EN ES

Ford EcoSport VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Ford EcoSport you are looking at. Then check its model year against 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixMAJ

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Ford EcoSport

About the Ford EcoSport

Ford sold the EcoSport in the US for model years 2018–2022. Across those years NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,855 owner complaints. The 2018 has the most complaints of any model year (726). EPA rates it at 25–28 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2018–2022
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns6
Owner complaints1,855 at NHTSA
Ford EcoSport photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Ford EcoSport at a glance

One generation in the data, 2018–2022: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,855 owner complaints.

1 / 1
EcoSport
2018–2022Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Ford EcoSport (2018–2022)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20182022
2018–2022

Ford EcoSport

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg25–28
NHTSA recalls6

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.0 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2018–2021
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl · 2018–2022

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • automatic (2018–2022)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (1,648)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (222)Fuel system (112)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 1,855 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · EcoSportMAJ3P1TE?JC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2018 Ford Ecosport, built in Chennai, India
Check an EcoSport VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which EcoSport model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 6 campaigns on file for EcoSport model years 2018–2022, and the 2020 and 2021 show up in the most (3 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2021
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Ford EcoSport owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2018 and 2019 hold 1,186 of the 1,855 complaints, or 64%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,855NHTSA complaints, 2018–2022
41mention a crash
13mention a fire
46injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearEcoSport: 1,855 complaints · most for the 2018 (726)

Top complaint areas · EcoSport

Mentions in 1,855 complaints, 2018–2022.

Engine and cooling1,648
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)222
Fuel system112
Electrical system89
Brakes69
Speed control / acceleration50
Crashes 41Fires 13Injuries 46

2018–2022

NHTSA data summary

Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 1,648 mentions are more than twice the next area, powertrain (222). Its first model year, the 2018, drew more complaints than any other (726 of 1,855).

What EcoSport owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2018–2022 (1st generation)

The 2018 draws by far the most complaints, and most NHTSA reports concern the engine, with owners describing an oil pressure warning followed by engine damage after the oil pump drive belt fails. CarComplaints lists the oil pressure warning lamp, oil pump belt failure and a corroded exhaust system for 2018. Ford ended the EcoSport after 2022. Recalls cover the oil pump drive belt or tensioner on 2018–2022 models, front seat frame welds on some 2019 models and driver air bags on some 2020 models. [1] [2]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the oil pump drive belt recall was completed, since a failed belt can destroy the engine.
  • Ask for oil change records.
  • On the drive, watch for an oil pressure warning, listen for engine noise and check under the car for exhaust corrosion.
Sources (2) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2018 Ford EcoSport
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2018 Ford EcoSport problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

EcoSport complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every EcoSport version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,855complaints, 2018–2022
41mention a crash
13mention a fire
46injuries reported
2complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2018 (726), 2019 (460), 2020 (399)
726’18460’19399’20

2018 · 726 complaints

Crashes 18 · fires 2 · injuries 10

Engine355
Engine and engine cooling311
Power train67
Unknown or other61
Fuel/propulsion system40

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

EcoSport CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 9 EcoSport versions for model years 2018–2022. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 314 g/mi (2018). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

EcoSport2018–2022

25–28 mpg · CO₂ 314–355 g/mi

2021
28combined MPG
318CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,400EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2021: FWD · Auto (S6), 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo — 28 MPG · 318 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
25030035040045020202018 · Gas: 3142019 · Gas: 3162020 · Gas: 3182021 · Gas: 3182022 · Gas: 351
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

EcoSport vs Honda HR-V vs Chevrolet Trax

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2018–2022. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the EcoSport, against 8 for the Honda HR-V and 3 for the Chevrolet Trax. Pick a range to compare.

Ford EcoSport

Model years 2018–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns
6
NHTSA owner complaints
1,855
EPA combined mpg
25–28
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.0 L · 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 1,648
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 222
  3. Fuel system 112

Honda HR-V

Model years 2018–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns
8
NHTSA owner complaints
627
EPA combined mpg
28–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 176
  2. Fuel system 136
  3. Forward collision avoidance 90

Chevrolet Trax

Model years 2018–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns
3
NHTSA owner complaints
364
EPA combined mpg
26–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 102
  2. Electrical system 82
  3. Suspension 63

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Ford EcoSport VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an EcoSport

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Ford EcoSport (2018-2022 generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The EcoSport carries its VIN on a plate visible at the lower driver's side windshield corner. Door jamb sticker and B-pillar label between the front and rear passenger doors are the two secondary locations. Produced in India for the US market, EcoSport VIN numbers carry different plant codes than domestically assembled Fords, the VIN itself will confirm assembly origin.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Ford EcoSport VIN questions

Which Ford EcoSport model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2018 leads with 726, ahead of the 2019 (460) and 2020 (399). Those first two alone make up 64% of the 1,855 EcoSport complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Ford EcoSport had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 6 vehicle campaigns for model years 2018–2022, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Ford EcoSport recalls are high risk?

20V-791 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Ford EcoSport get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2018–2022 EcoSport at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Ford EcoSport compare with the Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax on recalls?

For 2018–2022 models the EcoSport has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 8, the Chevrolet Trax 3. Complaints run 1,855, 627 and 364 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Ford EcoSport have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2022 EcoSport 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

Other Ford models

Check another Ford model

F-150F-250F-350MustangExplorerEscape
Related reading

Guides & alerts for used car buyers