IllustrationThe low engine oil light came on when the oil was full. Car began shuttering and whining. Dealership says oil pump went out and engine ruined
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ecosport years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
5025–50K
10050–75K
6275–100K
27100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsNo warning, "engine oil low" notice comes on dash during grocery run. Parked car at the house and didn't not drive it until appt was made at Ford Dealership. Drove the 1 mile away from home to the appt. 2 weeks later dealership tells me that the engine had zero oil in it, despite showing full oil on dipstick. They claim it was a…
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No warning, "engine oil low" notice comes on dash during grocery run. Parked car at the house and didn't not drive it until appt was made at Ford Dealership. Drove the 1 mile away from home to the appt. 2 weeks later dealership tells me that the engine had zero oil in it, despite showing full oil on dipstick. They claim it was an oil pump failure & it's very common in 2018 and 2019 models. They also claim that Ford is unwilling to repair because I am outside the 60k powertrain, my mileage is 61,478. Car is is great shape other than this failure, regular oil changes, brand new battery, new tires.
Over 400 power train codes since day that it was purchased. Kept getting run around on issue. Finally was “fixed”. Now a new power train code. Vehicle has reduced power mid drive and has trouble accelerating from a stop. Both issues have almost cause accidents. Car has had several times where vehicle would have a clicking sound …
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Over 400 power train codes since day that it was purchased. Kept getting run around on issue. Finally was “fixed”. Now a new power train code. Vehicle has reduced power mid drive and has trouble accelerating from a stop. Both issues have almost cause accidents. Car has had several times where vehicle would have a clicking sound when trying to start and has not started at times. Dealership now several months out to repair again.
Ive had this car for 2 years and the check engine light is on and low oil pressure light is on also. The oil is not getting to the engine causing it to knock and loose pressure when driving. Also the starter wont turn.
2018 FORD ECOSPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT.
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
I PURCHASE A NEW 2018 FORD ECOSPORT. ON 12/22/19 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER INSIDE BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. ON 12/23/19 I HAD A FORD DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE BATTERY AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, O…
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I PURCHASE A NEW 2018 FORD ECOSPORT. ON 12/22/19 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER INSIDE BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. ON 12/23/19 I HAD A FORD DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE BATTERY AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, ON 1/3/20 (11 DAYS LATER) WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ONCE AGAIN THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER BUT NO ENGINE RESPONSE. I HAD TO GET PUSHED OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER (I WAS OUT OF TOWN) THEY INSISTED THAT IT WAS THE BATTERY (EVENTHOUGH IT WAS REPLACED ONLY DAYS PRIOR) AND SUGGESTED I DISABLE THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE AND TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS. I AM CONCERNED THAT FORD IS MISSING SOMETHING. AFTER READING OTHER SIMILAR ACCOUNTS I WAS COMPELLED TO REPORT MY EXPERIENCES. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH MAY CAUSE BODILY INJURY AND/OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP US PREVENT A TRAGEDY
Official recalls
223V905000 · 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
1PE23015 · 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.