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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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60,000 miles · Jul 25, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40–60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and stopped. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shaving…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40–60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and stopped. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings inside the engine. The contact stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11534277

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2023
Engine

My 16 year old daughter was driving the car on a busy road that is 55mph and the car oil and engine lights came on with no warning and the car started clunking and died. The car out of the blue had lost all oil pressure and the engine seized. She was lucky she was able to safely move over to the side of the road. The oil had …

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My 16 year old daughter was driving the car on a busy road that is 55mph and the car oil and engine lights came on with no warning and the car started clunking and died. The car out of the blue had lost all oil pressure and the engine seized. She was lucky she was able to safely move over to the side of the road. The oil had been changed 90 days prior and there were no lights on the dash. The oil pump just failed as she was driving with no warning.

NHTSA ODI #11533586

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Unfortunately bought the car June 2022, heater core needed replaced suddenly October 2022. Thousands of $ spent. Next, the motor needed replaced May 2023, Approx miles 61,000. One month later, new motor already needs replaced at approx 62,000. First cause of motor failure was due to oil pump failure. Second cause still pending. …

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Unfortunately bought the car June 2022, heater core needed replaced suddenly October 2022. Thousands of $ spent. Next, the motor needed replaced May 2023, Approx miles 61,000. One month later, new motor already needs replaced at approx 62,000. First cause of motor failure was due to oil pump failure. Second cause still pending. Electrical system failure frequent as in radio not working. Auto-stop sometimes fails also saying "hill assist not available" while not on a hill at all.

NHTSA ODI #11532558

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2023
Engine

Was driving on interstate when Low Oil Indicator came on and car wouldn't go above 20mph. Pulled or coasted off exit and car stopped in middle of exit ramp. Thankfully this was at 10:30 at night, if this was during the day it could have been life threatening! Had car towed to AAA shop and there was oil but appears the oil pump f…

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Was driving on interstate when Low Oil Indicator came on and car wouldn't go above 20mph. Pulled or coasted off exit and car stopped in middle of exit ramp. Thankfully this was at 10:30 at night, if this was during the day it could have been life threatening! Had car towed to AAA shop and there was oil but appears the oil pump failed and now I need a new engine. Ford needs to recall! 68,400 miles and needs new engine unacceptable

NHTSA ODI #11532348

93,000 miles · Jul 13, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted to drive or reverse, the vehicle started to jerk. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 55 MPH, the engine started to overheat with the "Low Engine Oil Pressure" message and the oil lamp warning light illuminated. The v…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted to drive or reverse, the vehicle started to jerk. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 55 MPH, the engine started to overheat with the "Low Engine Oil Pressure" message and the oil lamp warning light illuminated. The vehicle stalled and the contact coasted to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred 3 times on that day. The contact became aware of white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle near the exhaust pipe which dissipated after the vehicle was shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact notified that vehicle had experienced engine failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #11532064

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2023
Engine

Complete engine failure caused by Failure of the Engine Oil Pump tensioner belt with no warning. Complete engine replacement required. Failed on hiughway.

NHTSA ODI #11531428

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

In July 7, 2023 driving on the highway. My 2018 Ford Ecosport SE had the low oil pressure sensor come while driving 75mph. The car instantly lost power, I couldn’t speed up to move over. My car died and wasn’t able to restart. Upon doing research online I’m seeing there have been MANY of these ecosport issues with 2018 and 2019 …

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In July 7, 2023 driving on the highway. My 2018 Ford Ecosport SE had the low oil pressure sensor come while driving 75mph. The car instantly lost power, I couldn’t speed up to move over. My car died and wasn’t able to restart. Upon doing research online I’m seeing there have been MANY of these ecosport issues with 2018 and 2019 models and Ford isn’t recalling or fixing this issue. We the consumer NEEDS HELP!!!

NHTSA ODI #11531065

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2023
Engine

Low engine oil pressure. Popped up on my dash along with check engine light and oil light. Once I took it to the dealer the told me I need a new engine. I seen you guys have already issued a statement for this issue with my make and year produced… the statement said anything build before April 2019. I bought my car in January of…

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Low engine oil pressure. Popped up on my dash along with check engine light and oil light. Once I took it to the dealer the told me I need a new engine. I seen you guys have already issued a statement for this issue with my make and year produced… the statement said anything build before April 2019. I bought my car in January of 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11529271

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Engine was broked. Caused for the oil presure

NHTSA ODI #11528480

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failu…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the long block and the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as there were no records that the vehicle was previously serviced at the dealer due to stalling. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11528160

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.