Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2021GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual
241 serious complaints of 259, the most about engine and engine cooling (134) and engine (86); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation PE23015: oil pump failure.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ecosport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine and engine cooling, Apr 2025
“The contact's son owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 50 MPH, the check oil and an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2024
Fixes and extended coverage
- Repair program Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change (26L02, Aug 2026)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
259 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 25–28 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2021 trims and features
Every EcoSport year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2021
- Starting prices: +$195 to +$630 (3 trims; hover for each)
2021 EcoSport trims
| S | SE | SES | Titanium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ||||
| Starting MSRP | from $19,995 | from $23,960 | $27,575 | from $26,895 |
| Powertrain | ||||
| Engine | AWD 2.0L I4: 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI I-4 FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1.0L EcoBoost I-3 | AWD 2.0L I4: 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI I-4 FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1.0L EcoBoost I-3 | 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI I-4 | AWD 2.0L I4: 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI I-4 FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1.0L EcoBoost I-3 |
| Horsepower | AWD 2.0L I4: 166 hp FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 123 hp | AWD 2.0L I4: 166 hp FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 123 hp | 166 hp | AWD 2.0L I4: 166 hp FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 123 hp |
| Torque | AWD 2.0L I4: 149 lb-ft FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 125 lb-ft | AWD 2.0L I4: 149 lb-ft FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 125 lb-ft | 149 lb-ft | AWD 2.0L I4: 149 lb-ft FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 125 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission | 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission | 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission | 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | AWD 2.0L I4 / FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3 | AWD 2.0L I4 / FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3 | Awd | AWD 2.0L I4 / FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3 |
| Fuel economy (combined) | AWD 2.0L I4: 25 mpg FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 28 mpg | AWD 2.0L I4: 25 mpg FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 28 mpg | 25 mpg | AWD 2.0L I4: 25 mpg FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 28 mpg |
| Size and capability | ||||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Max towing | AWD 2.0L I4: 2,000 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1,400 lb | AWD 2.0L I4: 2,000 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1,400 lb | 2,000 lb | AWD 2.0L I4: 2,000 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 1,400 lb |
| Max cargo | 50 cu ft | 50 cu ft | 50 cu ft | 50 cu ft |
| Length | 161.3 in | 161.3 in | 161.3 in | 161.3 in |
| Curb weight | AWD 2.0L I4: 3,300 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 3,020 lb | AWD 2.0L I4: 3,300 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 3,020 lb | 3,300 lb | AWD 2.0L I4: 3,300 lb FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: 3,020 lb |
| Tech | ||||
| Touchscreen | 4.2 in | 8 in | 8 in | 8 in |
| Apple CarPlay | — | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Android Auto | — | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Audio | — | — | — | Bang & Olufsen |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 + option | 7 | 10 |
| Driver assistance | ||||
| Blind-spot monitoring | — | Optional | Blind Spot Alert | Blind Spot Alert |
| Rear cross-traffic | — | Optional | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Rear Cross-Traffic Alert |
| Parking sensors | Rear | Rear | Rear | Rear |
| Comfort | ||||
| Seats | Cloth + option | Cloth + option | Synthetic Leather + option | AWD 2.0L I4: Leather FWD EcoBoost 1.0L I3: — |
| Heated seats | — | Front | Front | Front |
| Remote start | App-Based Remote Start | App-Based Remote Start | App-Based Remote Start | App-Based Remote Start |
| Second row | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench |
| Exterior | ||||
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in + option | 17 in | 17 in |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (45)
| S | SE | SES | Titanium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Management Package $110 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Equipment Group 100A | Standard | — | — | — |
| Equipment Group 200A | — | Standard | — | — |
| SE Appearance Package $495 | — | Optional | — | — |
| Equipment Group 300A | — | — | Standard | — |
| Equipment Group 400A | — | — | — | Standard |
| Interior Protection Package $195 | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| SE Convenience Package $1,495 | — | Optional | — | — |
| Roof Crossbars | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Engine Block Heater $75 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Front License Plate Bracket | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Hood Deflector | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Keyless-Entry Keypad $110 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Overlander Decal $195 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof-Mounted Bike Carrier | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Side-Window Deflectors | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Front and Rear Molded Splash Guards $200 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Wheel Lock Kit | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Area Protector | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Dash Cam Systems | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Floor Liners | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Portable Mini-Fridge | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Remote Start System $495 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| 16" Low-Gloss Magnetic-Painted Machined-Face Aluminum | Standard | — | — | — |
| 16" Shadow Silver-Painted Aluminum | — | Standard | — | — |
| 17" Black-Painted Aluminum | — | — | Standard | — |
| 17" Dark Stainless-Painted Machined Aluminum | — | — | — | Standard |
| 17" Shadow Silver Aluminum | — | Optional | — | — |
| Blue Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Diamond White | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Lightning Blue | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Luxe Yellow | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Moondust Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Race Red | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat $395 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Shadow Black | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Smoke Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat $595 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ebony Black ActiveX Seating Material with Gray Accents | — | — | Optional | — |
| Ebony Black ActiveX Seating Material | — | — | — | Optional |
| Ebony Black Cloth with Orange Copper Accents | — | Optional | — | — |
| Medium Light Stone ActiveX Seating Material | — | — | — | Optional |
| Medium Stone Cloth | Optional | — | — | — |
| Unique Ebony Black Cloth | — | Optional | — | — |
| Unique Medium Stone Cloth | — | Optional | — | — |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, option rules. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 166 hp | AWD | 25 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 11 | Unknown or other (2) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 25–28 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 259 | Engine and engine cooling (134) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 123 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 116 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–28 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 399 | Engine and engine cooling (179) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 25–28 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 460 | Engine and engine cooling (215) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 123 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 166 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–28 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 726 | Engine (355) | Yes |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: EcoSport 2018–2022 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ford EcoSport SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 11 |
| 2022 | Ford EcoSport SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 11 |
| 2021 | Ford EcoSport SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 259 |
| 2021 | Ford EcoSport SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 259 |
| 2020 | Ford EcoSport SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 399 |
| 2020 | Ford EcoSport SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 399 |
| 2019 | Ford EcoSport 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 460 |
| 2019 | Ford EcoSport 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 460 |
| 2018 | Ford EcoSport 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 726 |
| 2018 | Ford EcoSport 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 726 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | EcoSport AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 25 |
| 2021 | EcoSport AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 25 |
| 2021 | EcoSport FWD | Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2020 | EcoSport AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 25 |
| 2020 | EcoSport FWD | Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2019 | EcoSport AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 25 |
| 2019 | EcoSport FWD | Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2018 | EcoSport AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 25 |
| 2018 | EcoSport FWD | Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.