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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

40 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

On 11/03/2023 my low oil pressure light came on in my 2018 Ecosport and the motor shut down as I was driving home. There was a car directly behind me that had to hit their brakes as I had no power. Luckily, I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. My car is currently at the Ford dealership and should be checked on 11…

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On 11/03/2023 my low oil pressure light came on in my 2018 Ecosport and the motor shut down as I was driving home. There was a car directly behind me that had to hit their brakes as I had no power. Luckily, I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. My car is currently at the Ford dealership and should be checked on 11/06/2023. I've had to go out of pocket for a rental.

NHTSA ODI #11553657

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 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 · Sep 22, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Oil Pump has failed. Has taken the car to 2 different dealerships and was told the repair would be over $8,000 to repair or replace the engine. Prior to oil pump failure I had no issues in fact I had just gotten an oil change 2 weeks previously. When they check the oil pump the had oil in it however there was no flow to the engi…

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Oil Pump has failed. Has taken the car to 2 different dealerships and was told the repair would be over $8,000 to repair or replace the engine. Prior to oil pump failure I had no issues in fact I had just gotten an oil change 2 weeks previously. When they check the oil pump the had oil in it however there was no flow to the engine it had low oil pressure.

NHTSA ODI #11546117

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

Brakes were squeaking when I brought vehicle off lot initially. Santa Monica Ford Lincoln Dealership notified me it is likely "dust on the tires, and would wear off in time." It never did. Later, vehicle was stalling in middle of intersections. Starter was replaced. Vehicle began lagging again to restart after idle at lights. Di…

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Brakes were squeaking when I brought vehicle off lot initially. Santa Monica Ford Lincoln Dealership notified me it is likely "dust on the tires, and would wear off in time." It never did. Later, vehicle was stalling in middle of intersections. Starter was replaced. Vehicle began lagging again to restart after idle at lights. Disgusting smell coming from vents described by dealership as "old socks." Brought it in, filter replaced. Smell continued. Brought it back again, issue was never fixed. They told me to run the vents. Shortly after, check engine light appeared with note "Low Oil Pressure." Car began making loud sounds. Brought car to dealership, has been 2 weeks with no diagnosis. Was notified of a rodent infestation. Dealership asked me to get approval from Ford for an engine tear down to find the root of the issue. Ford corporate was notified of this issue and is working with me on repairs. All repairs of past were under warranty. Current issue should be under power train, however, failing to give diagnostic after 2 weeks. I have covered 2 weeks of rentals out of pocket- Ford told me to go through Enterprise which I did. One week in, they notified me it has to be from their preferred Enterprise location. Nothing has been diagnosed or covered, dealership is stalling the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11546111

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Hello, This is my first recall complaint so I will do my best the Dashboard light is on indicating low oil pressure along with the engine light as well. After researching this issue, with my 2018 Ford Eco, sport. I have also read a lots of complaints from online website including YouTube videos from customers and mechanic Indica…

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Hello, This is my first recall complaint so I will do my best the Dashboard light is on indicating low oil pressure along with the engine light as well. After researching this issue, with my 2018 Ford Eco, sport. I have also read a lots of complaints from online website including YouTube videos from customers and mechanic Indicates that this is an ongoing problem for this year, make and model of vehicle. This is a very expensive part to replace a long with the hours of labor Involve With this repair $1500-$2000 later. My mechanic also indicates this is an ongoing problem after just having a vehicle a few years, the belt will break and get stuck in the oil pump were it will have trouble getting pressure where this parts will have to be replace along with a few other small parts that goes with it and if you’re lucky like myself you’re car won’t catch on fire in the process or at least that is what mechanics are talking about online about this particular issue. Mechanics are also saying that this is a poor design on Fords behalf with the belt, breaking. I checked for a recall on this problem could not find one. I’m hoping that you will see that this issue needs to be considered a recall because $1500 to $2000 is a lot of money for someone like myself that is broke and has nothing to their name but one car made by Ford motor company and someone like myself that is living paycheck to paycheck. If you need more information please contact me anytime [XXX] or [XXX] Thank you so much for your time INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11527752

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Oil pump has broken tension rod went on it as i was driving down the road it began making load noise and pressure light came on this is on my 2018 Ford Ecosport it was made in 12/17

NHTSA ODI #11508876

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Mechanic diagnostic was that nothing is getting to engine, which is why vehicle doesn't start. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED THERE WAS METAL IN THE OIL PAN.

NHTSA ODI #11476332

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

1. My car suddenly decelerated from 75mph to 40mph. 2. Had to pull off to the side of a busy road. 3. Had it towed to a Ford dealer. Was informed the throttle body broke. Ford replaced it. 4. Only Ford inspected the inspected the vehicle. 5. No warnings of any kind.

NHTSA ODI #11474512

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden I got low engine fuel oil pressure message on my dashboard. The oil lamp and engine lamp sensors came on. This is the first time it happened. I also heard a rattling noise coming from the inside of the car. I had it checked by my mechanic and he said it could be the the High pressure…

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I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden I got low engine fuel oil pressure message on my dashboard. The oil lamp and engine lamp sensors came on. This is the first time it happened. I also heard a rattling noise coming from the inside of the car. I had it checked by my mechanic and he said it could be the the High pressure fuel pump drive unit that needs to be replaced. I have not taken it to the manufacture to get it looked at. This happened to me when I was serving on the interstate with my mother and son and the car left us stranded on the road.

NHTSA ODI #11470342

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.