50 of the
2,449 complaints filed about the Ford Ecosport
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
50
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
The affected component is the powertrain system in my 2020 Ford EcoSport. The vehicle has experienced repeated powertrain-related failures and is available for inspection upon request. In May 2025, the vehicle required a full engine replacement, yet I am continuing to experience serious powertrain-related issues. The vehicle has displayed powertrain malfunction warnings and has experienced improper acceleration, hesitation, loss of power, and instances where the vehicle has stopped at intersections. These issues create a serious safety risk because the vehicle may not respond when acceleration is needed, including when entering traffic, turning, merging, or attempting to avoid hazards. A vehicle that loses power or stops unexpectedly at intersections creates a risk of collision and puts myself, my passengers, and other motorists in danger. This issue has occurred multiple times and has required repeated service attention. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected again due to the ongoing powertrain failure concern. Despite significant repairs, including a complete engine replacement, the underlying issue appears to remain unresolved. Prior to the failures, the vehicle displayed warning messages related to the powertrain system. The symptoms have included reduced acceleration, hesitation, loss of power, and the vehicle stopping unexpectedly while driving. The vehicle has been inspected by Ford service providers, including the prior engine replacement performed in May 2025. I am submitting this complaint because repeated powertrain failures, loss of acceleration, and unexpected stopping while operating the vehicle present a significant safety concern. I believe this issue warrants investigation to determine whether there is a broader defect affecting 2020 Ford EcoSport vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11748784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was on my way home from work approaching a red light coasting to a stop, I tried to slow down then I realized the car was accelerating and I pushed the brakes and pulled into a parking lot by the time I got in the parking lot the car was surging, really trying to takeoff. It went all the way to 5,000 rpm’s while I was in park.
NHTSA complaint #11736528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The primary failure is the engine assembly and turbocharger, specifically caused by the failure of the oil pump drive belt and tensioner system (subject of Safety Recall 23S64 / NHTSA 23V-905). Despite an attempted recall "remedy" on August 25, 2025, the engine suffered internal oil starvation due to belt debris (rubber fibers) remaining in the oil passages. The dealership has confirmed in writing that the turbocharger failed and the engine requires a "long block replacement" due to "debris in the oil passages" and a "clogged turbo oil feed filter." The vehicle is currently held at dealership, and the failed components are available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while in operation, a condition specifically cited in the safety risk section of Recall 23S64. This loss of power occurred during acceleration, creating an immediate risk of a rear-end collision or being stranded in active traffic. Additionally, per the recall notice, this failure path can lead to a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump, which provides power braking assist. A sudden increase in braking effort combined with a stalled engine significantly increases the risk of a crash. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. On January 5, 2026, the service department diagnosed a failed turbocharger then on April 17th 2026, the service department diagnosed the problem to be a internal engine debris clogging oil feed lines. They verified the engine has oil pressure at the pump but is failing to deliver oil to critical components (turbo/upper block) due to contamination from the defective belt system.The vehicle has been inspected by the authorized Ford manufacturer representative at the dealership. I have also escalated the case to Ford Customer Relationship Center, though they have yet to provide a $0-cost safety remedy as required by federal law. October 9, 2025: "Powertrain Malfunction Light" message appeared. Then later "check engine light" as well as "battery"
NHTSA complaint #11734946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle experiences a loss of power while driving. The vehicle will unexpectedly lose acceleration and power during normal driving conditions, including when merging or driving in traffic. This creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle does not respond properly when attempting to accelerate. The issue occurs intermittently but repeatedly and makes it difficult and unsafe to drive, especially at higher speeds or in traffic situations. Ford has declined financial assistance for repair due to mileage and vehicle age, and no resolution has been provided. This issue creates a safety risk while operating the vehicle, as it may suddenly lose power without warning in traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11734254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2018 eco sport , 1 L engine . Bought this car 2 years ago(April 2024) used (58xxx) miles from Corwin Honda in Fargo nd and test drove and asked about the car . Asked if safe for my family , recalls ,history ..they said no issues ,recalls or crashes . All were untrue we are just finding out . I was driving imin the dark and suddenly,no warning etc my car says low engine oil pressure . I had kids in the car, on the highway (80mph) when my car suddenly stops at not exactly a slow decline . It is dark , it’s a long high way. Luckily we made it home . But now the dealership I hit it from and Luther family ford of Fargo nd do NOT WANT TO TOUCH MY CAR. Ford company said they have reached out to Luther to tell them to tow my car and inspect etc but Luther ford keeps hanging up in them . We owe 12k still on this car and insurance. We can’t not drive it, I have to uber and use DoorDash . My hubby goes out of town for work and I work night shift so we can not use his beater of a work car. We also scheduled roadside assistance today for 330pm and THEY DID NOT COME TO GET THE CAR. I rescheduled again for the am and hopefully so but I feel they black listed my vin or any recalls with this car. It is unsafe to drive , their is no replacements thought they keep promising year after year I have read . It’s is stressful, it is unsafe and it is wrong to leave ppl hanging when I am doing all I can on my part . We can’t not afford a car payment on a broken car that is dangerous and doesn’t drive . Where is our rights? Who cares about my safety? MY KIDS SAFETY? That night on the highway ? Thankfully a lady in a truck helped us get home . This is so cruel
NHTSA complaint #11723753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle has an open safety recall with no repair available. I have been waiting over two years for parts with no ETA from the manufacturer or dealership. During this time, the vehicle has experienced loss of power while driving, creating a safety risk. The dealership has acknowledged the recall but cannot complete the repair due to parts unavailability. The vehicle remains unsafe to operate, and the manufacturer has not provided a timely remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11713053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During a trip out of town, the vehicle suffered a complete engine and mechanical breakdown on a busy highway, becoming inoperable and posing a serious safety hazard. The vehicle had been routinely serviced and received an oil change two days prior to the incident. On the same day, another service company reviewed the oil system and confirmed the concern. The vehicle has been in the possession of Jim Hudson Ford in Lexington, SC since October 25, 2025 and remains unrepaired. Ford has confirmed that only ten (10) parts are currently on order nationwide and that no loaners will be available until February 2026. The dealership reported that another EcoSport affected by the same recall has been on their lot since July with no repair parts available. We live approximately 68 miles away and have no transportation. The registered owner is a disabled individual with a pacemaker, creating an extreme hardship due to limited financial flexibility and dependence on disability income. We have repeatedly requested permission to pick up a loaner vehicle from another Ford dealership closer to home or to receive a third-party rental (Enterprise, Avis, etc.) at Ford’s expense, consistent with public recall guidance. Ford has refused all such accommodations and has declined to confirm that the delay is due to back-ordered parts.
NHTSA complaint #11698739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 50 MPH. The vehicle was shaking abnormally. The phone App alerted the contact that there was a powertrain malfunction and reduced power. The "Service Engine Soon" message was displayed. The oil and maintenance warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer previously, where it was diagnosed with engine and powertrain failures. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #11696060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Myself, my husband and our son were driving on the freeway going 70 mph and all of a sudden with no warning and our engine lost all power we almost got killed by a semi my husband had to put the car in neutral to restart it and then it would only go about 40 mph, the RPM were between 4 and 5 going 30 mph, I took my car to valley Ford of Columbus and they told me it was some kind of valve and it was going to take 2 months for the part to come in, I told valley Ford we almost got killed and this car is a death trap, they didn't care at all they made me drive this car for 2 months with the motor shutting down on me We almost got killed 3 times from semi almost killing us, so finally after 2 months valley ford called and said the valve came in, we took it in and with in 3 minutes of leaving valley Ford we got on the freeway ramp and as soon as we switched lanes the car lost power again. A semi almost hit us from behind, I called valley Ford immediately and calab said oh maybe it's your transmission they didn't care at all, I contacted the Ford complaint department and for months I was talking on the phone and emailing with jamarian tate at Ford and then out of no where she completely abanded me, no response to phone calls or emails, I'm paying 480.00 a month for a car that terrifies myself my husband and our son, it's so bad that we all have major anxiety now, I mean we've had 3 near death experiences in this car, Ford should have gave me a different car due to the recall product liability I mean my motor shutting down and loosing brakes is not good Ford put a temporary fix on my car so it's going to happen again, we are afraid every time we get in the car, we just lost our 5 Year old Grand daughter to a rare brain cancer, and we can't even pick any of the other 8 Grand kids in the car were scared to death every day and ford could care less, they were supposed to have this part months ago and they still don't, and now we Don't trust this car at all. We need help.
NHTSA complaint #11691325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and several unknown DTCs were retrieved. The vehicle remained with an independent mechanic. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at the dealer six days prior to the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was traveling out of town. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine failed one me [XXX] it sat in my drive until it made its way to Sarasota Ford on July 9, 2024. I have no been able to drive this car at all for about 2 years now. (July 9th, 2024 - 5/2025) When driving the car it goes from 40mph to 9mph in the middle of traffic putting not only mi life in danger but others. I have compiled to the motor company about how dangerous this car is. My car has had about 3 engines and still has the same problem the recall was put out for. I was told that after so many times of them trying to fix the car and it’s still Not working they have to replace are car by putting us in the same year or newer year make and model but ford doesn’t want to do so they just want to keep replacing and installing engines that obviously has the recall problem. My car has recently got repossessed due prolonged non-use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11663853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2018 Ford EcoSport, which is affected by Recall 23S64 related to a serious engine defect. I am currently making payments on this vehicle, yet it continues to be unsafe and unreliable, with repeated engine issues that have not been resolved despite temporary repairs. I purchased the car in May 2024 from a dealership. Within two hours of driving it off the lot, the car began to shake, and the check engine light started flashing. It could not accelerate properly or keep up with traffic, and I had to return it for repairs, where it stayed for approximately two weeks. More recently, while driving two hours away from home, I experienced another severe incident. The car again began to shake, and multiple warning lights appeared on the dash: the check engine light, engine oil pressure light, and the "See Manual" warning. Once again, the vehicle was unable to accelerate safely, putting me and others on the road at serious risk. I was told this was connected to Recall 23S64, and an interim engine replacement was performed. However, even after this, I am still experiencing ongoing engine issues, including shaking, poor acceleration, and a flashing check engine light. This recall has been open since December 2023, and Ford initially stated that remedy parts would be available by the end of Q1 2025. It is now late April 2025, and there are still no parts available and no updated timeline. I have reached out to Ford and the dealership multiple times, and both have refused to offer a buyback or permanent solution, even though I have explicitly stated that I no longer feel safe in the vehicle. I fear that Ford is waiting for someone to be seriously injured before taking meaningful action. Meanwhile, I am stuck making monthly payments on a car that I cannot rely on and do not feel safe driving. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter and pressure Ford to take responsibility.
NHTSA complaint #11656283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle was identified as part of the safety recall in 2023. In 2024 my car started struggling and the low engine oil pressure warning started showing on my dash. The check engine light and service soon indicator lights started showing on the dash as well. The car was just past 71,000mi. When I purchased the car it was at about 60,000mi. Since the issues seemed related to the recall I went to a Ford dealer. My car was checked with the dealer and I was given a loaner vehicle. I was told that my car’s engine needed to be replaced. I drove a loaner car from September 2024 to April 2025 as my car waited for an engine to be sent to my dealer. Once the engine was replaced I was told that I also would have to purchase a battery since my car hadn’t been driven for so long. I now have my car returned to me but I am nervous to drive it with the same recall issue still outstanding. Parts for the recall remedy were announced to be available by the end of the first quarter of 2025 but they are not. There is also not any updates to when parts will be available.
NHTSA complaint #11655551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Five days prior I had car assessed at mechanics ,it was good. Day of incident car started and drove fine. Low oil light come on. I pulled over checked oil level it was fine. I checked the car on my Ford app. There was nothing on the app saying there was a problem. Car drove fine I drove about a hour the car oil lights flashed again. Then the car completely shut down while I was driving. I immediately tried to steer car off the road. The steering was hard.I was trying to give it gas to get it off the road but the car was instantly dead hunk of metal. The car made no noise. I have heard of limp mode but I didn't experience that. I went drove 70 to 0 really fast.I was lucky no one was immediately behind me or was in fast lane because I would of been hit .I had car towed to a ford dealership. It was determined that the engine recalled part is why it broke down. Unknown time when car will be repaired. No rental. No help . I own the car. It is sitting at a ford dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11653308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powertrain Malfunction/ reduced power Vehicles emission control system The service light has been 3 months after car was purchased in 2023. Dealer claim to fix recall but a week later same light same issues. They fixed car with recalled parts.
NHTSA complaint #11651985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car looses power mid drive since (has happened since Sept 2024.) Powertrain light sensor comes on and car throttles low, cuts completely off sometimes. Numerous Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power notifications on My ford app.
NHTSA complaint #11651872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased the 2021 Ford EcoSport from Courtesy Ford (new), where I have the regularly serviced the vehicle. However, my ownership experience has been marked by repeated mechanical failures that have escalated to the point where, after only three years of ownership, I am being asked to replace the transmission—a repair I believe is both premature and unjustified given the circumstances outlined below. Timeline of Issues and Repairs: July 17, 2023: First experienced significant engine performance problems, particularly with the Auto Start feature malfunctioning, which led to the engine stalling while driving. Despite multiple tests, these issues persisted. Eventually, the engine was replaced, but I continued to experience jerking and misfiring after the replacement. October 2023 – January 2024: Despite having the engine replaced, the car began showing worsening jerking and misfiring, especially at higher speeds (60-65 mph or above). February 2024: During routine maintenance, I was informed that a catalytic converter needed replacement due to damage caused by the engine misfiring. I also learned that the starter motors were not replaced during the engine swap, despite it being common to get a tune up at about 80,000 and expecting thorough work after a engine replacement (Is that too much to ask) also being that I get ALL repairs and maintenance done here just for the service “ADVISOR’ to tell me you were been supposed to get a tune up, hysterical October 2024 – January 2025: The engine started losing power and struggling to rev, similar to before the new engine and catalytic converter replacement. After two weeks, I received a $3500 estimate for starters, coils, plugs, a coolant flush, and code P0128. After waiting for recall plans and assistance, I was informed that the technicians had added the two coils and plugs they initially had on the $3500 estimate and said after test driving it w/ those, they see that a new transmission is needed for $7500.
NHTSA complaint #11640247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
For the past 3 weeks my check engine light would appear then disappear. On 01-09-25 I scheduled with a in town loco mechanic shop. Gave him my worries about how my check engine light sometimes comes on. I was advised to take my vehicle to the Ford dealership because they could not replace the sensors I needed, only Ford can?? I picked up my car and the check engine light was not on. Today [XXX] in the morning check engine light is on. Once I put the gear in drive my vehicle was struggling for speed. It struggled so much that it made me a bit nervous that I returned home right away. So……I decided to do a little research on my vehicle. It has low mileage. Oh boy. I didn’t know Ford had some recalls. I plan on requesting an inspection from the manufacturer. I was never informed or notified of any specific needs to be repaired as part of a recall?? I hope this makes sense?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11635461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal; however, there was a loss in automotive power. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11634466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.