9 Ford Ecosport Common Problems

1. Oil Pump Failure

Several reports of oil pump failures in the EcoSport’s turbocharged 1.0-litre engine resulted in total engine failure.

The oil pump in the EcoSport is belt-driven rather than gear-driven, allowing for more efficient oil circulation throughout the engine. Oil pressure drops when the belt gives out, and the engine’s moving parts don’t get oiled.

Belt failures in the oil pump have been reported more often in the 2019 and 2018 models, although they may happen in any year of the little three-cylinder engine.

Solution

Ford has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) warning consumers that the oil pump belt tensioner on EcoSports manufactured from 2018 to 2019 may fail, damaging the engine.

However, they offered no further suggestions for fixing the problem except for suggesting an engine replacement. They revised the belt tensioner so vehicles produced after April 2019 are immune to the problem.

If you’re concerned about a belt tensioner failing, you may have the dealer or your regular mechanic examine it for slack and indications of wear.

It’s not exactly a fast repair since you have to take apart a lot of extra stuff to get to the oil pump tensioner. The filter has a similar propensity to get clogged over time, so inspecting the oil pump is also a brilliant idea.

2. Gearbox Problem

3. ABS Error Message

Older second-generation EcoSports have a typical problem with the anti-lock brake system not working.

In most cases, the ‘ABS’ light on the instrument cluster will blink, and the car will begin beeping shortly after starting.

Due to the TCM’s dependence on the correct functioning of all associated systems, an error message reading “transmission malfunction” may also show on the central display.

A vehicle with the ABS warning light on may typically still be driven regularly, but safety should be considered if a defective brake component causes the issue.

Solution

A weak or dead 12-volt battery is a common source of ABS problems. Many EcoSport drivers have successfully turned off the ABS warning light by changing the battery and clearing the codes stored in the vehicle’s electronic control unit.

If the battery is still relatively fresh and has been tested to show that it can still retain a charge, the fault may lie with the ABS module, which is notorious for failing frequently.

The ABS malfunctions may also result from a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor or damaged wire connecting to the sensor.

Turning the key to “on” and then “off” allowed some users to do a “soft reset” of the codes. The ABS warning light and other malfunction indicators should fade off entirely if there are no catastrophic component failures.

However, if you want to know what’s going on, you’ll need to take the automobile to a technician who can read the error codes and figure out what’s wrong.

4. Exhaust Flex Pipe Failure

Some people who drive Ford EcoSports equipped with the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine have noticed that the vehicle’s engine has become much louder whenever they apply the throttle.

A detached flex pipe in the exhaust system is frequently to blame for this problem, as it may happen when the underbelly of the vehicle collides with anything solid or when it rusts out too quickly due to exposure to road salts.

To further understand the problem, consider how one owner put it:

I just bought a used EcoSport. My turn into the driveway was too sharp, so I ran over the curb. My automobile has always been noisy upon starting and during acceleration, but it has been much worse ever since that day. A slight trembling is present at the same time. When not gaining speed, it becomes somewhat less noisy.

Solution

Ford only offers the flex pipe as part of the catalytic converter, which considerably raises the price, even though replacing the flex pipe is a simple task.

If your automobile is no longer under warranty but wants to reduce its noise, having an exhaust shop weld in a new pipe should be considerably more cost-effective than purchasing a new catalytic converter.

Keep the undercarriage of your vehicle clean to keep the exhaust system from rusting out, and wash it every few weeks to remove any salt buildup.

5. Rear Liftgate/Tailgate Won’t Open

The rear tailgate of the second-generation Ford EcoSport has proven problematic for many drivers.

The EcoSport’s trunk is accessible by electronic button or remote. There is no conventional handle to release the latch and release the back door. Pushing the button triggers an actuator, which in turn pushes on the latch to secure the door in the closed position.

Unfortunately, after a few years of use, this actuator often fails, leaving EcoSport owners unable to open the trunk unless they remove a panel from the trunk’s interior and physically pull on the latch.

As reported by one EcoSport owner:

The issue is that the back door (which opens to the side) won’t open. The servo is making an effort, but it is unable to unlock the door.

Solution

If the EcoSport’s back gate won’t open properly, the actuator may need to be replaced.

It shouldn’t take more than an hour for any skilled technician to repair this item after ordering it online or from a Ford dealer.

Many owners have even replaced the actuator on their own with just a few simple tools and some mechanical know-how.

6. Problems with the Timing of the Belt

The EcoSport’s three-cylinder, the 1.0-litre engine has a timing belt rather than a chain, and the engine oil lubricates it.

All timing belts wear and weaken with age. Therefore they need to be changed every ten years or 150,000 km at the very least.

Since many internal engine parts are susceptible to interference if the timing belt fails in an EcoBoost engine.

The belt’s durability is directly related to the quality of the engine oil, therefore, neglecting the vehicle’s upkeep might significantly shorten the belt’s useful life.

Solution

Timing belt and engine longevity may be maximized by changing oil according to Ford’s suggested schedule and using 5W-20 synthetic oil.

The timing and oil pump belts wear out more quickly if you use low-quality oil or oil with different viscosity.

In addition, using the same brand that Ford employs, namely Motorcraft, will help guarantee that there are no additives in the belt that might compromise its efficiency.