D P Stevens-King

Ford EcoSport EcoBoost Wet Belt Failure at 115,000 km – No Assistance from Ford I am extremely disappointed with my experience regarding my Ford EcoSport Titanium. On 26 March 2026, while driving, my vehicle displayed a warning message stating "Low Engine Oil Pressure." I immediately pulled over and had the vehicle towed to Ford Fourways to prevent further damage. After approximately one month of investigation, including consultation with a specialist, I was informed that the cause of the failure was the wet belt system in the sump which circulates the oil through the engine, on braking fragments of this belt seriously damaged the engine. I subsequently received a repair quotation of approximately R52,000. My vehicle has only travelled 115,000 km. While it is outside the four-year warranty period, it remains below the 120,000 km mileage threshold. Based on extensive research and discussions with various Ford dealerships, I have learned that wet belt failures in EcoBoost engines are a widely documented issue both internationally and in South Africa. This appears to be a known design weakness rather than normal wear and tear or owner neglect. I contacted Ford South Africa to request goodwill assistance due to the nature of the failure and the relatively low mileage of the vehicle. Unfortunately, my request was declined. I also requested escalation to senior management and have left messages and sent several emails and also tried phoning but could never get further than the call centre even though I asked to speak to someone senior including correspondence to the CEO's office. To date, I have received no response. The matter has now been ongoing since 26 March 2026, leaving me without a vehicle and facing a repair bill of R52,000 for what appears to be a known issue affecting EcoBoost engines. As a loyal customer who purchased a vehicle from a reputable manufacturer and because of an engineering defect I as the customer is now facing the responsibility of fixing this problem which is due to their manufacturing fault. It is a known fact that these wet belts break between 100 000 – 150 000 kms just after warrantee expires. Internationally a word has been coined for this problem as ‘Eco-Boom’. I am not sure why this responsibility falls onto the customer if it is clearly a manufacturing defect. Under normal circumstances a vehicle manufacturer would recall these vehicles and correct this problem. Vehicle: Ford EcoSport Titanium Mileage at failure: 115,000 km Date of breakdown: 26 March 2026 Repair quote: Approximately R52,000 Dealer: Ford Fourways