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Smaller SUVs are all the rage over the last few years, with the 2020 Ford EcoSport. Newer models claim to allow customers to “feel good, do everything.” However, customers continue to complain about the defective air bags, malfunctioning engine and shoddy powertrain.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Ford EcoSport
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Air Bags | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Power Train | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Structure:body | |
| Suspension | |
| Steering | |
| Tires | |
| Seats |
Problems with the Air Bags
Air bags are designed to keep occupants safe during an accident. However, they don’t seem to work well in the 2020 EcoSport.
One NHTSA complaint reads, “The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to make a left turn, another vehicle ran a red light and T-boned his vehicle. Due to the impact, his vehicle slammed into a guardrail on a bridge, nearly knocking the vehicle over the bridge. The contact stated that all curtain side airbags were deployed; however, his driver and passenger side airbags did not deploy. The contact stated that he was trapped in the vehicle and had to wait for authorities to assist him out of the vehicle. The contact was rushed to the hospital but decided to leave after a long wait in the emergency room. The contact stated that he did have soreness to his right shoulder and right arm. A police report was filed (210066310). The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where it remained in their possession after the contact was given an estimate for repair. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V791000(Air Bags). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,310.”
The recall being referred to revealed that some front air bag modules were missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. Without these parts, the air bags could fail to deploy during an accident, leading to a higher chance of injury. These are basic principles that should never be overlooked, but Ford manages to take the cake with this defect.
Problems with the Engine
One of the top complaints about the 2020 EcoSport centers always around the engine, its power and reliability.
One Edmunds customer writes, “1. 2 weeks after getting car kept getting warning message regarding engine temperature, car would go into reduced power mode while I was in traffic. 2. Took a road trip was climbing steep grade, speed limit was 75. Received a warning g regarding engine coolant high temp. Received this 3 times after stopping to let things cool down a bit. Had driven less then 300 miles. I use the car for work keep engine running 10 hours or more in 115 degrees no problem. 3. Drove from Phoenix to Tucson, looking at houses, on the way back stopped at Rest Area while getting back on highway (again 75 mile an hour speed limit. Was getting up to speed when the Engine Coolant High temp warning came on, this time engine went into Reduced Power mode. Check engine light came on. Obviously this is an unreliable/unsafe vehicle at speeds over 65. It’s now at the dealer with a 2 week wait before they even get around to looking at it.”
Despite how many complaints are filling up the internet forums, Ford claims to find nothing wrong with the engines. Instead, customers are left on their own, dealing with the problems and regretting every minute of the purchase. It won’t be long before Chevy finds itself with many more buyers.
Problems with the Powertrain
Working hand-in-hand with the engine, it turns out that the powertrain in the 2020 EcoSport is just as defective.
Here’s another Edmunds review worth reading. “I’m currently in the process of enacting the Ohio Lemon Laws for this car. I’ve had it since November 2019 and have had TWO transmissions fully rebuilt into the car in the past year. Do not buy unless you want a headache and lawsuit on your hands.”
When it comes to the transmission, Ford is acknowledging some things, which is progress. SSM 49821 states that small debris can cause the VCT solenoid to stick, causing many error codes and drivability concerns. However, automakers should expect vehicles to deal with small forms of debris, considering it is driving down the road. Most vehicles are designed to deal with debris and contaminants without failing, but not the EcoSport. From what has been shown, it’s hard to imagine this SUV doing anything that feels good unless customers enjoy paying for expensive repairs and waiting weeks for the vehicle to be fixed.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Ford pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Engine, Power Train |
| Date | Mar 08, 2023 |
| State | OH |
| Description | 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 00. Car was purchased new less than 2 1/2 years before but ford will not pay for the repairs. |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Mar 05, 2023 |
| State | AR |
| Description | My wife was in an accident and the right hand side airbags failed to deploy and she was hit around 30mph and I know a airbag will deploy at that speed |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Mar 02, 2023 |
| State | SC |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 ford ecosport. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty had expired, and referred her to the nhtsa hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Feb 18, 2023 |
| State | SC |
| Description | Car was leaking coolant, overheated, now has a head gasket problem. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Feb 08, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Dec 18, 2022 |
| State | OH |
| Description | The brake system emits a squeaking, moan/groan sound when backing up. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The concern was that any sound not usual to the operation of the vehicle is a warning of a potential problem. No warning lights appeared. This problem was inspected, confirmed/diagnosed at a ford dealer in huntington, wv. The problem was supposed to be remedied with the replacement of the rear braking system(pads, rotors. And slides). The vehicle had 19,736 miles on it but the dealer said it was not a warranty item and charged 0. 00 for the repair. The problem was not corrected. The manufacturer was contacted. A ford representative contacted the dealer and was convinced by the dealer that nothing could be done to remedy this condition. Hence it still poses a threat to the safety of the vehicle. I researched the issue via the internet and found a considerable number of postings relating the same problem from other 2018-2020 ford ecosport owners. The results of their efforts mirrored mine. A video of the problem (post repair) is available but not able to download in this format. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| State | AL |
| Description | 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 ? |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Oct 03, 2022 |
| State | IN |
| Description | Hill start failure |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Sep 13, 2022 |
| State | WI |
| Description | I rear ended a car got a concussion because my airbags did not deploy |
| Category | Steering, Structure:body, Suspension |
| Date | Jul 17, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | Suspension will start going up and down not safe while driving |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Jul 17, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | 205/50/17 tires were cut with knife |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Oct 01, 2021 |
| State | TX |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 ford ecosport. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to make a left turn, another vehicle ran a red light and t-boned his vehicle. Due to the impact, his vehicle slammed into a guardrail on a bridge, nearly knocking the vehicle over the bridge. The contact stated that all curtain side airbags were deployed; however, his driver and passenger side airbags did not deploy. The contact stated that he was trapped in the vehicle and had to wait for authorities to assist him out of the vehicle. The contact was rushed to the hospital but decided to leave after a long wait in the emergency room. The contact stated that he did have soreness to his right shoulder and right arm. A police report was filed (210066310). The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where it remained in their possession after the contact was given an estimate for repair. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to nhtsa campaign number: 20v791000(air bags). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,310. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Aug 25, 2021 |
| State | TX |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 ford ecosport. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was in park, the contact exited the vehicle to retrieve an item and without warning, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact ran and entered the vehicle and slammed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,904. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jun 27, 2021 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Car was parked in the driveway and back windshield shattered out of no where. We were outside when we heard the explosion as it happened. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Apr 21, 2021 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | For some reason screen on my entertainment center on ecosport goes black. So far I had two software updates and one screen replacement but the problem still appears. I am so pissed off with this that my dealer is not able to fix this problem. For some reason screen on my entertainment center on ecosport goes black. So far I have had two software updates and one screen replacement but the problem still appears. I am so pissed off with this that my dealer is not able to fix this problem always this problem appears when I turn the gear from parking to drive or drive to parking obviously when I switched the gears, never when I driving so far on 1/7/21, 1/20/21, 2/12/21, 4/15/21 |
| Category | Seats, Structure:body, Suspension |
| Date | Jan 03, 2021 |
| State | FL |
| Description | This car was hit and the seat bent. I am still dealing with hip neck knee and shoulder injuries. It was a rental car. I was sitting at a red light. An 8 ton box truck hit it going approx 45 mph. I sustained a concussion. 2 months later I had a hemorrhagic stroke. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Dec 21, 2020 |
| State | PR |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 ford ecosport. The contact stated that while driving or while in reverse, the brake pedal was depressed and the contact heard an abnormal sound. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to caguas expressway motors, caguas, 00725, puerto rico and was informed that the brake drum and plate needed to be adjusted. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was informed that unknown repairs to the brakes were being performed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,600. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 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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