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Ford · Compact SUV · 2013–2022

Ford EcoSport 1

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

2.7 / 5.0 · Based on 7 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

166 PS

2.0L Ti-VCT GDi Benzin

Punchy EcoSport

Decent
Most Reliable Engine

111 PS

1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT Benzin

6 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

101–140 PS

1.0L EcoBoost Benzin

6 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Engine Overview

The Ford EcoSport 1 is available with 6 engine variants — from 75 to 166 hp. 2 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.5L EcoBlue · Diesel· 100 PS
2017 2020
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
1.5L EcoBlue TDCi · Diesel· 120 PS
2017 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
1.5L TDCi · Diesel· 90–95 PS Engine Change
2013 2015
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2015 2017
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
1.0L EcoBoost · Benziner· 100–140 PS Engine Change
2013 2017
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
2016 2017
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
2017 2022
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
2017 2022
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
2018 2022
Stay Away! 6 weaknesses
1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT · Benziner· 112 PS
2013 2017
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
2.0L Ti-VCT GDi · Benziner· 166 PS
2017 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses

The Ford 1.5L EcoBlue (Diesel, 100 PS) has the XWDA (1.5L EcoBlue) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Ford 1.5L EcoBlue TDCi (Diesel, 120 PS) has the EcoBlue-1.5-EcoSport (1.5L EcoBlue TDCi) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Ford 1.5L TDCi (Diesel, 90–95 PS) comes with 2 different engines: SFJA-ECOSPORT (2013–2015, Be Careful) und SFJA-ECOSPORT (2015–2017, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L TDCi!

The Ford 1.0L EcoBoost (Benziner, 100–140 PS) comes with 5 different engines: M1DA (2013–2017, Stay Away!) und M1DA (2016–2017, Stay Away!) und M2NA (2017–2022, Stay Away!) und M2NA (2017–2022, Stay Away!) und M2NA (2018–2022, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L EcoBoost!

The Ford 1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT (Benziner, 112 PS) has the YFDA (1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Ford 2.0L Ti-VCT GDi (Benziner, 166 PS) has the R9DC-ECOSPORT (2.0L Ti-VCT GDi) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
Brake hoses: becoming porous and cracking

All EcoSport brake hoses become porous and crack with age, which can lead to brake pressure loss and in extreme cases complete brake failure. Regular visual inspection and preventive replacement no later than 10 years is strongly recommended.

Symptoms: Spongy brake pedal; brake pedal sinking; brake fluid loss; ABS/ESP warning light.
from 100,000 km
Low
!Rear brake callipers seizing and corroding

In urban use the EcoSport's rear brakes are barely used, so the callipers and discs corrode and seize. Premature brake pad and disc wear is typical from 80,000 km.

Symptoms: Scraping noises from the rear, vehicle pulls to one side under braking, rear wheels heat up unevenly while driving.
from 80,000 km
Medium
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
1,761 complaints · 2013–2022
Engine & Cooling
825 ⚠ 4
Engine
749 ⚠ 10
Powertrain
196 ⚠ 4
Other
136 ⚠ 3
Fuel System
91 ⚠ 2

Top Reported Issues

Engine & Cooling (825 complaints)
Engine (749 complaints)
Powertrain (196 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 49 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford EcoSport 1 (2013–2022) — 42 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: M1DA (1.0L EcoBoost), M2NA (1.0L EcoBoost). Typical issues affect Brakes, Other, Electronics. Considered reliable: YFDA (1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT).

EcoSport (SFJA-ECOSPORT, 2013–2015) — Be Careful: Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion, DPF Issues from Short-Trip Driving. Power: 90–95 PS.

EcoSport (SFJA-ECOSPORT, 2015–2017) — Be Careful: Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion, DPF Issues from Short-Trip Driving. Power: 90–101 PS.

EcoSport (XWDA, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Injector Problems: Juddering and Knocking, Timing Chain Premature Wear, Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42). Power: 95–101 PS.

EcoSport (EcoBlue-1.5-EcoSport, 2017–2026) — Be Careful: Injector Problems: Juddering and Knocking, Turbocharger fails prematurely, Recall: Camshaft sprocket material fatigue (16B42). Power: 120 PS.

EcoSport (M1DA, 2013–2017) — Stay Away!: Wet Timing Belt Dissolves in Wrong or Old Oil, Degas Hose at Coolant Expansion Tank Fractures, Head Gasket Failure from Thermal Stress. Power: 125 PS.

EcoSport (M1DA, 2016–2017) — Stay Away!: Wet Timing Belt Dissolves in Wrong or Old Oil, Degas Hose at Coolant Expansion Tank Fractures, Head Gasket Failure from Thermal Stress. Power: 140 PS.

EcoSport (M2NA, 2017–2022) — Stay Away!: Oil-Bath Timing Belt Degenerates, Head Gasket Leaking, Wet Belt Degraded Prematurely. Power: 125 PS.

EcoSport (M2NA, 2017–2022) — Stay Away!: Oil-Bath Timing Belt Degenerates, Head Gasket Leaking, Wet Belt Degraded Prematurely. Power: 140 PS.

EcoSport (R9DC-ECOSPORT, 2017–2022) — Be Careful: Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Entering Combustion Chamber, Intake Valve Carbon Buildup (Direct Injection), Timing Chain Tensioner Wear. Power: 166 PS.

EcoSport (M2NA, 2018–2022) — Stay Away!: Oil-Bath Timing Belt Degenerates, Head Gasket Leaking, Wet Belt Degraded Prematurely. Power: 101 PS.

What to watch out for with the Ford EcoSport? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Ford EcoSport 1 have? +
The Ford EcoSport 1 has 42 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Ford EcoSport 1? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: YFDA (1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT). The most reliable engine is the YFDA (1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the R9DC-ECOSPORT (2.0L Ti-VCT GDi). Problem engine: M2NA (1.0L EcoBoost) — stay away!
Which Ford EcoSport 1 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Ford EcoSport 1. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 6 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Ford EcoSport 1 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Ford EcoSport 1 — rated: "Decent". {description} 166 hp EcoBoost in the EcoSport: brisk for a subcompact SUV, but the weight limits the fun.
Is the Ford EcoSport 1 worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the Ford EcoSport 1 — 2 of 7 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Ford EcoSport 1? +
The Ford EcoSport 1 is available with engine variants from 75 to 166 hp. Petrol: M1DA (1.0L EcoBoost), YFDA (1.5L Duratec Ti-VCT), M2NA (1.0L EcoBoost), R9DC-ECOSPORT (2.0L Ti-VCT GDi). Diesel: SFJA-ECOSPORT (1.5L TDCi), XWDA (1.5L EcoBlue), EcoBlue-1.5-EcoSport (1.5L EcoBlue TDCi).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee