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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 · Oct 13, 2023
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

On June 30 2023 my 2018 Ford eco sports “oil engine pressure low” light turned on while I was trying to get on the freeway. Only seconds later my car will hardly accelerate, and I was forced to pull over right after merging onto the highway at about 35 mph. Thankfully I did because when I got to the shoulder I noticed the brake…

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On June 30 2023 my 2018 Ford eco sports “oil engine pressure low” light turned on while I was trying to get on the freeway. Only seconds later my car will hardly accelerate, and I was forced to pull over right after merging onto the highway at about 35 mph. Thankfully I did because when I got to the shoulder I noticed the brakes were extremely hard to push down. Even after when I tried to restart my car there was tension on the brake (which I have to press to start the car) I had to wait on the side of the freeway for hours and have my car towed over 50 miles home. Upon 2 different mechanics looking at my car they estimated it to be a $7,000 engine repair due to the timing belt tensioner loosing oil pressure and messing the engine up. I haven’t been able to drive my car since June of 2023 and am still making payments on my loan. Not to mention my car, though bought in 2019, was cared for meticulously and has less than 100,000 miles in it. Ford advised me to simply pay for the damages and keep my receipts in the case of the car getting recalled, they might be able to reimburse me she said. The representative or Ford failed to think about the fact that this is not only a financial issue but a safety one! Thank god my daughter wasn’t with me stranded as well. I’m also lucky it was early in the morning and there wasn’t a lot of traffic when I was nervously trying to get on the freeway at 35 mph to find a safe spot to get parked. I’m not only disappointed in Ford but worried for other people/ family’s driving this time bomb!

NHTSA ODI #11549880

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2023
EnginePower Train

Failed oil pump. Driving on highway when engine oil pressure light comes on and car starts misfiring and no acceleration. Car drives completely 5 minutes after.

NHTSA ODI #11549874

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Oil pump failure. Not available for inspection due to a new engine was installed at a cost of $5,278.74. This incident happened on a very busy road in extremely heavy traffic. Oil pump failure was confirmed by an independent service center. Component has been inspected by independent service center. No warning lights came o…

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Oil pump failure. Not available for inspection due to a new engine was installed at a cost of $5,278.74. This incident happened on a very busy road in extremely heavy traffic. Oil pump failure was confirmed by an independent service center. Component has been inspected by independent service center. No warning lights came on before failure.

NHTSA ODI #11549066

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2023
Engine

I was driving suddenly car lost power made a sound stopped and turned off Put car on park and when I tried to start car wouldn’t start.

NHTSA ODI #11548773

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2023
Engine

While driving from Texas to Florida engine warning lights came on. We pulled over and the car died. Had it towed to Ford dealership and was told the oil pump tensioner broke and engine needed to be replaced for $5000. This also added 2 extra days to the trip, charges for a rental, and the cost of having the car shipped after it …

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While driving from Texas to Florida engine warning lights came on. We pulled over and the car died. Had it towed to Ford dealership and was told the oil pump tensioner broke and engine needed to be replaced for $5000. This also added 2 extra days to the trip, charges for a rental, and the cost of having the car shipped after it was repaired.

NHTSA ODI #11548506

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I was driving on the highway and my oil light came on and it said 'oil pressure low'. I pulled over because the car would not go above 20 mph and the engine was making sputtering noises. Very scary! I had it towed to the dealership who said the oil pump failed and the belt. This was one MONTH after my warranty expired. They quot…

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I was driving on the highway and my oil light came on and it said 'oil pressure low'. I pulled over because the car would not go above 20 mph and the engine was making sputtering noises. Very scary! I had it towed to the dealership who said the oil pump failed and the belt. This was one MONTH after my warranty expired. They quoted me $4,000 as a fix but also said it was not guaranteed it wouldn't happen again. I argued with Ford who agreed to pay some of it. I am very mad that a car I've only had for two years completely died and had no fix. Also very dangerous for a car to completely die while on the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11547953

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2023
Engine

Driving at highway speed when the check engine light came on and it went into « limp mode » slowing down to 30 mph. Was towed to the dealership. The tensioner belt timing belt oil pump and turbo charger all needed to be replaced. Total cost was around $7,000. Car had 67,292 miles, the warranty is 60,000 miles

NHTSA ODI #11547891

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2023
Engine

Driving home from vacation when suddenly lost engine power and service engine light came on. Made it to shoulder and had car towed to dealer. After months waiting for warranty repair, was told that the oil pump pulley tensioner failed damaging oil pump. Was told due to low engine numbers from pandemic that Ford had them complete…

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Driving home from vacation when suddenly lost engine power and service engine light came on. Made it to shoulder and had car towed to dealer. After months waiting for warranty repair, was told that the oil pump pulley tensioner failed damaging oil pump. Was told due to low engine numbers from pandemic that Ford had them completely tear down the engine to make sure there was or was not damage and decide if they would replace it due to metal making it into oil pan from the damage. Ended up being ok they said so they replaces the oil pump, belt and assembly and the turbo charger. Did not think anything of it until I saw the article about investigation being opened for this exact reason.

NHTSA ODI #11547762

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2023
Engine

Vehicle lost power on the highway. Low oil, pressure light came on check engine light came on car has a very loud knocking. Noise was told from fire stone that this car is known for an oil tension pulley to snap in the engine and cause the engine to need to be replaced. Only 40k miles

NHTSA ODI #11547741

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2023
Engine

In January 2020 we suffered our 1st engune failure at 30k miles and it was replaced under warranty due to oil pump failure which resulted in a sudden failure at 75mph. My wife panicked when it happened and almost took oput the cars around when the car suddenly dropped to approx 30mph on the highway. Although the oil light came o…

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In January 2020 we suffered our 1st engune failure at 30k miles and it was replaced under warranty due to oil pump failure which resulted in a sudden failure at 75mph. My wife panicked when it happened and almost took oput the cars around when the car suddenly dropped to approx 30mph on the highway. Although the oil light came on and the sounder went off it happened so fast there was no time to react. The repair took approx 2 months to complete. In July of 2023 we suffered a 2nd engine failure at 67K miles. The oile light came on while traveling at 55mph and within seconds the car dropped to 30mph and failed. Wewere told by our dealer it would cost 10K to repair and not under warranty which was unacceptable. This resulted in my still owing my bank $7000 on a dead car. We were required to purchase a new car and the Ecosport sits in my driveway and we are still paying on it.

NHTSA ODI #11547684

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.