Ford has already issued 56 recalls in 2026, and it looks like that number could be bumped to 57 very soon, depending on the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the automaker’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines.
The long and short of it is that the 1.0-liter powerplants in 135,551 Fiesta, Focus, and EcoSport models may be prone to catastrophic engine seizure at as little as 70,000 miles, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently conducting an Engineering Analysis to determine exactly what’s going on. Here’s what you need to know.
The Problem Stems From The Timing Belt
2015 Ford Focus finished in whiteFord
The part in question is the wet timing belt in this engine. The component is submerged in engine oil to tame the noisy turbocharged three-cylinder and keep sound levels down. NHTSA has determined that the wet timing belt can degrade over time and shed debris into the oil system. The debris collects in the mesh screen feeding the oil pump. However, when the screen becomes clogged, oil pressure drops, and you’re running an under-lubricated engine and cruising toward catastrophic failure.
To go over the key data points of this investigation:
- There are 355 incidents of power loss/oil starvation on record.
- 135,551 Fords are included in the NHTSA investigation.
- 98% of failures occur before 150,000 miles.
- The average failure mileage is 70,000.
- Affected models include Fiestas, Focuses, and EcoSports across the 2014-2021 model years.
The failure mileage is important because Ford specifies a 150,000-mile maintenance interval to replace the timing belt, but the belt is failing at around half that mileage. The investigation has determined that the failure can occur even with routine oil changes and fastidious, documented maintenance.
NHTSA Just Escalated The Investigation
Red 2018 Ford EcoSport rear endFord
The NHTSA ran a preliminary investigation into a series of complaints, finding enough evidence to escalate to an engineering analysis, filed under EA26004, which you can read for yourself right here if you want to check out the raw data.
At the moment, there are no reports of injuries, fatalities, or crashes. It’s a potential safety issue because an engine failure in heavy traffic could lead to an accident. But there’s no associated fire hazard, and owners should be able to avoid serious danger if they can get the car off the road when it starts losing power.
Ultimately, the Office of Defects Investigation has determined that there is an “unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety,” which makes this a NHTSA problem, not just a Ford warranty issue.
How Reliable Were These Cars To Begin With?
2018 Ford Focus interior steering wheelFord
Here is each affected model by year:
- 2014-2017 Ford Fiesta
- 2015-2018 Ford Focus
- 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport
The 2014 Fiesta holds a meager 64/100 Quality & Reliability rating with JD Power. The 2016 Focus has a 71/100 rating, and the EcoSport was never even rated by JD Power.
All three of these cars are budget models, so maintenance costs are relatively low. The Focus should cost you only around $569 per year, according to RepairPal. Still, the frequency of repairs and the fact that all of these cars are out of warranty mean that owning one might not be worth the hassle, even if maintenance costs are manageable.
A year ago, low used pricing and modest ownership costs might have earned these cars a lukewarm recommendation here at CarBuzz. In 2026, with a worrying investigation underway and a history of mediocre reliability to begin with, we can give an enthusiastic do-not-buy warning on all affected Fiestas, Focuses, and EcoSports.
When Will A Remedy Be Available?
Front shot of a 2017 Ford FiestaFord
Generally speaking, the NHTSA process involves complaints that can escalate to an investigation. From there, an automaker might need to recall affected products to fix them. We’re only halfway there at the moment. A recall seems inevitable at this point, but when it will be issued is anyone’s guess, and the remedy likely won’t be available right away.
In the meantime, Ford has opted not to issue a formal safety recall, instead offering a customer satisfaction program that shortens the belt replacement interval to 100,000 miles, which is 30,000 miles too late for a typical driver.
Affected Drivers Have Few Options
2015 Ford Fiesta Sedan Gray SideFord
If you drive one of the affected models, you can preemptively replace the belt, but that typically takes 11.1 hours of labor in the Fiesta, making it an expensive fix to cover out of pocket, with no guarantee that Ford would make it up to you.
Your other options are to keep putting miles on your engine and risk catastrophic failure, or leave your car in the garage until a remedy is issued, in which case we hope you have a second car you can lean on for the time being.
We don’t like any of these options. The truth is, Focus, EcoSport, and Fiesta owners are stuck between a rock, a hard place, and a second rock. You could try selling your car off, but if you’re shady enough to do that without disclosing the reason why you’re trying to get rid of it, chances are buyers have done their research, and you’re not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes in the first place.
If Possible, Our Advice Is To Drive Something Else
2019 Honda CR-V front 3/4 angle in black while parkedHonda
The situation is awful for affected drivers. Those of you who are still in the market for a budget-friendly used car, on the other hand, are in luck, because there are a lot of great, affordable used cars to pick from that don’t have timing belts being torn to shreds and clogging essential oil pathways. Let’s go over some of our favorites.
- 11th-Gen Toyota Corolla. Our price-tracking tool shows a 2017 Toyota Corolla Sedan L CVT trending at $13,148, down from an MSRP of $18,500. The 11th-gen Corolla packs a 132-hp 1.8-liter straight-four engine and holds an 87/100 Q&R rating with JD Power.
- Late 10th-Gen Honda Civic. A 2018 Civic EX CVT is currently trending at $14,500 from an MSRP of $18,940. This car runs a 158-hp 2.0-liter straight-four. There are manual trims available, and it has a 76/100 Q&R rating.
- 2021 Kia Soul. The recently discontinued Kia Soul has five-year-old EX IVT models trending at $17,965 from an MSRP of $23,350. The car has an 88/100 Q&R rating and a 147-hp 2.0-liter straight-four under the hood.
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. Not the most exciting car in the world, but the 153-hp 1.4-liter turbo-four-powered compact is trending at a meager $8,967 from a $16,975 MSRP, with an 87/100 Q&R rating.
- 2019 Honda CR-V. An entry-level 2019 CR-V is currently trending at $19,944 from a $24,450 MSRP. The CR-V packs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 184 hp, and it holds a Q&R rating of 77/100.
All of these models offer an affordable, reliable alternative to the affected Ford models.
It’s rare for a car to go its whole life without ever being affected by recalls. It’s just part of the deal. There are only so many defects that an automaker can detect in the lab or on the track before the car goes out onto public highways. That said, this Ford investigation is worrying for a few reasons.
First, Ford’s not really doing much to make life easier for affected drivers at the moment. Advising us to change our belts a little earlier is simply hardly even a band-aid on this bullet wound. Second, we’re still in the early stages of initiating a recall, and there’s no telling when a remedy will be available.
If you’re still shopping around, the silver lining is that this investigation lets you cross a few options off your list. If you already own an affected model, maybe this is the sign to buy that new Toyota Camry you’ve had your eye on.
Sources: Ford, NHTSA, JD Power, RepairPal.
