A low engine oil pressure notification popped up on my screen while driving on the interstate and then my car slowly stopped letting me accelerate over 65 mph. I had to get to the nearest exist because the car felt as if it was losing power. The car is now at a dealership waiting to be checked out. Nothing showed before this message and it came suddenly on Tuesday 12.12.23
2021 Ford Ecosport powertrain problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 26 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Of the 4 model years of Ford Ecosport we track for powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (26).
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Sudden loss of engine power and the loss of oil pressure indicator came on.
Check engine light came on at 24k miles. Alert on Ford Pass app said the engine wasn't heating up to operating temperature fast enough. Had a second Alert come up the next time I drove the car saying there was an electrical issue in the vehicle causing anti lock breaks and other important driver assistance features to not work including traction control.
Several times now my engine has shut off while driving and in the middle of coming to a stop. Luckily my breaks still worked with the vehicle shut down. I'd have to put in park and manually restart the vehicle to continue driving. This is something that puts myself and others on the road at risk.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 Ford Ecosport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 26 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 82,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.