Ford EcoSport transmission and drivetrain problems, 2018–2022
221 of the 1,854 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford EcoSport 2018–2022 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (68), 2020 (53), 2021 (50). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford EcoSport transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 50 | 19% | 55k | 6 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 53 | 13% | — | 6 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 50 | 11% | — | 8 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 68 | 9% | — | 10 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 65 · 2024: 55 · 2025: 55 · 2026: 33
Across the model years, half of the 35 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 34,000 and 83,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Vehicle began making strange noise and losing power while driving, thankfully a few feet from daughter’s home. Made it to driveway, made loud noise and lost all power and control of vehicle. My vehicle had recently been serviced and there were no warnings that this would happen.
Failed oil pump. Driving on highway when engine oil pressure light comes on and car starts misfiring and no acceleration. Car drives completely 5 minutes after
Powertrain failure, low oil pressure light came on, occurred while driving 70 mph on freeway with moderate traffic my car suddenly decelerated to 35-40 mph with a semi truck behind me almost slamming into me and I couldn’t get the car to accelerate to get the the side of road to safety.
I haven't had any problems yet. Ford has known about this for awhile. If and when we have problems my wife and I don't have the funds to thousands to fix it plus still paying a payment on it. We are and . I want it fixed or they can buy it back. There is no sense in this
The contact owns a 2021 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the gear shifter engaged independently. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V126000 HighFeb 28, 2025 · 18,648 vehicles
- 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.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Mar 1, 2024
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manua
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford EcoSport
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford EcoSport problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford EcoSport years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 68; 2020, 53; 2021, 50. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (19%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford EcoSport?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 25V126000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford EcoSport?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 62,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 34,000 and 83,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.