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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

Power Train complaints

67 reports
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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 · Aug 15, 2023
EnginePower Train

2018 EcoSport with 64k miles. After highway travel stopped at a gas station, the vehicle had a low engine oil pressure light turn on while idling... With a fast knock noise. During highway travel there were no signed of any issues. After towing to dealership, we found the OIL SUMP TENSIONER BELT BROKE. Dealership said we need a …

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2018 EcoSport with 64k miles. After highway travel stopped at a gas station, the vehicle had a low engine oil pressure light turn on while idling... With a fast knock noise. During highway travel there were no signed of any issues. After towing to dealership, we found the OIL SUMP TENSIONER BELT BROKE. Dealership said we need a new motor.

NHTSA ODI #11538704

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 · Jun 21, 2023
Air BagsPower TrainSeat Belts

car failed to accelerate then lost power then stopped running. my app gave me these messages occupant classification system module is present but not configured, airbag warning is on due to electrical issue with vehicle and poertrain malfunctio powertrain fault. After turning the car off an disabling auto start stop the vehicle…

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car failed to accelerate then lost power then stopped running. my app gave me these messages occupant classification system module is present but not configured, airbag warning is on due to electrical issue with vehicle and poertrain malfunctio powertrain fault. After turning the car off an disabling auto start stop the vehicle got me home. but due to the airbag issue my app advised me to not drive the vehicle. 2 months ago the auto start stop failed to restart and car would not automatically recrank. i usually turn auto start stop off due to the failure to auto restart. I did not disable the auto start stop today until i had had ghe acceleration and power failure.

NHTSA ODI #11528207

62,000 miles · Mar 24, 2023
EnginePower TrainCrash

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with her husband in the front passenger’s seat and her infant in a car seat in the rear seat, the vehicle began to lose motive power and was making abnormal loud cranking sounds. The message "Power Train Malfunction -Reduced Power" was displayed, and …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with her husband in the front passenger’s seat and her infant in a car seat in the rear seat, the vehicle began to lose motive power and was making abnormal loud cranking sounds. The message "Power Train Malfunction -Reduced Power" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated upon attempting to exit the highway and avoid incoming traffic, the front passenger side of the bumper struck a guard rail. There was no injury sustained. The contact was able to continue driving at 35 MPH and pulled into a fire station. The contact turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle with assistance. The contact then drove to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day. The dealer informed the contact that an oil change needed to be performed in order to diagnose the vehicle. Upon completing the oil change, the dealer diagnosed that oil was leaking into the engine and that the engine might need to be replaced. The alternator, the oil pump belt, and the twin-turbo were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine 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 the power train Extended Warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #11513619

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2023
EnginePower Train

Car started making a loud knocking noise and the check engine light came on. We had it towed to a mechanic and was told the oil pump belt was bad and caused the engine to go bad. We had to pay for a new engine and new oil pump belt. We were told that if this would have went out when he was on the freeway the car would have just …

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Car started making a loud knocking noise and the check engine light came on. We had it towed to a mechanic and was told the oil pump belt was bad and caused the engine to go bad. We had to pay for a new engine and new oil pump belt. We were told that if this would have went out when he was on the freeway the car would have just stopped.

NHTSA ODI #11511957

31,000 miles · Mar 14, 2023
Power TrainCrash

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled down the hill and backed into a tree. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally lost by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed and advised to contact…

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The contact owned a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled down the hill and backed into a tree. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally lost by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed and advised to contact NHTSA and file a complaint. The failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #11511781

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

61,050 miles · Jan 11, 2023
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle made abnormally loud sound sounds and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; it was determ…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle made abnormally loud sound sounds and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine was replaced a second time. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,050.

NHTSA ODI #11501296

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2022
EnginePower Train

I was driving home low oil pressure warning came on, oil was full, then it started to make noise and now the car is dead, can't lock/unlock, all power is gone. FORD refuses to fix the issue and with ALL complaints that I've read how has there not been a recall on this. I HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GO TO WORK, like the others, I can't…

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I was driving home low oil pressure warning came on, oil was full, then it started to make noise and now the car is dead, can't lock/unlock, all power is gone. FORD refuses to fix the issue and with ALL complaints that I've read how has there not been a recall on this. I HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GO TO WORK, like the others, I can't afford to get a new car, I have bills and a job that have to be paid and have to work to make that happen. I have to drive an hour away for my job. I do not have the $7000 for a new engine as this is what I am told. Having to this issue is not an issue caused by me this should be the responsibility of FORD to repair the issues or new engines for those of us that have a dead car. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE ASAP!!

NHTSA ODI #11498540

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.