Built for developing markets and quickly becoming a favorite in the developed markets, the Ford EcoSport has stunned users with its practicality and low price. However, having not much to boast about has significantly affected the car’s sales on the other hand. That said, the car has proven to be trustworthy in terms of maintenance with just 14 complaints and a single recall in this year. Starting at an MSRP of $21,095, it can be described as value for money and is one of the cheapest cars on sale right now. Competing against the Mazda CX-30, the Kia Soul, and the Volkswagen Taos, it leaves a lot to be desired and is not much cheaper either. Through this article, we explore Ford EcoSport issues in greater detail.
2019 Ford Ecosport User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical problems:
- There have been oil pump issues with the car. Some users have had lubrication system failures, although most of them happened to high mileage cars.
- Although it seems to be an uncommon one in the list of Ford EcoSport engine problems, one user noticed a strong heat smell. When the hood was opened, the turbo was red-hot, and was in fact glowing. Another user has had the issue of burn marks appearing on the muffler in a way that is not normal.
- Many users have complained about the tires that come in the car from the factory. They suffer blowouts and such on a regular basis, while the manufacturer refuses to acknowledge the situation.
- Few owners have complained about the car having delayed acceleration or being jerky while shifting gears. Previous model years have included Ford EcoSport transmission problems but it is not common these days. The steering gear is also alleged to have a shaking issue.
- According to one owner, the vehicle suddenly shut off during a stoplight and the user had the problem of the Ford EcoSport not starting for a while. Later on, the vehicle started to run diagnostics but the stability control was cut off.
Electrical system problems:
- One user has experienced several malfunctions including the car turning without any driver input, the brakes failing or sometimes being applied on their own, the digital displays and radio settings being changed without any input, the car reducing in speed and accelerating on its own, to name a few. The vehicle was given for inspection and a complaint was also sent to the FBI internet crime complaint center, suspecting a possible vehicle hacking. Although there have been Ford EcoSport acceleration problems, this one feels a lot different.
Interior problems:
- One user states that the front seat frames have been improperly welded and can cause casualty in the event of an accident. The recall was issued regarding the same but it has not reached many owners.
Safety problems:
- One unfortunate incident happened when a car struck a pole and went over several rocks that bent the suspension components as well as the vehicle frame. It then went over 18-inch high paver stones and the undercarriage was destroyed, and the drivetrain was pushed backward. The airbags failed to deploy in this situation, the driver’s spine was severed, and was later pronounced dead.
- There have been more complaints about the airbags not deploying even in situations the car was declared totaled. Airbag issues seem to be one of the major ones on the list of Ford EcoSport common problems.
- The cruise control of the vehicle suddenly dropped the speed and the vehicle was intermittently reducing the speed at times according to one user.
2019 Ford Ecosport Recalls
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA Campaign Number |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
January 2, 2019 |
19V023000 |
Insufficient seat frame weld |
Ford has identified that some cars may have seat frames that are improperly welded, which results in this seatback being not secured in the event of a crash. |
Should you buy the 2019 Ford Ecosport?
The Ford EcoSport has captured the minds of the American population with its low running costs as well as SUV-like capabilities. In terms of reliability, its reputation has been decent with no particular year being extremely problematic. But problems like low fuel efficiency, low quality interiors and a lack of space make it a bit less attractive. It is one you could trust enough to make a buying decision but nearly all of its rivals are better value for money.