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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

What owners actually said

726 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the deal…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that a replacement long block was required. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11606832

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2024
Engine

Engine slowed to under 45 mph while driving on the highway, and vehicle was unable to function at higher speeds. Engine oil pressure low warning registered. Vehicle ceased being able to perform at highway speeds and had to be towed.

NHTSA ODI #11606754

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI #11606549

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI #11606542

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2024
Engine

When driving on the freeway, a low oil pressure alert came on, so the vehicle began to lose power and sound very bad. I had to stop on the freeway and pull over to a safe place on the road to check for any leaks or lack of oil. but everything was fine, I took him to a safe place away from the highway but the noise was constant s…

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When driving on the freeway, a low oil pressure alert came on, so the vehicle began to lose power and sound very bad. I had to stop on the freeway and pull over to a safe place on the road to check for any leaks or lack of oil. but everything was fine, I took him to a safe place away from the highway but the noise was constant so I had to ask for help from a tow truck to take him home since I was far from it

NHTSA ODI #11606329

55,000 miles · Jul 31, 2024
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, the rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake light bulbs had been replaced on several occasions. The local dealer wa…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, the rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake light bulbs had been replaced on several occasions. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11605699

39,978 miles · Jul 31, 2024
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle was not functioning normally with the "wrench" symbol and the "low oil pressure" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was independently gaining momentum and then losing momentum. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel gauge was no longer accurately measuring the fuel mileage. The contact stated that after refueling, the fuel gauge showed 65 miles remaining on the full tank of gasoline. The failure mileage was 39,978. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11605601

30,217 miles · Jul 29, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made awa…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the "Low Engine Oil Pressure" warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil pump had failed, and the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced; however, the parts to repair the vehicle were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,217. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11605124

95,201 miles · Jul 26, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, before receiving notification the contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood with an abno…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, before receiving notification the contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood with an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power with the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights illuminated. The contact drove back to the residence and later had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil pump had failed. The contact stated that the mechanic replaced the oil pump and timing belt, and recommended that the turbocharger be replaced. The contact stated that all parts were replaced; however, the turbocharger was not replaced. The vehicle was partially repaired. The contact started the vehicle and shifted into drive (D); however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that after receiving the recall notification, a local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part was not available. The failure mileage was 95,201. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11604714

71,000 miles · Jul 25, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the RPMs were significantly reduced while driving. Additionally, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the check engine warning…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the RPMs were significantly reduced while driving. Additionally, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was flashing on and off. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and informed the contact that the vehicle should not be driven. The contact was informed that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11604595

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.