For years, owners of Ford EcoSports and Focus equipped with the 1. 0-liter EcoBoost engine have complained that the engine only gets dirty due to the oil systems getting dirty. After an investigation, Ford and NHTSA discovered the cause, prompting Ford to recall more than 100,000 vehicles for a second time as early as 2024.
The problem is found in the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine used in model year 2016-2018 Focus hatchbacks and 2017-2022 EcoSport SUVs. These engines have developed a reputation for losing oil pressure as early as 50,000 miles, with mechanics disassembling them to find oil pickups clogged by crumbled oil pump drive belts. The problem was speculated to stem from issues with the belt tensioner, and its exact origin was finally confirmed in the NHTSA’s recall document.
The investigation revealed that the “caulking” (or RTV type) gasket on the tensioner was breaking due to vibration over the life of the vehicle, allowing the tensioner arm to move. This can have an effect on the balance shaft, damaging the tensioner and tightening the belt. Ford technicians also speculated that this could cause loose belt teeth to jump onto the oil pump sprocket, tearing them off and collecting in the oil pan. Either can cause a drop or overall loss of oil pressure, which can damage an engine.
This failure can lead not only to a loss of power while driving, but also to a deactivation of the vacuum pump that helps with braking, posing the risk of cornering behind some other vehicle. Ford recognizes a twist of fate resulting from an oil pump failure. resulting in two injuries but no deaths.
Since the belt gasket is rarely meant to be repaired for 150,000 miles, but fails just outside of Ford’s 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, owners have sought recourse through means as an action of elegance. Now, they’ll have direct help from Ford, which says repairing the recall will involve upgrading the tensioner to one with a shorter arm and a bolted gasket. The service will also upgrade the strap to a strap with new material.
Owners are already being mailed recall notifications, and will be invited in for service at no charge as parts become available.
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