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2018 Ford Ecosport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Ecosport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 395.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

267 reports with mileage · 459 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 355 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 311 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

355 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2024
Engine

My engine went out. Two of the cylinders stopped working while I was driving to the dealership

NHTSA ODI #11575597

57,819 miles · Mar 1, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil pump drive belt had fractured into pieces and the engine needed to be replaced. …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil pump drive belt had fractured into pieces and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,819.

NHTSA ODI #11574951

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2024
Engine

I was driving my 2018 Ford Ecosport to the grocery store when the warning light came on with "Low Oil Pressure Warning". My vehicle lost power in the middle of a very busy road, causing me to have to pull over immediately. I had it towed to a garage that happened to be a few blocks from this incident. After assessing the vehi…

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I was driving my 2018 Ford Ecosport to the grocery store when the warning light came on with "Low Oil Pressure Warning". My vehicle lost power in the middle of a very busy road, causing me to have to pull over immediately. I had it towed to a garage that happened to be a few blocks from this incident. After assessing the vehicle, I was told that no oil was going through the engine and that the tensioner belt along with other parts from the engine, were in the oil pan causing the engine to lock up. After being "scoped" by Hagerstown Ford dealership on 2/29/24, I was told that it would cost $5,700.00 for a new engine but there was no guarantee that this could not happen again. This is the 2nd incident on this vehicle that has caused issues that were extremely pricy and dangerous. This vehicle is close to being a lemon and should not even be on the road. Ford needs to recall the entire vehicle, not just the oil pump drive belt or tensioner. There are too many problems with this make and model!

NHTSA ODI #11574851

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
EnginePower Train

Known Ford recall for 2nd quarter fix planned. My vehicle is broken down now due to issue and Ford not willing to assist with fix due to no plan yet? Engine oil pump and drive belt faulty causing oil pressure to drop and undriveable vehicle due to this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11574469

57,000 miles · Feb 28, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had become persistent. The contact stated that during the failure, all electrical functions were turned off and the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the vehicl…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had become persistent. The contact stated that during the failure, all electrical functions were turned off and the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer three times however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11574466

60,000 miles · Feb 28, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated along with the message "Oil Pressure Low", and the vehicle started to hesitate while pulling into a fuel station to stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the brake pedal was difficult to depress while …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated along with the message "Oil Pressure Low", and the vehicle started to hesitate while pulling into a fuel station to stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the brake pedal was difficult to depress while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a faulty engine that needed a replacement with the turbo. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer stated no timeline for the recall remedy was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was unable to relate the failure to the recall since the remedy was not available. A case was not opened with the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.

NHTSA ODI #11574450

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2024
Engine

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER GOING INTO SORT OF A LIMP MODE / LOW POWER MODE, INDICATED LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ON THE DASH STATUS DISPLAY WITH A WRENCH LIGHT AND INCREASED ENGINE NOISE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURING. THE ENGINE CODES SCANNED VIA THE OBDII PORT DIRECTLY AFTE…

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER GOING INTO SORT OF A LIMP MODE / LOW POWER MODE, INDICATED LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ON THE DASH STATUS DISPLAY WITH A WRENCH LIGHT AND INCREASED ENGINE NOISE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURING. THE ENGINE CODES SCANNED VIA THE OBDII PORT DIRECTLY AFTER ARE AS FOLLOWS: P051B, P0299, P0340, P0344, P0365 AND P0369. THE TAG/STICKER ON THE TOP OF THE MOTOR HAS THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS, DATE AND INFORMATION ON IT: H2BG 6L084 AA 1,01 427 CRAIOVA ENGINE PLANT 19JUL17 FWSTA19071410474H2BG 6L084 AA FE AFTER FINDING OUT ABOUT THE CURRENT RECALL CAMPAIGN 23S64 / 23V905 AND SPEAKING WITH A FORD REPRESENATIVE WHO RECOMENDED GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLER, THE CAR WAS TRAILERED TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (MULLINAX FORD, MOBILE, ALABAMA) ON 26FEB24 AND THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR EVALUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11574165

102,284 miles · Feb 25, 2024
Engine

I purchased the vehicle and not even two weeks goes by before I am going 55mph and the entire car started shutting down. I managed to get off the road. I had the vehicle towed to Klaben Ford in Warren where it took months to replace the engine and turbo. I finally get it back and not even 24 hours went by before it stalled going…

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I purchased the vehicle and not even two weeks goes by before I am going 55mph and the entire car started shutting down. I managed to get off the road. I had the vehicle towed to Klaben Ford in Warren where it took months to replace the engine and turbo. I finally get it back and not even 24 hours went by before it stalled going over railroad tracks. Klaben tells me they left a clamp on my engine and gave it back. I had it for two days before I had a loss of power again while turning left in an intersection. Luckily the oncoming traffic were extremely quick to respond and were able to stop before hitting me. This time they had my car for a week or two and gave it back finally working. Unrelated to this exact case, but Klaben also in that time had my vehicle catch on fire when another vehicle exploded next to it. They took it to their own body shop without my consent originally. Since it was already there I agreed to have them estimate repairs. Little did I realize they would cut their labor costs to be able to not total out the vehicle. Looking back I should of had an unrelated body shop estimate the repairs to have the [XXX] car totaled out and replaced. Fast forward about two years where I have my car finally running and seems great. January 2024 comes and the engine light warning comes across my car while I am on [XXX] driving 70 miles per hour with my 1 and 3 year old in the car. I stop and I have it taken to my mechanic who told me to drive it as little as possible because the engine would need replaced. I then call Ford to tell them about it and asked about a buy back. This was TWO DAYS before I get the advance recall letter. Not once in the phone call did they tell me how dangerous my car was at this point and never said anything about the recall. I try to go to work the next day and my oil light then comes on. I then finally get the recall to find out I would still have to pay about $7,500 out of pocket for engine and turbo as well at $1,800 a month in rental cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE F

NHTSA ODI #11573840

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

In October 2023, my oil pump failed while on the freeway, resulting in total engine and turbo failure, severe emotional distress, and a substantial financial burden. I had to pay out of pocket to replace both components. In February 2024, the transmission failed on the freeway, increasing the financial burden already on my shoul…

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In October 2023, my oil pump failed while on the freeway, resulting in total engine and turbo failure, severe emotional distress, and a substantial financial burden. I had to pay out of pocket to replace both components. In February 2024, the transmission failed on the freeway, increasing the financial burden already on my shoulders as Ford notified me they would not consider reimbursement for the money already spent on the engine and turbo replacement until 6-8 weeks after I file a report, and they will not allow me to file the reimbursement request until some point in April-June of this year. I drive for work and am now in an extremely difficult position due to the failure of multiple components resulting in serious mental, emotional, and financial duress. My safety was endangered in both cases as I was driving on the freeway in traffic. I do not believe a car less than 6 years old should have an engine, turbo, and transmission failure all just outside of the 5 year warranty within a few months of each other. I believe this violates the implied warranty of merchantability and presents a serious hazard for other owners of this make and model.

NHTSA ODI #11573492

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2024
Engine

This vehicle is currently under recall number Manufacturer Recall Number 23S64 and NHTSA Recall Number 23V905. This recall has caused the engine to seize up. The dealership I bought it from will not help with the recall and states that I could pay to have the engine replaced myself for 6000.00. The dealership acknowledges there …

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This vehicle is currently under recall number Manufacturer Recall Number 23S64 and NHTSA Recall Number 23V905. This recall has caused the engine to seize up. The dealership I bought it from will not help with the recall and states that I could pay to have the engine replaced myself for 6000.00. The dealership acknowledges there is a recall on my car, they are having trouble getting the parts, but will not provide me with a loaner car until the parts arrive, and tried to pressure me into paying for a replacement engine out of pocket. They also charged me 138.99 to look at car and determine it is part of the recall. I had to pay to have it towed back to my house due to their inadequate service and non-help in this recall situation.

NHTSA ODI #11573139

Official recalls

2

23V905000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Dec 22, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

18V312000 · Equipment:other:labels; Service Brakes

May 14, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Equipment:other:labels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE23015 · Oil Pump Failure

Opened Sep 20, 2023 · Closed Feb 14, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.