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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 · Nov 18, 2021
Engine

Driving back to North Carolina from Oklahoma my cars Low Oil Pressure light came on and dinged continuously. I was in the middle of Tennessee when this happened. The car lost all acceleration. I took it to a dealer the next morning and was told there is metal shavings in my oil. My oil level was fine. They removed the oil pan an…

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Driving back to North Carolina from Oklahoma my cars Low Oil Pressure light came on and dinged continuously. I was in the middle of Tennessee when this happened. The car lost all acceleration. I took it to a dealer the next morning and was told there is metal shavings in my oil. My oil level was fine. They removed the oil pan and found that pieces of my timing belt were in the oil. I was also told I needed a new engine and long block. My car has 64k miles on it. Talked to my dealer back here in NC and was told that Ford has issued a Special Service Message concerning the engine in my car with the dates qualifying. The message number is 49918. Stating that the engine can fail and you will get a low oil pressure light and lose acceleration. I call the Ford Motor Company and they said this was not a recall but for the dealers to do what they think is best for the customer and vehicle. I talked to Ford and they are willing to provide some assistance but not 100% because it is not a recall. My dealer also had an EcoSport in his service dept when he called me with the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11440950

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Engine

Engine replaced once, not even 1,000 of driving it the oil is leaking

NHTSA ODI #11423607

38,000 miles · Jun 8, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the engine oil pressure light illuminated with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to a lack of oil pressure. The contact was informed that the engine needed …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the engine oil pressure light illuminated with a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to a lack of oil pressure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced however, turbocharger malfunctioned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #11420108

69,564 miles · Feb 25, 2021
Engine

LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON -- DEALER HAD TO KEEP CAR FOR 10 DAYS TO TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM BY REPLACING PARTS IN ENGINE. ACCORDING TO DEALER THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL-- DEALER MADE ME PAY DEDUCTIBLE .

NHTSA ODI #11397947

37,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Engine

A WEEK BEFORE I HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORM ON MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING SERVICE ENGINE CAME ON THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI #11376486

60 miles · Nov 14, 2020
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY 29 WHEN A WARNING STATED FOR LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE NEAREST CAR REPAIR SHOP, AROUND 2 MILES AWAY. WHEN THEY CHECK THE ENGINE OIL, ENGINE OIL WAS FULL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE CENTER, AROUND 30 MILES AWAY. WHILE DRIVING BACK, 2MILES AFTER, MY CAR WAS DEC…

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I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY 29 WHEN A WARNING STATED FOR LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE NEAREST CAR REPAIR SHOP, AROUND 2 MILES AWAY. WHEN THEY CHECK THE ENGINE OIL, ENGINE OIL WAS FULL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE CENTER, AROUND 30 MILES AWAY. WHILE DRIVING BACK, 2MILES AFTER, MY CAR WAS DECELERATING UNTIL THE ENGINE STALLED. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PARK AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALONG HWY 29 AND HAD MY ECOSPORT TOWED. I WAS LATER TOLD THAT MY ENGINE AND TURBO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. MY CAR JUST TURNED 2YRS OLD IN OCT, 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11374693

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I WAS AT A LIGHT, I WENT TO GO AROUND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME & THE CAR KEPT REVVING LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO PICK UP. I HAD TO GLIDE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PICK UP IN THE CAR. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO DRIVE AGAIN. I AM GLAD A CAR WASN'T COMING BECAUSE IT WOULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11374046

40,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
Engine

OIL WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND THEN A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. CAR STARTED SHAKING. HAD TOWED TO FORD IN CLOVIS. SAID THE BLOCK IS DAMAGED AND LOOKS LIKE THE OIL BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND DAMAGED ENGINE

NHTSA ODI #11373258

43,456 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Engine

LOST OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AND ILLUMINATING ENGINE OIL LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329778

70,300 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Engine

LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CAME ON, HEADED STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE CAR DIED THREE MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHILE TURNING LEFT ONTO 501. MONDAY 06/15/2020 FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT I WILL NEED A COMPLETE NEW ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329209

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.