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Ford Ecosport jerking problems

54 of the 1,871 owner complaints about the Ford Ecosport describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2019 model year.

owner complaints
54
worst model year
2019
typical mileage
64,300
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · WA

My automatic transmission has a problem going into gear, slow to engage in any gear. when needing to accelerate there is no response, just the high rev of the engine but absolutely no acceleration. The car has a hard jerk and thud sound when it does go into gear, this is when driving the car.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Engine · 60,682 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle jerked, lost automotive power, or stalled on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted after approximately 5 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown interim repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) was performed twice; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that failure might be unrelated to the recall, and that further diagnostic tests were needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,682.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Engine · 85,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked. Most recently, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was informed that parts would possibly be available within one year and that there was a long waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was worsening. 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 issue. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

my ford EcoSport had to get a new motor due to teh recall issue but since they put a new motor my ac and heater had to be replaced. my battery. my sensors pop on and off. My car won't go over 65 and when it does it jerks. Ford did replace the motor but ive asked for them to buy the car back and they have refused my car has completely shut off and ive taken to ford and they don't know. i have the poofe code and my gas could be full and driving it 5 minutes im on e. they dont know if its the sensor or the tank. i always smell something burning. ive asked they said thats normal, but the smell gets stronger and stronger.

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 Aug 8, 2025 · Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle would not be serviced under the recall if the engine had not failed or seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was serviced under warranty, and the transmission was replaced. Despite the transmission replacement, the failure persisted and became more frequent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Engine · OH

The contact owns a 2018 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while attempting to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The issue appears to be related to the powertrain system, specifically the belt tension or transmission shifting components. A “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” warning message appeared through the FordPass app, and I have also been experiencing jerking or hesitation when applying pressure to the gas pedal, particularly during gear shifts. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. ⸻ How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The unexpected jerking and reduction in power while driving could pose a serious safety risk, especially when merging onto highways or changing lanes, where smooth acceleration is critical. This behavior could result in a loss of control or increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision in traffic. ⸻ Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? An independent mechanic has reviewed the issue and suspects that it may be related to the previously reported belt tension recall, although my specific vehicle VIN was not included in that recall group. The mechanic observed the jerking and powertrain alert and recommended further inspection. ⸻ Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. I am currently in the process of filing this report and seeking guidance from the manufacturer to determine the next steps for inspection and resolution. ⸻ Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. The “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” message appeared via the FordPass app. Prior to the alert, I had noticed intermittent jerking and hesitation during acceleration, which became more noticeable within the last few weeks leading up to the warning

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally while the transmission was shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed there were metal shavings found inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported February 28, 2025 · 18,648 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 injury.
Remedy
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's number for this recall is 25S12.

Recall number 25V126000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Ecosport jerking

Which Ford Ecosport years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2019 (18 complaints), 2018 (14 complaints) and 2020 (13 complaints).

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