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Before you buy a used Ford EcoSport.

2014–2022 · Petrol / Diesel · 3 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Ford EcoSport, real photo of this generation
Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.

  • Brakes, headlamps, oil leaks and campaigns on the EcoSportKnown weak points
    Period mentioned
    2014–2022
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

1.0 EcoBoost

Petrol

1.5 Ti-VCT

Petrol

These also apply, described above: Judder on the PowerShift dry dual-clutch gearbox (DPS6)

1.5 TDCi

Diesel

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford EcoSport
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.0 EcoBoostPetrol32 with conditions4
1.5 Ti-VCTPetrol22 with conditions4
1.5 TDCiDieselFewest documented11 with conditions4

According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.5 TDCi (Diesel).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Ford dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Ford airbag and seat-belt recalls (2001–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)Fuel system

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2001–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford engine, transmission and software recalls (2000–2026)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 3 checked

Engine

  • Look out for: Low oil-pressure warning just before a loss of power; sometimes the engine seizes without warning. With no oil pressure the vacuum pump that assists braking can also stop working.

    Ask them to check: With the oil-pressure warning, stop and do not restart. At the garage, check the belt and tensioner and look for debris in the sump and pump screen; use the exact oil Ford specifies and do not stretch the change intervals.

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Blown or misaligned headlamps, steering, uneven braking and handbrake, porous brake hoses, heavy oil leaks and exhaust from the fifth year; stop-start that does not always work, immobiliser and a weak battery with short trips.

    Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN; use the oil Ford specifies; check lights, brakes and leaks before the roadworthiness test.

Automatic gearbox

  • Look out for: Shudder or judder when pulling away, especially in traffic; gearbox-module faults that can stop the car starting.

    Ask them to check: Read codes (e.g. P0900, clutch actuator), update the gearbox software and run the relearn drive cycle; if the shudder remains, replace the clutch. Ask Ford about campaigns or warranty extensions for the VIN.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P0900

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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