The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 349 of 403 complaints (87%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (22) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 464 in 2019 to 403 in 2020.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 403
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$2,500
- Combined MPG
- 25–28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–27 / 29 | 23–27 / 29 | 23–27 / 29 | 23–27 / 29 | 23 / 29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 314–353 | 316–355 | 318–355 | 318–355 | 351 | |
| Complaints filed | 728 | 464 | 403 | 262 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 5 | 26 | 5 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford EcoSport have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Ford EcoSport?
Engine: 349 of 403 NHTSA complaints (87%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford EcoSport get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Ford EcoSport?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 3 | 1.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 27 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 318 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 349 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 53 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 40 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Consequence
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
- Consequence
- A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 EcoSport and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles. Depending on the model, either the driver side or passenger side frontal air bag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- Air bag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag module on either the driver or passenger side, free of charge. This recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.