2021 Ford Ecosport Electrical System Problems

Vehicle: Ford EcoSport Issue: Overheating / Unsafe to Drive After Recall Repairs Dealership: Bolton Ford Dates: Vehicle at dealership since December 31, 2025 Complaint Text: My Ford EcoSport has been at the dealership since December 31 for multiple recall repairs. After the recall work was completed, the dealership informed me that the vehicle now has an overheating issue and another non‑recall issue; Transmission Roller Restrictor Mount totaling over 580. These issues were not present before the recall repairs. The dealership told me the vehicle is unsafe to drive because the overheating could cause engine damage or failure. Ford is refusing to extend the rental vehicle past March 29th even though my car is unsafe to operate and the parts for the overheating repair will not arrive until the dealership gets to go ahead to fix the repairs, and I was informed that may take a week for those parts to come in. I’m starting a new job and cannot safely drive the vehicle in its current condition. I’am being pressured to take back an unsafe vehicle or pay for repairs I cannot afford. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this safety issue, as Ford is attempting to return a vehicle that is overheating and unsafe to drive. This creates a serious risk of engine failure, breakdown, or accident.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The battery was previously replaced as a temporary repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact owned a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle experience a loss of automotive power. The contact stated that black smoke was leaking from under the hood and the driver-side door would not unlock or unlatch to open. In addition, the contact stated that she managed to exit through the front passenger side door before the vehicle caught on fire. The contact sustained a bruise and scrapes on her left leg however, did not seek medical attention. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

I was exiting the freeway and my engine shut down and was unable to manever the vehicle. Stuck on feeder road, unable to place car in neutral to move car out of the road. Police and passerby have to disconnect transmission in order to move my car out of the road. I had car towed to ford dealership. Ford dealership submitted for recall repair approval twice. Both times denied. Dealership advised car is running but they can not repair anything because Ford will approve repair. When Ford Dealership repair service started to put the car back together they realized bolts were one time use and have to order parts. They have had my car for 5 days and still need to keep it for 3 or 4 more days for the replacement bolts to arrive. My car has not been repaired because Ford won't honor recall because they believe what happened to my car is not recall related. They also stated they don't know why my car lost full power while driving and can't tell me if it will happen again. I do not feel safe driving the car, I feel lucky I was exiting the freeway when it happened, but if I was going full speed on the freeway when I lost power I believe it could have been catastrophic! How can Ford not approve a repair that is a known problem with the vehicle even with the severely of the consequences if the engine fails again. I don't feel safe driving this car, but I don't have a choice because it is the only car I have.

I am filing this complaint regarding critical safety issues with my 2021 Ford Ecosport that arose immediately after an engine replacement performed under Recall #23S64 (Engine Oil Pump Belt and Tensioner Replacement). On [XXX], I dropped off my vehicle at Covert Ford-Lincoln in Austin, TX, for the recall repair. The dealership replaced the engine, but since then, my vehicle has developed severe defects directly resulting from Ford’s improper repair procedures. On [XXX], I picked up the vehicle. Within 20 miles, it abruptly shut off while in motion and would not restart, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership, where they blamed the issue on a faulty battery—despite no prior issues. I paid $300 for a replacement. During a test drive, the check engine light illuminated, and the dealership diagnosed a knock sensor issue, which they claimed was unrelated to the engine replacement. They charged me nearly $200 for the repair, saying it was “bad timing.” On April 11, 2025, after nearly two months without resolution, I visited the dealership to find the vehicle still unrepaired. I also discovered damage to the hood while in their care and was informed of additional issues, including unusual piston sounds from the new engine. These problems, including the engine shutdown, knock sensor failure, and piston damage, were nonexistent before the recall repair and are clear consequences of Ford’s mishandling of the engine replacement. These unresolved defects have rendered my vehicle unsafe and unusable for over two months. I am requesting that Ford replace my vehicle or issue a full refund, as the recall repair has caused systemic and ongoing failures. Ford must take responsibility for ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2021 Ford EcoSport SES 2.0L gets an Engine Coolant Over-Temperature and Service Engine Soon Warning. In each instance, the Ford service center replaced the engine coolant temperature sensor and/or its associated wiring. In a short time after the repair, the same issue reoccurs (over six times now). Engine is not actually experiencing an over-temp issue, it is just that the sensor/wiring is faulty. When the issue occurs, the car is put into limp mode with reduced power/acceleration, sometimes at highway speeds or when accelerating onto the highway. I've been caught in traffic at highway speed then the car suddenly loses power in limp-mode forcing me to move over to slow lane or to pull over to the shoulder to avoid impeding traffic.

My vehicle has outright lost power and shut down entirely with the engine non functional approximately 6 times since I acquired it back in March of 2024. This recall has existed for 2 months prior to me getting my vehicle and I was unaware of the recall at the time I purchased it because dealerships selling vehicles with open recalls wasn’t something I was aware was legal considering the imminent potential safety risks. I have nearly wrecked 3 times while going 50+ mph on major local roads and highways because of my car shutting off entirely with 0 notice. To be entirely honest I don’t have enough money to go out and finance another car and I also don’t think a fault vehicle should become my liability when it’s faulty because of processes the manufacture has cut costs on. Not only is driving my vehicle extremely dangerous but it’s my only choice as the alternatives are viable options regarding costs. Assuming I were to get into a wreck knowing this issue was occurring I’d be liable per my insurance for something a multi billion dollar corporation has considered a “non-issue” for literally over a year now. When this happens my power steering loses its functionality locking up the steering wheel entirely, every light and electronic in the car shuts off instantly, and the engine shuts off but because my vehicle is in motion it continues rolling until my speed reaches 0. My brakes haven’t worked more than a fraction of how they’d normally work if my car were working as intended which is extremely annoying because sometimes like while in 5pm traffic I NEED to brake and am unable to which is very dangerous. I have had my car for just about a year and once every 2 months something that could potentially kill me and cause millions of dollars in damage has occurred while the manufacturer has had more time than I’ve had my vehicle to fix the issue. I only filed a complaint now because I was unaware I was able to prior. Thanks.

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.

On 7/18/2023, this vehicle was involved in a fatal crash. The vehicle stopped moving and would not proceed forward after stopping major roadway. A motorcycle struck the vehicle from behind and the two occupants were killed. The owner of the vehicle contacted the dealership where she bought it from on 7/1/2023, in which they did not locate the issue. The owner of the vehicle said that the issue has happened numerous times before the crash occurred.

Faulty sensors that appeared to have been fixed with more faulty sensors. The car's sensors result in the car thinking it is in park, locking up the wheel, and losing some of the drive assist and controls.