Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford EcoSport, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 107 | 41% |
| Engine | 42 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 5% |
| Power train | 10 | 4% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 1% |
| Engine | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My vehicles service engine light has been on for over a year now. I have contacted the service department and Ford Dealership. I was told that it was covered under Ford and I would not be charged. I have called the Ford
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking slowly and felt that the shaking was coming from the rear end. The contact st
NHTSA complaint: Power train
For 14 months, I attempted to get active recalls fixed on the car at Downtown Sacramento Ford, which claimed to be certified pre-owned per Folsom Lake Ford but had existing recalls and issues when I bought it in March of
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Unknown how it happened. After parking noticed back driver side tire was tilted. Took picture next morning under car to see that the cross arm was broken in half. Car was not drivable and was towed to a Ford dealershi
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Manufacturer has delayed repaired vehicle under campaign 23V905. Loss of use / unable to use this unsafe vehicle. It has been at the dealership and supposedly awaiting parts since September 2025. Manufacturer’s custome
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Safety Recall 23S64 was completed on my 2021 Ford EcoSport on approx. Oct 19, 2025. After ~15,000 miles, the same system failed again on [XXX], causing loss of power and loss of braking assist. Fredericktown Pettus Ford
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Engine failed after repair of15000 miles with same break down The dealership did not clean out shredded timing belt and the second belt was shredded
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Car had an interim engine placed in March 2024, for Ford recall 23S64. Then car stalled again in May 2026, took in it to have it checked and they repaired the engine and replaced the catalytic converter as per Ford recal
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford EcoSport. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 authoriz
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 EcoSport vehicles. The front axle half shafts may disconnect from the transmission, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a disconnected half shaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or inj
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford'
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, 2021-2
Risk: 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
Fix: 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 fo
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 107 of them (41%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2021 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.