2020 Ford Ecosport problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Ecosport, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 399
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 26
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 345 of 399 complaints (86%).
- Transmission & Drivetrain (53) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (25) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 70,000 mi.
- Owners reported 7 crashes, 8 fires and 26 injuries.
- The 2020 Ford Ecosport has 3 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 5 Ford Ecosport model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 13% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (457).
2020 Ford Ecosport problems by category
- 345 complaints
- 53 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash39 complaints
- 25 complaints
- Brakes · 2 crashes13 complaints
- Electrical System13 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control12 complaints
- Airbags · 5 crashes9 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash4 complaints
- Suspension · 1 crash4 complaints
- Steering3 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 175 |
| Engine | 169 |
| Power train | 53 |
| Unknown or other | 39 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 |
| Electrical system | 13 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 |
| Service brakes | 11 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Ford Ecosport recalls (3)
- 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.
- 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.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.
NHTSA defect investigations
Oil Pump Failure
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 press…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Ford EcoSport SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Ford EcoSport SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Recent 2020 Ford Ecosport complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 1, 2026NCEngine
The authorized Ford dealer failed to properly execute the safety recall repair. They twice filled my 1.0L EcoBoost wet-belt engine with standard domestic XO5W20BSP oil instead of the manufacturer-mandated, recall-specified WSS-M2C948-B oil. once under interm recall they replaced long block, second part of recall they repaired recalI but put wrong spec oil in again. car has been driven 6,000 miles on the wrong oil, creating a renewed risk of timing belt delamination, oil pump…
NHTSA complaint #11768379 · source - Filed Sep 24, 2026ALCrashTowedBrakesOther / Unknown
The low brake fluid warning came on my dash as I tried to stop at a stop sign. I tried again to depress the brake pedal and the brake pedal was not moving. It was like it was locked in place. The second time I tried to push the brake, the warning flashed that I had no brake fluid. I managed to avoid traffic and the treeline, but sailed over a guide sign and into a cluster of power lines. Two of the lines were pulled out of the ground from the force of the impact. I checked…
NHTSA complaint #11766751 · source - Filed Sep 23, 2026WYCrash20 injuredAirbagsBrakes
While in traffic, the brakes were pressed, the car did not brake and I had to swerve to try to avoid one collision and caused another one. The steering wheel airbag did not deploy and the vehicle i hit was struck twice.
NHTSA complaint #11766521 · source - Filed Sep 12, 2026KYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
Kept like revving the engine like it was whining tight never show no check engine light nothing ever showed up was driving down the road and the car completely shut off no warning signs no nothing all was coming out of it like a oil pump or something had went out in the car.
NHTSA complaint #11763855 · source - Filed Sep 3, 202663,000 miMITowedEngine
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, smoke was observed coming from the rear of the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a tune-up. The contact later received a notification through the mobile application indicating that the engine had multiple misfires. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where…
NHTSA complaint #11761908 · source - Filed Aug 30, 2026OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
"I am reporting a severe, high-risk safety and under-hood fire hazard involving a 2020 Ford EcoSport tied directly to federal Safety Recall 23S64 [23S64]. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic loss of internal oil pressure, leading to an official diagnostic scan by Kerry Ford confirming a hard-stored P0015 Camshaft Timing defect [23S64]. The dealership is actively evading the federal recall remedy by falsely claiming the failure is just a bad sensor [23S64]. The vehicle is now…
NHTSA complaint #11760733 · source - Filed Aug 30, 2026MDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
Statement of Problem & Safety Risk: I am filing a complaint regarding a persistent, critical safety defect on my 2020 Ford EcoSport. This vehicle previously suffered an engine failure linked to Ford Recall 23S64 / NHTSA Campaign 23V-905 (oil pump drive belt/tensioner failure causing loss of oil pressure). An engine assembly replacement was performed under the recall around 58,000 miles. Despite having the recall service performed, the replacement engine has now experienced…
NHTSA complaint #11760700 · source - Filed Aug 7, 2026DCTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The contact later received a letter stating that parts were available; however, the dealer stated that due to a limited supply, they could only service the recall if the vehicle had experienced the…
NHTSA complaint #11755410 · source
Compare the 2020 Ford Ecosport with another vehicle →
Other 2020 Ford models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology