Is Your Ford EcoSport a Lemon? A Recall, Service Bulletin and Other Problems

Owners of the Ford EcoSport chose the sub-compact SUV because they thought it would be fun to drive, wouldn’t break the bank and it wasn’t a lemon.

However, some owners are having buyer’s remorse as they grapple with breakdowns and other problems. Reports from consumers made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discuss various problems in 2019 to 2021 models ranging from low gas mileage and transmission issues, to dangerous airbags that fail to deploy in a crash.

Consumers bought just over 60,000 EcoSport SUVs in both 2019 and 2020, but last year sales dropped 33 percent to about 40,659 cars in 2021. Additionally, Ford has announced it will no longer make the model after 2022. So far this year, Ford has sold 8,400 in the first quarter of 2022.

Ford Motor Company sells its 2022 EchoSport for between $22,040 MSRP and $28,395 for the fully-loaded models.

Stalling/shutting down

One person had concerns about their 2021 Ford EcoSport being a lemon when it shut down on them while driving. The issue occurred three times since they purchased the EcoSport in April 2021. Apparently, the message on the instrumental panel cluster (IPC) screen warned the motorist to put the vehicle in park and then restart the vehicle.

This type of incident could easily cause a crash with injuries or even a fatality.

Ford issued a notice about the issue on Nov. 30, 2021. The report stated the vehicle may exhibit an engine stall while braking aggressively from low speed. The driver will receive a screen message in the form of the auto start/stop indicator lamp flashing. The battery indicator lamp may come on and tell the driver to shift to park. This may be due to the software in the PCM. To correct this condition, follow the Service procedure to reprogram the PCM.

The 2021 models also has issues with the auto start/stop system becoming inoperative or the cruise control disabling.

Transmission rebuild

A driver of a brand, new 2020 Ford EcoSport compared the car to a 1970s Chevrolet Vega. “It is a piece of junk,” the owner said on the NHTSA website. The vehicle had a bad alternator, has terrible fuel economy, high brake noise, underpowered, and a rough transmission.

Entertainment center screen

After two software updates and one screen replacement, one Ford EcoSport owner reported the problems persisted on their entertainment center. The dealership was unable to fix the problem and the screen continues to go black. The issue happens when the owner turns the gear from parking to drive or visa versa.

2020 Ford Eco Sport Recall

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport as well as 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. The vehicles are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve in either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules. This fails to meet requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”

The NHTSA is aware of a collision involving a 2020 Ford EcoSport where the driver was T-boned by another motorist. The vehicle slammed into a guardrail on a bridge, but the driver and passenger side airbags did not deploy. The motorist became trapped in the vehicle and suffered undisclosed injuries.

2019 Recall Seats

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2019 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle’s front seat frames may have been improperly welded and the seat back improperly secured. These vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requirement number 207, “Seating Systems,” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.”

2019 Ford Eco Sport Service Bulletin

Most people who purchase the Ford EcoSport are seeking fuel savings, but instead they have a vehicle with an underpowered engine and other concerns. Service Bulletin #SSM 48093 states that some of the 1.0L EcoBoost engines may struggle with a loss of engine oil pressure. This may be the result of a broken engine oil pump belt tensioner. However, the repair for the EcoBoost requires an entirely new engine.

Here’s what happened to one owner who dealt with this issue. There was a lack of power at a time when they found themselves stuck between two semi-trucks. The gas pedal kept going to the floor and then it stuck there “like a rock at full throttle. I pulled on it stepped on it checked my floor mat nothing.”

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson

Did you purchase a Ford EcoSport with a major safety issue? If so, you may need help. Also, vehicles in the shop for 30 days or more may have a cause for legal action.

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your Ford EcoSport case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.

We recommend that you obtain an invoice for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Contact us for a free case review at (888) 941-9424.