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.
Engine & cooling
Ford Ecosport Engine problems by year
1,618 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford Ecosport's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
Latest Ecosport engine complaints
The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete engine stall while in operation, creating an immediate traffic hazard. The failure is a direct consequence of a failed remedy under Safety Recall 23S64. The vehicle had interim recall work performed in October of last year. However, the oil pump drive wet-belt has catastrophically degraded and shredded, completely clogging the oil pickup screen and dropping engine oil pressure. Diagnostic scans show active faults P0017 and P0015, indicating total timing desynchronization at...
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the variable cam phasers due to hydraulic pressure loss. The engine is now knocking heavily from a spun bearing and mixing coolant. Ford Customer Relations and the local dealership refuse to tow or inspect the vehicle under the safety recall campaign, citing an arbitrary 12-month limit on a federal safety recall remedy that has mechanically failed
My 2020 Ford EcoSport was delivered to a certified Ford franchise dealership for a mandatory safety recall. The dealership held my vehicle in their service department for 18 consecutive months (1.5 years) claiming an extended parts and repair delay. Because the manufacturer and dealership held my car for a year and a half, it was physically impossible for me to complete a Texas state emissions inspection, causing my state vehicle registration and tags to completely expire while under their care. The dealership is...
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now forcing me to take delivery of an unregistered, illegal vehicle, hanging up the phone on me when I request safe transit or legal temporary tags, and demanding their service loaner vehicle back. I am filing this complaint due to severe recall repair delays and resulting state vehicle compliance failures.
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.
My car engine light came on, and I instantly lost being able to drive normally. I lost the ability to hit the gas and the car move. The car is sitting at [[redacted]] [[redacted]] · [[redacted]]..... I was informed that the wait can be up to a year. I am disabled and have been missing pain management appointments, psychiatrist appointments, primary care doctor, and I'm unable to get MRI or pain injections for my back. I am desperate for a loaner car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On August 20, 2026, my 2018 Ford EcoSport equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine suddenly shut down while I was driving on the highway. The unexpected loss of engine power created a serious safety concern because the vehicle became disabled while traveling in highway traffic. This failure occurred despite extensive previous engine-related repairs, including completion of Ford Safety Recall 23S64. On September 15, 2025, the vehicle overheated, the check-engine light illuminated, and coolant had to be added....
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Camelback Ford subsequently diagnosed a cracked thermostat housing, cracked coolant expansion reservoir, and failed reservoir cap. These components were replaced. During the same September 2025 service visit, Camelback Ford performed Safety Recall 23S64, replacing the engine oil-pump drive belt, tensioner, and timing belt on the original engine. In December 2025, the vehicle experienced significant power loss. Camelback Ford diagnosed a failed vacuum pump and discovered that the turbocharger's internal turbine had come apart and completely seized. The turbocharger was replaced in January 2026. Approximately seven months later, on August 20, 2026, the engine unexpectedly shut down on the highway. The vehicle was taken to Earnhardt Ford. On October 16, 2026, the dealership reported severe coolant intrusion into cylinder 3. During a cooling-system pressure test, cylinder 3 filled with coolant within approximately 10 minutes. Diagnostic codes included P0217, P0301, P0303, P0316, P1285, and P1299, indicating overheating and engine misfires. Earnhardt Ford suspects an internal cylinder-wall failure but has not confirmed the exact source of the coolant intrusion. The dealership recommends complete engine long-block replacement. I am concerned about the safety of these engines, particularly the risk of sudden engine shutdown while driving, even after completion of an engine-related safety recall. I request that NHTSA review this incident for a potential safety def
My 2019 Ford EcoSport is subject to safety recall 23S64 (NHTSA 23V905), involving the engine oil pump drive belt and tensioner. I have been trying to get this recall addressed for approximately two years. When I previously contacted the dealership to schedule the repair, I was told that I would be placed on a waiting list because the necessary parts were unavailable. However, the manufacturer's recall information indicated that parts and a repair remedy were available. The recall information explains that the...
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engine oil pump belt or tensioner may fail, potentially causing a loss of engine oil pressure, engine damage or seizure, and loss of power braking assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. My vehicle's recall status currently states "Remedy Available," but my previous experience with the dealership has left me uncertain whether the repair can actually be completed. I am concerned about continuing to drive a vehicle with this unresolved safety recall. I am requesting assistance obtaining confirmation that the necessary parts are available, a definite timeline for completing the repair, and information about what can be done to address this prolonged delay. To my knowledge, the engine has not experienced a confirmed failure related to this recall.
"Our 2020 Ford EcoSport has suffered multiple catastrophic engine failures directly caused by the defective oil pump drive belt covered under NHTSA Recall 23V905000 / Ford Recall 23S64. The authorized recall remedy completely failed to permanently resolve the safety hazard on this vehicle, leading to repeated, highly dangerous highway emergencies. On 5/22/24 We towed the car to the dealer after sudden loss of oil pressure on highway during rush-hour traffic creating a stressful and dangerous stalling hazard....
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(93,601 Miles) On 7/31/24 An Interim engine (#2) was installed without the fix due to a lack of parts. On 8/28 - 9/24/25 We left our car for a month to complete the recall remedy. (131,635) On 8/21/26 We brought our car to the dealer after severe overheating occurred on the highway creating a dangerous situation. (164,934 Miles) On 8/25/25 the dealer misdiagnosed this recall symptom as a simple sensor issue and replaced the cylinder head temp sensor. We paid $2,659.57. On 10/1/26 (168,664) Just 3,730 miles after the misdiagnosis, the engine catastrophically blew during rush-hour traffic with the total loss of vehicle power creating a very dangerous situation.This final failure occurred exactly 1 year and 7 days after the recall fix date - just one week past the warranty window confirmed by Ford Corporate. The interim engine failed at exactly 75,063 miles since its 2024 install, matching the known premature failure window for these interim blocks. On 10/10/26 The local dealership denied us warranty coverage forcing us to pay $7,538.04 out-of-pocket for the engine alone. On top of the $2,659.57 for the sensor, plus $260.00 for a car rental, we paid $10,457.61 in forced costs for a recurring federal safety defect. Please investigate the premature failure of Ford's 23S64 replacement engines and remedy parts, as they present an ongoing highway stalling risk.
The engine to my car completely caught on fire and destroyed the engine and inside of my car. All my items in my car were melted and put myself and other people in danger. There were no lights on until that morning where the engine light started flashing and in the span of 10-15 minutes the car was slowing down. Parked and turned off the car and the engine started smoking and caught on fire. Police department and fire department were called.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2019 Ford EcoSport and Ford's repeated failure to properly complete a safety recall. In [redacted], my vehicle displayed an oil-pressure warning while driving, just two days after an oil change. I brought it to Woodbridge Ford in [[redacted]] for recall repairs. They kept my vehicle for three months before claiming it was repaired. However, I continued receiving notices stating the recall was incomplete. In [redacted], I contacted the dealership, now Freedom Ford, and...
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was informed that the recall had NEVER been completed. I returned my vehicle for repairs. On [redacted], I was told my vehicle was ready. Before I could even leave the dealership lot, the vehicle began shutting down and entering an idle/reduced-power mode. A dealership employee test-drove it and experienced the same malfunction. The dealership kept my vehicle. After repeated attempts to obtain answers, an employee named [[redacted]] confirmed that parts were MISSING, the vehicle had not been properly reassembled, and additional parts needed to be ordered. He could not explain what happened to the missing components. He also confirmed the vehicle continued malfunctioning while being driven. Additionally, the dealership LOST my original car key, incorrectly cut its replacement, and required my only remaining spare key overnight to attempt another replacement. My vehicle has approximately 56,000 miles, was purchased brand-new, and has no history of major mechanical repairs. It has been in Ford's possession for months across multiple visits, yet the safety issue remains unresolved. I am extremely concerned that Ford attempted to return a vehicle with missing components and an unresolved malfunction that could cause a dangerous loss of power while driving. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Ford's handling of this recall, the incomplete and potentially unsafe repairs, and the dealership's decision to release my vehicle despite these defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle equipped with 1.0 L eco-boost engine suffered a catastrophic internal cylinder head fracture leading to antifreeze flooding two cylinders income, complete engine failure. This is a known widespread manufacturing defect that mirrors, Fords large eco-booth, coolant intrusion crisis.
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wet belt and the oil pump had failed and needed to be replaced. An attorney advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
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 starvation, and sudden engine failure on the highway.
I've had the same recall fixed on this car three times and once again on [redacted] 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...
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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 [[redacted]],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 [[redacted]] 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 [[redacted]] 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)
after my oil pump recall was done, the check engine light came on and is reading code P04DB.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data