The invention relates to an engine cover locking mechanism for a vehicle. The engine cover locking mechanism comprises a lock body support, a lock catch, a shell and a soft shaft, wherein the soft shaft is connected with a clamping cutter and the shell, the lock body support is provided with a vertical plate which is provided with a clamping cutter guide groove, the vertical plate is provided with a pawl and the clamping cutter penetrating through the clamping cutter guide groove, the clamping cutter is connected with one end of a tension spring, the other end of the tension spring is connected with the pawl, the clamping cutter is hinged to the lock body support through a riveting shaft, and the pawl is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate; the lock catch is provided with a top cover and a locating plate, the top cover is pressed on one end of a lock catch compression spring, the other end of the lock catch compression spring is pressed on the surface of the locating plate, and the locating plate is provided with a first assembling hole and a second assembling hole which are matched with an engine cover; the shell is provided with a wire bracing handle and a second sleeve joint, the clamping cutter is connected with one end of the soft shaft, and the other end of the soft shaft is connected with the wire bracing handle. According to the engine cover locking mechanism disclosed by the invention, due to the adoption of a purely-mechanical structure, the fault rate is small; unlocking is realized by adopting a soft shaft leading wire, thus the engine cover is convenient to open, and convenience in operation and maintenance is increased for an operator.