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Ford Ecosport won't start problems

32 of the 1,871 owner complaints about the Ford Ecosport describe won't start, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
32
worst model year
2018
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 9Loss of power 8Engine failure 8Stalling 6Warning lights 2Start-stop 2Misfire 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0496 1P0340 1P0014 1P0012 1

What owners say

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

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 Customer Service Department about my vehicle, but nothing seems to be correct. I am making a car payment, but I am not getting service down on my vehicle especially when it's not my fault, I have these issues. I thought better of Ford. Every time I get gas in my vehicle it will not start, it's so frustrating and embarring I still have a warranty on my Ford, I am completely disgusted I literally sit there and repeat 3 times, and it finally starts, I have done everything it says to do I even replaced a purge valve, and my light comes back on. Also, when I am driving my car acts like its losing power. So now they are staying I may have a small gas leak and for me to have them put my car on a Smoke Machine. I just want my car fixed so I will feel safe driving I am even afraid to drive to [XXX] to see my daughter my car is a 2021. Also, I have either 2 recalls or 3 recalls, and I have an issue with my powertrain: Action Recommended. warning light. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Fuel system · NC

For a month, every time I put gas in my car whether I filled up or just put half a tank my car will not start for 10-15 minutes. I took it to the ford place and my extended warranty wouldn't cover it. It seems like an evap valve would be covered. I have only had my car 11 months. This is going to cost over $1,000 to fix. It seems like ford should be responsible for the repairs.

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI

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 recall 23S64. We replaced at our cost ther cam sensors. 7 days after picking up the vehicle, it shut down in the middle lane of the Southfield Freeway causing a safety issue to me and those around me. One the vehicle was safely on the side of the road thanks to some construction workers, I called for a tow. After 30 minutes I tried to start the car and it did not start. After 40 minutes the car started AAA and I was able to get it to Dean Seller Ford if Troy. They refused to check the work the did week prior and are saying that they can not test it until we replace the battery and starter. You don't need those to visually inspect. I do not feel the car is safe to drive at this point as it is a huge safety risk to myself and drivers around me

Filed May 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC

After having to have my vehicle towed to & held by the dealership for a total of 3 months altogether over the course of two separate engine rebuilds due to a national recall on faulty oil pump parts, my vehicle's check engine light came on & gave a message that there was an issue with the emissions system. I am now experiencing multiple engine system faults EVERY SINGLE TIME I refuel my vehicle where my engine will not start until after 10+ attempts & now that the weather is hotter, I'm also experiencing engine system faults while driving in town & on the highway where the engine completely shuts down & I lose all power, including steering power, while I'm driving! The system instructs me to put the car in park, turn the key to the off position & restart the vehicle WHILE I'M STILL TRYING TO MANUEVER TO SAFETYWITH ZERO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD/HIGHWAY! I was almost hit by other vehicles multiple times! This vehicle is my only source of transportation but it is wholly dangerous & totally unsafe to drive!

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

After fueling, codes P0496 will show and car will not start or struggle to start. Stalling when on freeway and rough idle. My vehicle shut off on the freeway causing me to almost crash and had to stop immediatly. In my investigation, it seems I am not the only one suffering this issue. I am on my 2nd engine replacement from the original recall as well.

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Engine · NC

Due to a lack of available parts for this recall, the vehicle repairs will take up to 30 plus days before the parts arrive. On top of that, there is a waiting list for the vehicles that need to be fixed. This means, I will be without a vehicle for a lengthy amount of time. They don’t have enough loaners vehicles and I cannot afford to purchase a new car at this time. This recall issue has caused people lots of unneeded stress, maintenance cost, and loss of wages. Ford needs to be held accountable on this issues. Additionally, I took the vehicle to a Ford Dealership (LaFayette Ford) on/about the 2 of May 2025. There were two recalls on the vehicle at that time. The fixed one recall. They informed that, there was nothing they could do with recall 23S64 until the vehicle was having issues. They did not inform me nor give me the option to get the issues corrected at the time or be placed on a waiting list once the parts were available. I would have placed the vehicle on the waiting to have the recall repaired once parts were available and to avoid the current situation that we are experiencing. On the 30th of January 2026, the vehicle stopped on me after displaying low engine pressure despite having oil. There were no oil leaks detected, the oil cap was seated properly, and the oil stick had/has the adequate amount of oil. The vehicle will not start, make a funny noise, and the engine vibrates the entire cab of the vehicle. The video I attached displays the sound the vehicle makes now. The vehicle ran smoothly until the 30th of January 2026.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

I had brought my vehicle multiple times in 2024 to the Route 23 auto mall prior to me receiving a recall notice. The check engine light kept coming on and off and they told me that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle. I then received a recall notice in around the end of July 2024 and contacted them to complete the recall. I brought my vehicle in August 2024 and they told me that they would not be receiving the parts for the recall until March of 2025. I was told that I can still drive the car until then as it was not a safety hazard. That same day I went home and parked my car in front of my house. I was leaving to go to work and the car would not start. I had to call a tow truck to tow the car to the dealership. The manager told me that I would need to get a new motor and it would only take a few days. I asked for a rental car in the mean time. I then got my car back with the new motor almost 6 months later. I picked up my car from them and they gave me a certificate for the new motor. Fast forward to April of 2025 and my car again would not start. I had to have it towed to the dealership once again and this time it took 3 weeks to get it fixed. They said that the hose was ripped in half which causes anti-freeze to leek. They told me that it had nothing to do with the recall and that I had to pay $200.00 out of pocket. The car is still not fixed as per recall because the same parts were put on the car. I tried to get rid of the car and no dealership will by it. I looked online and noticed that there is a class action lawsuit against ford for the same exact issues. Ford itself will not buy the car back. What can I do now? I have attachments but its too large to fit on here. I can email it.

Filed Nov 4, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · TX

There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I found out about the recall when I was researching how to operate my vehicle. I made an appointment to have the recall repair made on April 5, 2024. On April 8. 2024, the dealer called back the Service Manager stated, "They aren't processing the recalls unless the vehicle is on the side of the road." I called several other dealers and they stated they also would not repair the vehicle. On [XXX], the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm fractured and separated from the tensioner backing plate. The oil pump drive belt lost teeth and the car lost engine oil pressure. There was a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump the vehicle lost all power and shut down. I was sitting at a light in the middle of the street at 11:30 PM. The vehicle could have shut down on the highway. I had just exited the highway, it was late at night and dark. Someone could have run into the back of my vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to Planet Ford in Spring, TX. After negotiating with them they worked on the engine but the car would not start. Then they said it needed a new battery and once installed the vehicle still did not run properly. They stated I needed to pay for a diagnostic because transmission lights are coming on. I refused because the damage was 100% caused by Ford's irresponsibility and neglect. The Recall stated repairs were supposed to be made at no charge. Planet Ford is now saying they have to put in a request to the Ford Corporation to ask if Ford will assist me with the cost of repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 4, 2024 · Engine · CA

As I was driving home 8/2/24 at approximately 12:00pm the engine died in my 2020 Ford EcoSport. The automobile will not start, resulting in my having to get it towed. Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power. P0012 A Camshaft position timing over - Retarded Bank 1 P0014 B Camshaft position Timing Over - Advanced or System Performance Bank 1 P0299Turbocharge/Supercharger Underboost P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

Almost 6 months ago, my car began to malfunction. It would not start at all. I paid $500 to have a mechanic diagnose the issue and replace the battery, but nothin worked. I had to have the car towed to the Ford dealership, and they advised me that my engine had failed due to a defect in the fuel pump tensioner, which was an issue that was under recall. They told that they could not do anything to repair the issue, however, because the recall had not been officially published. It has now been nearly six months with my vehicle sitting at the dealership, unusable, because Ford refuses to repair it until the recall comes out. They have also refused to provide a rental or loaner car so I have been out of a vehicle.

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 won't start

Which Ford Ecosport years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (16 complaints), 2020 (7 complaints) and 2021 (5 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Ford Ecosport?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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