6 Best & Worst Ford EcoSport Years (Stats & Examples)

The Ford EcoSport is a subcompact SUV produced in 2003. However, the vehicle was not in North America until the year 2018.

So, it is possible that only the second-generation Ford EcoSport models will be popular in the United States.

That aside, this small SUV is known for a few issues, which are very prominent in just a few of its models. In this article, we have researched deeply into the world of the Ford EcoSport to introduce you to its best and worst models.

Find them below!

The Best and Worst Years for Ford EcoSport Are:

The 2017, 2012, 2020 and 2013 Ford EcoSport models have remained the best. For the worst models, you’d love to avoid the 2018, 2019, 2014, 2021 and the 2015 models for the incessant issues with some of their critical components.

It is important to note this when shopping for your next Ford EcoSport.

What Ford EcoSport Years Are the Most Reliable?

Here are the Ford EcoSport models that are most reliable:

1. 2017 Ford EcoSport

The 2017 Ford EcoSport may not be very popular in the US, but it remains the best EcoSport model so far in terms of user satisfaction.

This model comes with a more appealing look and a somewhat better gearbox that delights many owners.

EcoSport may still have a long way to go in catching up with its rivals on engine performance, especially on the swiftness of its acceleration. However, the 2017 edition offers an impressive upgrade.

Don’t forget that this car was introduced as a cheap subcompact SUV. So, many other rivals that belong to the same category with it offer as much as its feature and even more.

To offer a better competition, Ford had decided to upgrade the 2017 EcoSport model, giving it an improved facelift and a better gearbox.

So, this model comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that replaces its usual six-speed manual gearbox.

The 2017 Ford EcoSport also comes with an improved infotainment system. It offers either a 6.5-inch touchscreen with digital radio or 8.0-inch touchscreen in the Trend and Titanium trims.

This helps to elevate the interior of the ride.

2. 2016 Ford EcoSport

The 2016 Ford EcoSport was built in Brazil and shipped to Australia, making it available in some European countries. Although it is also unpopular in the US, but it is another reliable EcoSport model.

Unlike the 2017 model, the 2016 EcoSport still maintains most of the basic features of older EcoSports.

However, it is a more popular model with little to no consumer complaints.

This model offers a front wheel drive, and it runs on a 1.5 L four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Moreover, it also has an excellent rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). ANCAP has rated the 2016 Ford EcoSport 5 star on safety and overall performance.

3. 2020 Ford EcoSport

The 2020 Ford EcoSport is one of the five EcoSport models available in the US. While the other models have met with a series of complaints by users, the 2020 model performs somewhat better.

Notwithstanding, the low engine oil sensor which has remained the major issue with the EcoSport has been complained about by a few users in the 2020 model as well.

This model is not very different from other EcoSport rides aside from the inclusion of the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot as a standard feature.

Mind you, the 2020 Ford EcoSport is just a little more reliable than many other EcoSport models; it’s still considered an average ride by critics.

Aside from Cars.com that rates it 4.7/5, other critics have only scored it a little above average, which is typical of many EcoSport models. Whereas Edmunds scores it 6.8/10, US News rates it 6.4/10.

Besides, US News also ranks the 2020 Ford EcoSport #18 out of 18 2020 affordable subcompact SUVs. That expresses how unimpressive the SUV is when compared with other rivals.

Make sure to also check out how long the Ford EcoSport last here.

What Ford EcoSport Years Should You Avoid?

Here are the Ford EcoSport years you should avoid:

1. 2018 Ford EcoSport

The 2018 Ford EcoSport is the first EcoSport model that Ford introduced to the US market. It is quite unfortunate that this model has remained the most faulted EcoSport so far.

As of the time of writing this review, the 2018 Ford EcoSport has a total of 132 complaints on Car Complaints. That’s more than the brand has recorded for any Ford EcoSport model.

The major issue with this ride is its engine failure. Several owners have complained about the vehicle stalling and making an abnormal noise.

Quite a few owners who have experienced the issue claimed that they required a change of engine before their vehicle could work again. And, the average mileage for the engine failure is just around 22,049 miles.

Usually, a low oil warning light comes up whenever the engine fails. This means that the engine of the vehicle has issues with the oil pressure sensor or that it is completely weak.

Aside from the engine, another point of concern about this EcoSport model is its brake. A number of owners have also complained about the brake having a mushy feel when they attempt to depress it.

When the brake of a vehicle becomes soft, it could be caused by a damaged to the brake lines or a leak in the wheel cylinder or disc brake calipers. In other instances, adjusting the brake shoe could help restore its normal physical feel.

2. 2019 Ford EcoSport

The 2019 Ford EcoSport is the immediate successor to the 2018 edition. Unfortunately, this newer model has taken over the issues with its predecessor.

While this model only has 43 complaints on Car Complaints, the engine has also remained the major area of concern to users.

That is, the most prominent issue with the 2019 model has remained the low oil pressure, which makes the car to stall unexpectedly.

Out of 16 customer complaints on this issue, the average mileage is just 29,146. This is quite unfortunate for a vehicle that is supposed to be gaining its hold in the US.

Don’t forget that Ford has decided to stop the production of the EcoSport after the 2022 edition due to an unimpressive sales record. It is quite unfortunate to note that even the 2020 EcoSport model has received a few complaints on the engine failure.

3. 2021 Ford EcoSport

The 2021 Ford EcoSport is supposed to come with much improvement to all the weaknesses of the EcoSport.

Aside from the engine failure, other notable aspects of this vehicle that many critics despise are the subpar fuel economy and the cramped rear seat.

The 2021 model didn’t offer any improvement to the two aspects. To further downgrade the SUV, this model didn’t even come with many standard or available safety features.

The 2021 EcoSport is not a good subcompact SUV. Though this Ford has easy maneuverability in tight spaces and abundant cargo room, its negative far outweighs its positives….

Taller folks will find the rear seats very tight, and there aren’t many standard or available active safety features.

Source: US News

This is why US News only rates the vehicle 5.5/10, which is lower than many other EcoSport models. Edmunds doesn’t rate it better either, just 3.4/5.

That said, make sure to also check out our post on 11 important facts about Ford EcoSport.

What Are Some Typical Problems With the Ford EcoSport Models?

Aside from the problems with the engine, the Ford EcoSport is known for other mild issues. Below are some of its typical problems.

• Problem with the engine oil pressure
• The brake pedal could be mushy
• Cramped rear space
• Subpar fuel economy

Learn more about the problems of the Ford EcoSport model years here.

Final Thoughts

The Ford EcoSport is an affordable and easy-to-use small SUV. While it has been around since 2013, only the 2018 to the 2022 models are popularly available in the United States.

Mind you, in spite of its user-friendly infotainment system, this SUV is less fancied by critics due to its below average engine performance and cramped seats.

Besides, other competitors like the Buick Encore and Mazda CX-3 offer better options to the Ford EcoSport.

Go Back: See best and worst years for all ford models.

ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.

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