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2020 Ford Ecosport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Ecosport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 395.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

138 reports with mileage · 257 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports8 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

167 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Car is incessantly jumping/jerking when switch gears. The symptom is so bad it is comparable to hitting a speed bump without slowing down. Sometimes it jumps forward and seems as though you can't stop it. It happens when backing out of the driveway, putting the car in drive from reverse, putting the car in drive from park, putti…

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Car is incessantly jumping/jerking when switch gears. The symptom is so bad it is comparable to hitting a speed bump without slowing down. Sometimes it jumps forward and seems as though you can't stop it. It happens when backing out of the driveway, putting the car in drive from reverse, putting the car in drive from park, putting the car in reverse from park, accelerating after stopping at a stop sign or a light, and more. Dealership the vehicle was purchased from has tried to fix the problem approximately 5 times. Car was at the dealership from July '22 to October '22 and problem still was not fixed. Another Ford certified dealer tried to fix it with no success.

NHTSA ODI #11533424

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I purchased the 2020 Ford Ecosport in July 2022 from bulter Ford in milledgville ga I have been having problems with the car barely pulling up a hill when driving and I can feel the car jerking while driving feeling like it's going to cut off in the road I have been to the bulter shop 5 times and nothing is working it is still …

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I purchased the 2020 Ford Ecosport in July 2022 from bulter Ford in milledgville ga I have been having problems with the car barely pulling up a hill when driving and I can feel the car jerking while driving feeling like it's going to cut off in the road I have been to the bulter shop 5 times and nothing is working it is still doing the same thing they say they can't find anything wrong I have not had a good ride out of the 8 month I have had the car I need help

NHTSA ODI #11524523

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

While driving my 2020 Ford Ecosport it spontaneously caught fire and exploded on Sunday, May 29th. •I purchased my 2020 Ford Ecosport from Ford or Helfman Ford in Stafford Texas on Monday, May 25th, 2020. I immediately had problems with the vehicle and have taken the vehicle in multiple times for overheating issues and the che…

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While driving my 2020 Ford Ecosport it spontaneously caught fire and exploded on Sunday, May 29th. •I purchased my 2020 Ford Ecosport from Ford or Helfman Ford in Stafford Texas on Monday, May 25th, 2020. I immediately had problems with the vehicle and have taken the vehicle in multiple times for overheating issues and the check engine light coming on. •May 25th, 2020 – overheating and coolant light came on. Vehicle taken to Planet Ford in Dallas May 28, 2020. Vehicle repaired and picked up from Planet Ford on May 29th, 2020. •May 30th, 2020 - check engine light came back on. Vehicle taken back to Planet Ford in Dallas June 2, 2020 and I picked it up. Vehicle repaired and picked and I picked June 5, 2020. •April 2nd, 2021, I took it the vehicle to Helfman Ford for routine maintenance and the continuous check engine light problem. I received the car back the same day with paperwork stating that they could not re-create the problem. •August 4th 2021, I took it back to Helfman Ford, vehicle was running very rough and was extremely loud. On 10/06/2020 the vehicle was returned after extensive repairs were done to exhaust and engine under warranty (see repair invoice). •My check engine light and coolant light continued to come on sporadically producing the same error messages in the Ford app for my car. •On May 7, 2022 My check engine light come back on and I received an error message that I had never seen prior but as soon as I stopped the message went away •On May 17, 2022 I took the car in one final time too Planet Ford Dallas. They replaced the coolant sensor but were not able to replicate the error and I was told since they could not produce the error, •On May 29, 2022 at 2:08 while driving the check engine came on, and I lost all engine power. Smoke started coming from the engine area and within seconds from exiting the vehicle the engine was on fire and the car exploded.

NHTSA ODI #11518869

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2023
EnginePower Train

Was leaving work and suddenly the oil pressure light came on and the engine started making a terrible noise. I pulled over and had the car towed to the Ford dealership. The dealership inspected it and said that the oil pump belt "shredded" and the sudden loss of oil pressure, along with the debris from the oil pump belt, complet…

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Was leaving work and suddenly the oil pressure light came on and the engine started making a terrible noise. I pulled over and had the car towed to the Ford dealership. The dealership inspected it and said that the oil pump belt "shredded" and the sudden loss of oil pressure, along with the debris from the oil pump belt, completely ruined both the motor and the turbo requiring full replacement of both at a cost of $6500. Car was purchased new less than 2 1/2 years before but Ford will not pay for the repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11510755

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2023
Engine

Car was leaking coolant, overheated, now has a head gasket problem.

NHTSA ODI #11507965

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2023
EngineFireInjury

My husband was driving home from work when he heard a boom. He had thought he hit something but didn’t feel or see anything. A few minutes later he saw smoke coming from the engine and thought maybe a hose had come off or something so he pulled into a parking lot. When he lifted the hood the car was on fire.

NHTSA ODI #11506222

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2022
Engine

Driving on the interstate the low oil pressure light came on no check engine lights or anything . The oil pump is belt driven aka wet belt and the rubber teeth come off stopping up the oil pump and causing it not to work properly . With the rubber pieces going into the motor the rubber melts causing issues with the pistons and e…

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Driving on the interstate the low oil pressure light came on no check engine lights or anything . The oil pump is belt driven aka wet belt and the rubber teeth come off stopping up the oil pump and causing it not to work properly . With the rubber pieces going into the motor the rubber melts causing issues with the pistons and engine block. The Ford dealership recommends not replacing just the oil pump because of all the other issues the rubber belt causes because it melts inside the engine . So I am left with no choice but to replace the engine at a cost of 5,000.00. Why there hasn't been a recall is questionable . I am in the process of getting said motor replaced but does that mean every 2 years it will have same issues ?

NHTSA ODI #11497226

Official recalls

3

25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:software

Jun 27, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

23V905000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Dec 22, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V791000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Dec 17, 2020

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver 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."

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE23015 · Oil Pump Failure

Opened Sep 20, 2023 · Closed Feb 14, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

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.