Statement of Problem & Safety Risk: I am filing a complaint regarding a persistent, critical safety defect on my 2020 Ford EcoSport. This vehicle previously suffered an engine failure linked to Ford Recall 23S64 / the federal safety agency Campaign 23V‑905 (oil pump drive belt/tensioner failure causing loss of oil pressure). An engine assembly replacement was performed under the recall around 58,000 miles. Despite having the recall service performed, the replacement engine has now experienced a secondary failure. The vehicle’s wrench light illuminated, and the car went into severe "Limp Mode" while being driven, resulting in an immediate loss of accelerator power and engine torque. This creates an extreme safety hazard, causing a sudden loss of drive power in traffic and exposing the engine to potential oil starvation, complete engine seizure, and loss of power braking assist. Manufacturer & Dealership Non-Compliance: Both Ford Motor Company customer service and local Ford dealership management have stonewalled our requests to diagnose and address this recurring safety hazard under the active federal recall. They have refused to assist or provide appropriate loaner transportation while the vehicle remains unsafe to operate. I request that the federal safety agency document this failed recall repair, investigate repeat oil pump belt/engine failures on vehicles serviced under Campaign 23V‑905, and compel Ford Motor Company to honor its safety recall obligations. This is an ongoing problem these cars are junk and the consumer is stuck paying for it. I am not sure what date to put underneath here because the issue is ongoing
2020 Ford Ecosport: stuck in gear or won't shift
5 of the 403 complaints about the 2020 Ford Ecosport describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
What owners say
Vehicle experienced sudden severe loss of motive power consistent with Ford Safety Recall 23S64 (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V905000). Prior to repair, the vehicle entered limp mode and could not accelerate beyond approximately 30 to 35 MPH. Low oil pressure warning indicators and check engine light illuminated repeatedly. Engine produced abnormal grinding and strained startup noises. Vehicle also experienced hesitation, shaking, and difficulty maintaining safe roadway speeds. While I was trying stop at a red light the vehicle struggles to brake although the brakes are applied, after coming to a full stop the vehicle shutdowns and would have restart. During operation, vehicle struggled to accelerate in traffic and braking performance became concerning due to severe engine power loss and unstable operation. On multiple occasions, the engine nearly stalled or shut down completely after stopping at intersections. Vehicle was delivered to Ford dealership for Recall 23S64 repair. Dealer completed the recall repair and stated oil pressure had been restored; however, the vehicle continued exhibiting the same severe loss of power and limp mode symptoms after completion of the recall procedure. Dealer later performed additional diagnostics and identified DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low) and a broken intake camshaft requiring major engine repairs estimated at approximately $9,000. Dealer stated the engine damage was not covered or related under the recall despite the vehicle originally presenting with the same low oil pressure, loss of motive power, and drivability symptoms described in Recall 23S64. Vehicle remains unsafe to operate due to unresolved loss of power and internal engine damage. Concern exists that the recall related oil pressure failure may have caused consequential internal engine damage that was not fully corrected by the recall repair procedure. Problem has been confirmed by authorized Ford dealership inspection and diagnostic testing.
My ecosport’s coolant reservoir has a leak. Due to this, my car overheated and went into limp mode. A week later, my ecosport would crank but not start, I believe this is due to a cracked cylinder from the oil pump recall. I received a recall notice for the oil pump in June with no current remedy. Now, I am having these issues with my vehicle. A mobile mechanic looked at my vehicle.
Was driving my vehicle 2020 Ford EcoSport, engine blew due to oil pump being internally belt driven and submersed in oil. It caused the belt to decay and plug my uptake which brings oil to the top of the engine. Paid for a tow to the nearest dealership after my vehicle failed driving 75 on an interstate down a mountain to Phoenix AZ. Lights went off and a low oil pressure light came on and the vehicle and in to limp mode and would not accelerate. It took the dealer a month to figure out and resolve my issue but over 2 months to get my car repaired and back to me. Ford accepted some responsibility and assisted in laying 60% of a $7,000 bill. This happened 2/8/2023. Got my car back end of April 2023 and within in the first month check engine light returned. Brought it to a dealer in Flagstaff AZ and discovered a sensor had gone bad (cam shaft sensor) and I paid over $209 for that to be completed and the previous dealer reinstalled my subframe incorrectly when they replaced the engine. Fast forward to yesterday 10/10/23 and I’m in my car with my new engine with less than 10,000 miles on it. I try to accelerate to highway speeds and check engine light comes on with a “see manual message” and it goes in to limp mode with no way to accelerate. I safely drove it 2 miles to the nearest Ford dealer in Lake Havasu AZ and was informed that my engine was blown once again due to a failed oil pump. I still owe on this car and it’s cost me so much money in repairs and rental cars and I’m going belly up financially because of it: huge safety issue and a terribly flawed engine design. It should never have been sold.
On July 27, 2023 as I was accelerating to enter a busy interstate, my vehicle warning light came on for low oil pressure and went into a limp mode only allowing the vehicle to drive 45MPH. There were no warnings other than this light and message appearing on dash as the vehicle lost power. The 18 wheeler approaching behind my vehicle was able to get in a different lane and not hit me and I pulled onto shoulder until I could exit. I had approximately 87,000 miles on the odometer. I contacted the local dealership to have the vehicle towed for an inspection. When the vehicle was brought in for inspection, the technician seemed to know the precise problem from just the description of events. After they inspected the car, they confirmed that the vehicle’s engine experienced an oil pump failure that would require a new engine. The vehicle has been at dealership since that day awaiting the back ordered engine to arrive so it can be installed. Today is September 25, 2023 and I still have not heard of an estimated date for the back ordered engine from Ford to arrive. The repair is estimated to be $8,300 since it was out of warranty. I have already given a $4,000 deposit to the service department so they could order the engine parts, although the engine isn’t even accessible. I have since rented a car totaling $1050 and just went and purchased a second vehicle so I wouldn’t have to waste more money renting a vehicle.
Service bulletins that may apply
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,...
- Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicle customers may receive a message in their FordPass or Lincoln Way...
- Reoccurring illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04DB. This...
- Illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018,...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2020 Ford Ecosport won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2020 Ford Ecosport?
5 of 403 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Ecosport (1%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford Ecosport?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford Ecosport
Engine failure 82Check engine light 74Loss of power 35Stalling 33Knocking 20Jerking 13Hesitation 11Fire or smoke 9Overheating 9Won't start 7Backup camera 6Grinding brakes 6Fuel pump 6No deployment 5Oil consumption 5Shudder 5
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