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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

Steering complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2026
EngineService BrakesSteering

On July 9th, 2025, our car's engine failed. It was discovered that it was due to the safety recall 23S64 (Engine Oil Pump Failure). We were ill advised by Ford motor company customer relations specialist and ended up paying almost 1,000 for a rental car that should have been covered by the recall. We waited almost 5 months, to r…

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On July 9th, 2025, our car's engine failed. It was discovered that it was due to the safety recall 23S64 (Engine Oil Pump Failure). We were ill advised by Ford motor company customer relations specialist and ended up paying almost 1,000 for a rental car that should have been covered by the recall. We waited almost 5 months, to receive the car back fixed. It took us begging for the car to be shipped back to our home dealership in Cleveland TN, for the car to finally be fixed. The car sat at the dealership in Ripley, WV for 5 months. Bad customer service issues as well as no parts available.

NHTSA ODI #11711623

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2024
EngineSteering

Just got going over the light turned grren at a stoplight March 16, my car spit scattered and died at the side of the road. 1 week after getting the oil changed. The dealership has confirmed the issue as the pending recall for the oil pump tensioner belt. Unable to be driven till it's fixed. I see that it's not being relea…

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Just got going over the light turned grren at a stoplight March 16, my car spit scattered and died at the side of the road. 1 week after getting the oil changed. The dealership has confirmed the issue as the pending recall for the oil pump tensioner belt. Unable to be driven till it's fixed. I see that it's not being released till 1st qtr 2025 maybe. I am unable to fix the car myself as the principle is ford's issue not mine. Plus I don't have the money to do that. The car is in great shape and sitting outside in hot and soon winter is going to bring the value of my car down. What else can be done?

NHTSA ODI #11595304

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Electrical SystemSteeringVisibility/wiper

This has happened several times. While driving, the dashboard goes completely black. No gauges, no radio, no turn signals, no power steering, sometimes the wipers will work, no heat, no defrost. As suddenly as it went away everything comes back and the power steering causes the steering wheel to jerk in your hand. I’ve called Fo…

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This has happened several times. While driving, the dashboard goes completely black. No gauges, no radio, no turn signals, no power steering, sometimes the wipers will work, no heat, no defrost. As suddenly as it went away everything comes back and the power steering causes the steering wheel to jerk in your hand. I’ve called Ford Customer Relations twice and they are not concerned that that is a safety issue. However, all the gauges went out last night and now won’t come back. I have video of the incident happening while driving but your website won’t allow me to upload it.

NHTSA ODI #11564233

35 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Steering

CONTACTED DEALER SALES WITH ATTACHED PHOTO. STATES ALL THE CARS ARE LIKE THIS. THIS IS A MOVABLE STARRING COLUMN JUST BEHIND BRAKE BAD. A LOSE SHOE STRING CAN BE CAUGHT IN HERE DISABLE STEERING. THE FLOOR MAT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THIS AND MY WIFE THOUGH THE STEERING WAS THE ISSUE. IT REALLY IS. A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE COVER IS NEEDE…

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CONTACTED DEALER SALES WITH ATTACHED PHOTO. STATES ALL THE CARS ARE LIKE THIS. THIS IS A MOVABLE STARRING COLUMN JUST BEHIND BRAKE BAD. A LOSE SHOE STRING CAN BE CAUGHT IN HERE DISABLE STEERING. THE FLOOR MAT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THIS AND MY WIFE THOUGH THE STEERING WAS THE ISSUE. IT REALLY IS. A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE COVER IS NEEDED

NHTSA ODI #11183132

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.