What 451 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Ecosport

My 2019 Ford EcoSport 1.0L EcoBoost engine began making loud noise consistent with oil pressure failure. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership. The dealership performed a teardown and confirmed the oil pump belt tensioner had failed — the exact defect described in Safety Recall 23S64. The dealer replaced the oil pump belt, tensioner, and oil pump under Recall 23S64. However, the dealer then stated that the resulting engine damage — severe scoring of connecting rod bearings and crankshaft journals caused by oil starvation — is “not related to the recall” and refused to replace the engine under Recall 23S64. Ford’s own recall documentation states: if engine failure is related to a broken oil pump belt or tensioner, a long block engine replacement is authorized as an interim repair at no charge. The updated Service Action also states the oil pump belt and tensioner no longer need to be replaced before long block installation. The causal chain is direct: tensioner failed (recall defect) → oil pressure lost → engine destroyed. The dealer’s refusal to replace the engine appears to violate Ford’s own Recall 23S64 service procedure. The vehicle has been inoperable for weeks. I continue making monthly loan and insurance payments on a vehicle I cannot drive. My extended warranty claim was also denied because the warranty company requires written confirmation from Ford that the engine damage is not recall-related — a document the dealer says they cannot provide. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate whether Ford dealers are systematically denying recall-related engine replacements under 23S64 that they are obligated to perform per Ford’s own recall service procedures. Additionally, prior to the complete engine failure, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly while stopped at a red light in active traffic without any warning. The engine shut off suddenly, consistent with sudden loss of oil pressure caused by the recall defect. This created a dangerous safety situation

NHTSA ODI 11733795

I have had to put a new engine in my 2019 ford ecosport 3 times due to the open recall on the vehicle. It is currently at the ford dealership due to coolant leaking into the head gasket. The problems with the vehicle have been confirmed by the dealers. And no there were ZERO warnings or signs before the vehicle completely failed on us on the highway the first time. Then the same issue happened yet again and had to put my car in the shop again for another new engine due to the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11722109

The vehicle’s engine losses power while driving. Low oil pump pressure appears on the dashboard. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer. There were no warning lamps prior to the failure. The problems started February 2026.

NHTSA ODI 11721481

I was driving and all of a sudden I received a low oil pressure alert on my care and within a min my car lost all power and was completely unable to accelerate. It is currently in the shop and they said it will be months before it is repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11684603

On Dec 20, 2024 at 1:51PM my vehicles check engine light turned on as I was driving an Uber rider to their destination. I was unable to accelerate my gas pedal to get on the freeway. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and saw my check engine light pop up on my dashboard. I checked my Ford App, stating check engine light is on due to low fuel system pressure, poor fuel quality/restricted fuel filter causing limited engine power until resolved. I immediately had my car towed in this case of emergency to the Frontier Ford Dealership to get this resolved. I was told after diagnostic I will be notified if under recall. I was emailed to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic repairs on 1/29/25. Then emailed by CARFAX about the new recall #23V905 that is overdue for my car on 2/14/25. I am currently paying for a car without a free rental and have been out of work for 3 months. I can't afford to pay out of pocket to Frontier Ford Dealership. I need to get back to work and I need my transportation.

NHTSA ODI 11643568

I was having issues where accelerating was difficult for a couple weeks. Then I was going 70 on the highway and began dropping speed quickly (down to 30 mph within 30 seconds). I was pressing on the gas and nothing was happening. My check engine light turned on and the wrench light showed up, my screen when black and I had to pull over, felt like car stalled. Turned car off and then back on to try to get somewhere safer. Far would not go over 20 pulled into parking spot and breaks didn’t work. Got towed to my family mechanic and he drove it and said the same thing happened (he thought it was electric so send me to ford dealer). Dealer could not find anything wrong except a software update was needed. Problem was resolved but I found it hard to believe that was it. Fast forward 10 months later same thing happens. Lights turned on then off. Auto stop/start no longer working. Car feels like it is struggling to accelerate again and once I’m up to the intended speed it seems like it doesn’t want to change gears. Car basically seems like it is driving all wrong.

NHTSA ODI 11624865

I was given my 2nd recall letter. I called ford recall customer service center was told the car is fine until anything goes wrong with the brakes. I was driving my car in light of this. I got a car wash at mobile gas station. The car wash washed underneath the vehicle and after going out the car wash the brakes made a LOUD squeaky sound. I contacted ford like they stated now no answer to my issue just the run around. What can I do? Also when I first bought this vehicle in 2019 I was baking out of my driveway on a slight incline. And heard a loud noise again backing out after just receiving the brand new car.

NHTSA ODI 11603262

My cars engine seized up and almost crashed into someone

NHTSA ODI 11594640

I believe the component that failed is engine oil pump belt tensioner this is a recalled item. It is available for inspection however it cannot be checked out by Ford itself. I have notified 3 dealerships and they all stated that the part will be available in the second quarter and that's it. My car cannot run properly the brakes don't work the engine is making noises and I have a low oil pressure light on. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk when my brakes stopped working while I was driving it. The problem has not been confirmed because they won't let me drop it off until later on this month. My car isn't working and it's the only car I have. There was an low oil pressure light as well as my check engine light. My car engine was making rattling noises and my transmission is having issues shifting. This first appeared June 28th 2024. The Ford company has lied to me and told me that even though there is a recall on my car that it is still drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11592455

I have experience powertrain malfunctions, loss of engine power since June 2023. I had to have my vehicle towed to ford because I had no engine power. The engine was replaced in October and I still am experiencing the same exact issue. The engine light and power train malfunction alerts. I have reduced power and braking while driving. I brought the ecosport back to ford on March 22 2024 and I was quoted $2400 to replace the engine oil pump belt tensioner .when I brought in my vehicle I was never told by ford that this is the exact part that my vehicle has a recall on. My car still has not been fixed and is a safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11580204

Engine pressure oil light on Braking system failure

NHTSA ODI 11533492

I SUSPECT THAT MY 2019 FORD ECOSPORT COMPUTER SYSTEM/CAR IS BEING HACKED/DRIVEN REMOTELY. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR IT IS TURNING IN DIRECTIONS WHEN I AM NOT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE BRAKES ARE FAILING SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO USE THEM, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED WHEN I AM NOT USING THEM, THE DIGITAL DISPLAYS AND RADIO SETTINGS ARE CHANGING WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING, THE CAR IS REDUCING SPEED AND SPEED ACCELERATING WHEN I AM NOT CONTROLLING THEM FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, SO I WILL INPUT TODAYS DATE ON THE FORM. WHEN I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND PA STATE INSPECTION ALL COMPONENTS AND PARTS ARE FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BEING INDICATED. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE THE HACKING ISSUE INVESTIGATED. I AM ALSO SENDING INFORMATION TO THE FBI INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER.

NHTSA ODI 11351642

I PURCHASED VEHICLE OCTOBER 2019 AND ASKED PREOWNED DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY I PURCHASED ABOUT THE ISSUE I HAVE: MY VEHICLE HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION AND JERKS ITS WAY THROUGH GEARS WHEN I AM MOVING AT STOP LIGHT OR BACKING UP FROM PARKING SPACE. ALSO STEERING GEAR SHAKES AND ASKED THEM IF IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI 11342915