Check a VIN

Ford Ecosport overheating problems

33 of the 1,871 owner complaints about the Ford Ecosport describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2021 model year.

owner complaints
33
worst model year
2021
typical mileage
73,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Engine failure 17Check engine light 7Stalling 6Loss of power 5Fire or smoke 4Won't shift 2Misfire 2Oil consumption 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P1299 2P0217 2P1825 1P1285 1P04DB 1P0496 1P0316 1P0303 1P0301 1

What owners say

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · 57,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the message “Engine Overheating” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. An alternate dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be picked up by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Engine · AZ

On August 20, 2026, my 2018 Ford EcoSport equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine suddenly shut down while I was driving on the highway. The unexpected loss of engine power created a serious safety concern because the vehicle became disabled while traveling in highway traffic. This failure occurred despite extensive previous engine-related repairs, including completion of Ford Safety Recall 23S64. On September 15, 2025, the vehicle overheated, the check-engine light illuminated, and coolant had to be added. Camelback Ford subsequently diagnosed a cracked thermostat housing, cracked coolant expansion reservoir, and failed reservoir cap. These components were replaced. During the same September 2025 service visit, Camelback Ford performed Safety Recall 23S64, replacing the engine oil-pump drive belt, tensioner, and timing belt on the original engine. In December 2025, the vehicle experienced significant power loss. Camelback Ford diagnosed a failed vacuum pump and discovered that the turbocharger’s internal turbine had come apart and completely seized. The turbocharger was replaced in January 2026. Approximately seven months later, on August 20, 2026, the engine unexpectedly shut down on the highway. The vehicle was taken to Earnhardt Ford. On October 16, 2026, the dealership reported severe coolant intrusion into cylinder 3. During a cooling-system pressure test, cylinder 3 filled with coolant within approximately 10 minutes. Diagnostic codes included P0217, P0301, P0303, P0316, P1285, and P1299, indicating overheating and engine misfires. Earnhardt Ford suspects an internal cylinder-wall failure but has not confirmed the exact source of the coolant intrusion. The dealership recommends complete engine long-block replacement. I am concerned about the safety of these engines, particularly the risk of sudden engine shutdown while driving, even after completion of an engine-related safety recall. I request that the federal safety agency review this incident for a potential safety def

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · NC

"Our 2020 Ford EcoSport has suffered multiple catastrophic engine failures directly caused by the defective oil pump drive belt covered under the federal safety agency Recall 23V905000 / Ford Recall 23S64. The authorized recall remedy completely failed to permanently resolve the safety hazard on this vehicle, leading to repeated, highly dangerous highway emergencies. On 5/22/24 We towed the car to the dealer after sudden loss of oil pressure on highway during rush-hour traffic creating a stressful and dangerous stalling hazard. (93,601 Miles) On 7/31/24 An Interim engine (#2) was installed without the fix due to a lack of parts. On 8/28 - 9/24/25 We left our car for a month to complete the recall remedy. (131,635) On 8/21/26 We brought our car to the dealer after severe overheating occurred on the highway creating a dangerous situation. (164,934 Miles) On 8/25/25 the dealer misdiagnosed this recall symptom as a simple sensor issue and replaced the cylinder head temp sensor. We paid $2,659.57. On 10/1/26 (168,664) Just 3,730 miles after the misdiagnosis, the engine catastrophically blew during rush-hour traffic with the total loss of vehicle power creating a very dangerous situation.This final failure occurred exactly 1 year and 7 days after the recall fix date—just one week past the warranty window confirmed by Ford Corporate. The interim engine failed at exactly 75,063 miles since its 2024 install, matching the known premature failure window for these interim blocks. On 10/10/26 The local dealership denied us warranty coverage forcing us to pay $7,538.04 out-of-pocket for the engine alone. On top of the $2,659.57 for the sensor, plus $260.00 for a car rental, we paid $10,457.61 in forced costs for a recurring federal safety defect. Please investigate the premature failure of Ford's 23S64 replacement engines and remedy parts, as they present an ongoing highway stalling risk.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Engine · AZ

It was a recall oil pump tensor bar. They fixed that blew the engine.I had to wait for them to fix what they messed up with the engine.They fixed that drove forty miles away from the dealer and the engine overheated

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Vehicle: Ford EcoSport Issue: Overheating / Unsafe to Drive After Recall Repairs Dealership: Bolton Ford Dates: Vehicle at dealership since December 31, 2025 Complaint Text: My Ford EcoSport has been at the dealership since December 31 for multiple recall repairs. After the recall work was completed, the dealership informed me that the vehicle now has an overheating issue and another non‑recall issue; Transmission Roller Restrictor Mount totaling over $580. These issues were not present before the recall repairs. The dealership told me the vehicle is unsafe to drive because the overheating could cause engine damage or failure. Ford is refusing to extend the rental vehicle past March 29th even though my car is unsafe to operate and the parts for the overheating repair will not arrive until the dealership gets to go ahead to fix the repairs, and I was informed that may take a week for those parts to come in. I’m starting a new job and cannot safely drive the vehicle in its current condition. I’am being pressured to take back an unsafe vehicle or pay for repairs I cannot afford. I am requesting the federal safety agency to investigate this safety issue, as Ford is attempting to return a vehicle that is overheating and unsafe to drive. This creates a serious risk of engine failure, breakdown, or accident.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · 80,460 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating and was parked until the engine cooled down. The failure was persistent, and the engine continued to overheat. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall repair for the replacement of the engine. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine was on back order. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with cooling fan and control module failures. The contact was informed that the cooling fan and cooling module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact declined to pay for the repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in September 2025. The contact stated that prior to the purchase, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced. The original owner was informed that there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated the dealer was the original dealer that serviced the vehicle in September 2025. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and three cases were filed. The failure mileage was 80,460.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The vehicle was initially taken to the local dealer for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V011000 (Equipment). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine had overheated. A diagnostic scanner was used to determine that the head overheat protection was active and there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. The hose was not connected to the heater cooler. The donut gasket was not attached to the exhaust. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the O-ring had failed to snap in place. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · TX

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.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · 57,831 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was sluggish while driving. The contact had previously received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle did not require the recall remedy because no failures related to the recall had been identified at that time. The contact later noticed that while the vehicle was parked, oil was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that a significant amount of oil located near the transmission was leaking, and the low oil warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pan was off-center, creating a gap that allowed oil to leak. The dealer informed the contact that the oil pan needed to be repositioned, oil added, and the catalytic converter needed to be removed to complete the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while the vehicle was later parked and turned off, the engine overheated, with an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine compartment, and smoke coming from the oil fill cap. After allowing the vehicle to cool down, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that no oil loss was found and that the failure could not be duplicated after a test drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,831.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Engine · 82,800 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that a month later, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had been performed and the vehicle was ready for pick up. The contact stated that the vehicle was picked up and driven to the residence; however, the vehicle later failed to start. A mobile technician from the dealer arrived at the residence and continuously pushed the START button until the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred upon retrieving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the failure was occurring due to a coolant leak. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,800.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pumpReported December 22, 2023 · 139,730 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

Recall number 23V905000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Ecosport overheating

Which Ford Ecosport years have engine overheating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2021 (10 complaints), 2020 (9 complaints) and 2018 (8 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Ford Ecosport?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history