincoln SYNC3 equipped vehicles may experience an inaccurate notification in the FordPass/LincolnWay app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode message is expected if the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SoC) drops below 50%. If the vehicle is going into deep sleep outside these conditions, this may be due to the telematics control unit (TCU) software. To correct this condition, follow the Service Proce |
| 10235153 | For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are |
| 10233738 | Some 2020-2023 Ford and Lincoln SYNC3 equipped vehicles may experience an inaccurate notification in the FordPass/LincolnWay app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode message is expected if the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SoC) drops below 50%. If the vehicle is going into deep sleep outside these conditions, this may be due to the telematics control unit (TCU) software. To correct this condition, follow the Service Proce |
| 10214878 | Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator, 2021 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. |
| 10214125 | Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator, 2021 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. This may be due to the SYNC Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. |
| 10210941 | In various 2017-2022 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating "Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass or LincolnWay app through the TCU Embedded Modem. If this message appears, the vehicle may be equipped with a fleet telematics module. Replacement of the TCU or TCU related repairs will not prevent this message from appearing. Please refer the customer to in app FordPass Guides or LincolnWay Concierge Teams to aid with fleet telematics removal. Open app, select Account > Help |
| 10209209 | This article supersedes TSB 21-2236 to update the models and year affected. Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2013-2022 Escape, 2015-2018 Focus, 2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2022 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty, 2018-2022 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2022 Ranger/Nautilus, 2021-2022 Bronco/Bronco Sport/Mustang Mach-E, 2022 Maverick vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement. |
| 10206845 | Some 2021 EcoSport vehicles may exhibit a condition where the cruise control system is inoperative with an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator and illuminated brake warning indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0504 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM and/or an incorrectly installed stoplamp switch. To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM and check for the correct installation of the stoplamp switch. |
| 10205694 | Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software. If possible, using the original USB that installed the update, reperform the update and verify the navigation voice prompts have returned. Multiple reboots are expected when this update is being performed. Verify the Installation Is Complete message displays in the touch screen. If the original USB is not available, go to website https://syncnavigation.com/ford/ho |
| 10204040 | Some 2018-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator; 2019-2021 Ranger; 2020-2021 Escape, Corsair, Explorer, Transit; 2021 Bronco, Bronco Sport, Edge, Nautilus, F-150, Mustang; 2019-2022 Transit Connect; 2020-2022 Aviator, F-Super Duty; and 2022 Maverick vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0496, P0456, P0455, P04F0, and/or P0451. Ford has tested returned EVAP canister purge valves and found them to be fully functional. Prior to replacing the canister purge valve or other EVAP components, perform the following tests using the Ford |
| 10203717 | Some 2021 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a condition where the auto start/stop system is inoperative or cruise control disabled with an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) and/or brake warning indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P164C or P0504 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle may also exhibit an engine stall while braking aggressively from low speed with an auto start/stop indicator lamp flashing and a battery indicator lamp on with a shift to park message in the instrumental panel cluster (IPC). This may be due to |
| 10203656 | This article supersedes TSB 21-2342 to update the Issue, Action, and Service Procedure. Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Sirius audio not functioning properly after a key cycle with active subscription Presets not responding or indicating properly Intermittent audio echo/robotic voice heard during a Bluetooth phon |
| 10202705 | Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. |
| 10201620 | Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect, 2020-2021 EcoSport/Escape/Expedition/Explorer/F-Super Duty/Aviator/Corsair/Navigator and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Oil Pump Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation