2021 Ford Ecosport: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Engine · 82,813 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking significantly and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The low engine oil pressure warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a nearby Auto Zone parking lot. The vehicle was then driven to the dealer, where diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved and the contact was provided the codes; however, the dealer informed the contact that there was no availability for the vehicle recall repair. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine oil pump belt had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,813.

Filed May 30, 2025 · Engine · 64,300 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not diagnosed. The contact's grandson, an employee at Pep Boys, informed the contact not to drive the vehicle because the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The "Power Train Malfunction" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer the following day. The contact was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and briefly lost motive power. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · GA

Purchased the 2021 Ford EcoSport from Courtesy Ford (new), where I have the regularly serviced the vehicle. However, my ownership experience has been marked by repeated mechanical failures that have escalated to the point where, after only three years of ownership, I am being asked to replace the transmission—a repair I believe is both premature and unjustified given the circumstances outlined below. Timeline of Issues and Repairs: July 17, 2023: First experienced significant engine performance problems, particularly with the Auto Start feature malfunctioning, which led to the engine stalling while driving. Despite multiple tests, these issues persisted. Eventually, the engine was replaced, but I continued to experience jerking and misfiring after the replacement. October 2023 – January 2024: Despite having the engine replaced, the car began showing worsening jerking and misfiring, especially at higher speeds (60-65 mph or above). February 2024: During routine maintenance, I was informed that a catalytic converter needed replacement due to damage caused by the engine misfiring. I also learned that the starter motors were not replaced during the engine swap, despite it being common to get a tune up at about 80,000 and expecting thorough work after a engine replacement (Is that too much to ask) also being that I get ALL repairs and maintenance done here just for the service “ADVISOR’ to tell me you were been supposed to get a tune up, hysterical October 2024 – January 2025: The engine started losing power and struggling to rev, similar to before the new engine and catalytic converter replacement. After two weeks, I received a $3500 estimate for starters, coils, plugs, a coolant flush, and code P0128. After waiting for recall plans and assistance, I was informed that the technicians had added the two coils and plugs they initially had on the $3500 estimate and said after test driving it w/ those, they see that a new transmission is needed for $7500.

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Engine · 59,164 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but failed to exceed 30 MPH while driving. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was skipping and jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,164. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Engine · 54,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and several messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after attempting to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with battery and alternator failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to another dealer and the contact was awaiting the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Engine · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated and jerked, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Engine · CA

While driving on the highway a “Low Engine Oil Pressure” came up on the screen repeatedly. We immediately pulled off the highway before the vehicle started becoming jerky/shaky while running. We attempted to add oil thinking that might be issue but when we went to run the car again it became harder to start up. The car was towed to a nearby mechanic shop where the diagnostic assessment came back saying that the oil pump is broken. The vehicle could not be repaired at their shop at needed to be re-towed specifically to a Ford dealership. The representative did tell us that this issue has been popping up more and more with ford ecosports. Had we continued to run the car any longer could have resulted in serious damage and ultimately failure of the engine, which could have had severe consequence such as losing control and crashing. Prior to the warning coming on there was zero indication that something may have been wrong- I drive quite a lot for work and throughout the week everything felt normal.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Transmission · MI

According to the dealership, the axle seal tore and leaked transmission fluid. No lights, warnings or messages ever appeared in the days leading up to or following the incident. I noticed a mechanical whining sound about 24hrs prior to the incident (what the dealership later explained was transmission pump) however my car still drove normally otherwise. On my way to work, in a busy intersection with a steep hill, I heard a loud mechanical grinding sound when I tried to accelerate. After which, my card jerked backward and started to drive in reverse instead of forward despite being in drive. I was able to break before hitting oncoming cars. Luckily no one was injured by my moving in the wrong direction or suddenly stopping in an intersection. I was scared to drive my car and took it to the dealership the following Monday. They diagnosed the torn axle seal several days later. I have approximately 13,000 miles on this vehicle and have meticulously maintained it at the dealership of purchase.