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Compact SUVs continue to grow in popularity because of the car-like ride and sporty style. The 2019 Ford EcoSport leads the pack and claims “every day’s an adventure.” However, owners don’t appreciate the type of adventure this model brings to the table. It suffers from a defective engine, poorly-built structure and dangerous seats.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2020
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Ford EcoSport
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Seats | |
| Structure:body | |
| Suspension |
Problems with the Engine
As a cheaper model SUV, the EcoSport doesn’t claim to have a powerful engine, but it does promise fuel savings. With that, typically comes an underpowered engine, but the problems seem to go beyond those concerns.
Here is one Edmunds review discussing the trouble. “What isn’t wrong with this thing?!?! It has no power but only a week after purchase when attempting to accelerate to get out of being sandwiched between 2 semi-trucks the gas pedal kept going to the floor… then stuck there like a rock full throttle. I pulled on it stepped on it checked my floor mat nothing.”
Turns out that the engine is in worse shape than anyone could have imagined. Service Bulletin #SSM 48093 states that some of the 1.0L EcoBoost engines might struggle with a loss of engine oil pressure due to a broken engine oil pump belt tensioner. The problem is, to repair this defect, the EcoBoost requires an entirely new engine. The day that this SUV dies is surely considered “an adventure” by many owners, just not the pleasant kind.
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Ford EcoSport Engine Problems:
WHILE ON A LONG TRIP I STOPPED ON A SERVICE AREA. WHEN I GOT OFF THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A STRONG HEAT SMELL.WHEN OPEN HOOD I NOTICED TURBO WAS GLOWING RED HOT ALL THE WAY BELOW OXYGEN SENSOR.
Problems with the Vehicle Structure
When the engineers set out to design the EcoBoost, it’s unlikely they planned to make as big of a lemon as they did.
Just read this Edmunds review. “Don’t get me started on the rear entry. I had to consult YouTube to figure out how to open it and sadly once I learned how, all I could think is ‘how stupid.’ It’s not a hatch opening, it opens like a door to the left. That’ll work well when there’s a car parked behind you and you need to load the groceries (sarcasm). The YouTube’ r said he had reviewed vehicles for years and he couldn’t figure it out either. A salesperson has to show him. Hmm, how clever Ford … vehicles should be intuitive not a puzzle.”
Another structure-related concern has to do with the auto glass. Service Bulletin #SSM 48130 talks about how the glass could turn an orange pattern or start streaking. The cause is from car wash solutions used on the glass by owners, but Ford will not cover the defect under the warranty, claiming it’s not their concern. Yet, millions of other car models can drive through the car wash and never experience these problems. Apparently, owners aren’t supposed to wash their cars after an adventure.
Problems with the Seats
The same types of issues are found with the seating construction.
Here is one Cars.com review worth reading. “The interior is extremely cramped. If you have small children, getting them in and out of the cramped back seat will always be a frustrating chore. I need to emphasize that, the backseat is so cramped, its uncomfortable for toddlers.”
Aside from the size of the seats, it’s important to look at the safety ramifications. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V023000 states that some vehicles are equipped with front seat frames that weren’t welded correctly. This results in the back becoming improperly secured, which can increase the risk of an injury during an accident. Nothing says adventure more than a night in the hospital due to a faulty vehicle.
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2019 Ford EcoSport Seats Problems:
THE FRONT SEAT FRAMES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED WHICH CAN HEIGHTENED THE POTENTIALITY OF HARM CAUSED TO A PERSON INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CARS.COM IS STATING THAT A RECALL IS IN EFFECT. NHTSA IS STATING THAT 1 RECALL DOES EXIST. KELLY BLUE BLUE BOOK IS STATING THAT A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE BUT THAT IT DOESN’T PERTAIN TO MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT ROD FROM LARRY H. MILLER FORD IN MESA, AZ STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITHIN THE FUTURE. CARS.COM STATES THAT THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 19V023000 WITH A RECALL DATE OF 01/02/2019 AND THAT THE COMPONENT AFFECTED IS SEATS
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I feel like these Ecosports are bad. I have a 2019 Ecosport and it’s going to have to go in the shop for a third time and that’s not right. Something to do with the coolant again and I already had the engine replaced
I have a 2019 model Ford Ecosport 1.5 Manual. I got the vehicle on the 8 June 2020 as a demo vehicle. Took the vehicle home and picked up multiple faults which was taken in and sorted out a month later. The main issue I have with the vehicle is the transmission. The number 1 and reverse gear has a shudder and recently the vehicle does not select gears. Vehicle keeps going into the dealership and they adjust the gears and clutch which is self adjusting. and they tell me that the shudder is normal. Really disappointing from Ford. I’ve always owned a Ford but the Ecosport is a real disappointment.
I have a 2019 ford ecosport with 35,000 miles on it. I get it regularly maintained by dealer only. I justvhad to replace my battery at 32,000 miles. I have never replaced a battery in a vechile with that many miles. Next a few days ago my check engine light comes on tells me to check antifreeze level ok np right. Until I pull the hood button but it doesn’t open my hood. How does a hood release button now work so can’t open hood. Took to dealership have to wait for it to be fixed they need a whole new assembly to pop my hood open. They cleared out check engine light but hopefully I have no issues who knows how long til they get the part in. This car has given me nothing but problems since I got it. I’m ready to get rid of this thing. Poorly designed. Did anyone else have any of these issues.
I have a Ford Ecosport 2019 petrol model. I had problems where my petrol light dud not go off when I put in R300 petrol after my fuel light went on at 90 km.the petrol light still remained on even after I drove for 100 km . The petrol light showed empty although I put in R350 petrol. It only went off after I put in another R400 the next day.
2018 Ford ecosport 1.0L engine with oil pump failure at 85900 miles. I still owe 9 grand on this car and can’t afford to replace my whole engine. It failed on me while driving down the freeway. It could have killed me or someone else had they hit me. Expensive tow, expensive repair. No oil pump to be found. No engine to be found to fit the car that does not have the same oil pump. Who do I sue to get this fixed? I bought the car from a dealership in November 2020. I have had a few problems with it. Also, one of my neighbors backed into the car and I filed a claim for damages and diminished value. Insurance denied the diminished value claiming the car had been wrecked before and allstate had record of it because it was their customer but they refused to provide proof.
I have a 2019 ecsport its in shop rite now said coolant is engine only 50,000 miles said its probably engine stopped running.
My rear glass shattered just sitting in the garage! Transmission not shifting correctly.
I bought a new Ford echo sport in August of 2019… The car ran great until it reaches the 5000 km mark . Around October 25 2019, the car started having issues, the car did not shift properly …. The sales lady who sold me the car contacted me on October 29 to see how my car was working, and I explained what was happening… She thought maybe I was driving it in the sport mode …….Had the car reprogrammed , and within 1 minute of driving it , the car shifted so bad that I thought that someone rear ended me ….I’ve kept a log of every visit to the local garage , and many dates of when the car ran terrible with ,what the weather was like that day , and elevation levels . The bumper to bumper warranty ran out this month , but I still have warranty on tranny ,up to 100,000 I believe…. I’ve had issues with the alarm on the key going off while the key was in the car , and the car was off… “ No key detected” while I am in the car with the keys …..car beeping as soon as I start it up …The horn going off when I am backing up… I’ve had the water pump replaced , rear sway bar, , and running light .. My car still runs terrible at times , especially wet/cold weather … This has been happening for 2 years ….My last trip to the garage one of the mechanics said that my car was like his truck, it has 10 speeds and shifts rough , and that’s the way they are, and that my tranny was good for 100,000 km …..I have drove two other ecosports , and they ran great … I love my ford eco sport , but it runs terrible … If this car develops a bigger issue I will stop payment on it ! Other people have drove my car and have commented on how bad the transmission shifts !
Hi
I have a Ford eco sport on a 69 plate bought about a tear ago . It’s already had the steering rack replaced and electrical steering pump . It’s drives like a tank the steering is still very heavy the front end sways to left and right and it won’t drive in a straight line I’m correcting the steering wheel all time . So next week it’s going back into Ford for 3rd time . I’m so fed up of it the car could be unsafe I’m just not sure
I only have around 3000 miles on my 2020 Ecosport. I opted for the 2.0 engine because I don’t trust small turbo engines to be reliable. Had a 2011 Chevy Cruze with 1.4 turbo. Went through 3 water pumps and two turbos in less then 50k and then overheated and needed a engine overhaul. I guess manufactures had no choice but to create these turbo engines to meet emissions. But owners will not be happy when they see how unreliable they are after some miles. I suspect these direct injected engines will also create problems down the road as well.
Hi I have a ecosport 2019 one year old this month few months ago in lockdown the app showed up loads problems I rang the Ford garage they said it’s just the app. Anyway two weeks ago it went into the main dealer as the steering seemed hard to turn a corner. Today I had a phone call to say they are replacing the complete steering rack and it’s on order. They said they will try that see it if work if not then they will look into it further.
I’m very disappointed in the car tbh seems heavy to drive. And now this and it’s not even a year old yet really.