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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

Service Brakes complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2024
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

I was just parking my car in a spot in my parking lot in front of my apartment. All of a sudden my car took at a fast speed. I could not stop it. I went over two curbs and hit a tree. Finally it stopped. Now it may be totalled. I looked up the recall of this car, and it said my car has a problem that could cause the engine and p…

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I was just parking my car in a spot in my parking lot in front of my apartment. All of a sudden my car took at a fast speed. I could not stop it. I went over two curbs and hit a tree. Finally it stopped. Now it may be totalled. I looked up the recall of this car, and it said my car has a problem that could cause the engine and power brakes to fail while driving. My insurance company thinks it is my fault, but I think this proves differently. Please advise. I never got a notice about this recall. I could have been killed if my car hit the tree head on. thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11572566

71,000 miles · Feb 7, 2024
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal was firm. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent me…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal was firm. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the engine and referred her to the Ford dealer. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who tested the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #11570557

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2023
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

On June 30 2023 my 2018 Ford eco sports “oil engine pressure low” light turned on while I was trying to get on the freeway. Only seconds later my car will hardly accelerate, and I was forced to pull over right after merging onto the highway at about 35 mph. Thankfully I did because when I got to the shoulder I noticed the brake…

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On June 30 2023 my 2018 Ford eco sports “oil engine pressure low” light turned on while I was trying to get on the freeway. Only seconds later my car will hardly accelerate, and I was forced to pull over right after merging onto the highway at about 35 mph. Thankfully I did because when I got to the shoulder I noticed the brakes were extremely hard to push down. Even after when I tried to restart my car there was tension on the brake (which I have to press to start the car) I had to wait on the side of the freeway for hours and have my car towed over 50 miles home. Upon 2 different mechanics looking at my car they estimated it to be a $7,000 engine repair due to the timing belt tensioner loosing oil pressure and messing the engine up. I haven’t been able to drive my car since June of 2023 and am still making payments on my loan. Not to mention my car, though bought in 2019, was cared for meticulously and has less than 100,000 miles in it. Ford advised me to simply pay for the damages and keep my receipts in the case of the car getting recalled, they might be able to reimburse me she said. The representative or Ford failed to think about the fact that this is not only a financial issue but a safety one! Thank god my daughter wasn’t with me stranded as well. I’m also lucky it was early in the morning and there wasn’t a lot of traffic when I was nervously trying to get on the freeway at 35 mph to find a safe spot to get parked. I’m not only disappointed in Ford but worried for other people/ family’s driving this time bomb!

NHTSA ODI #11549880

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2023
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

I got in the car one morning and got a low pressure oil light so I thought it needed more oil so I put more oil in the car and then as I was driving I had low acceleration. Then my brakes started to go out Then my brakes started to go out. Not like they needed to be replaced but they were very hard to press and you needed to pre…

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I got in the car one morning and got a low pressure oil light so I thought it needed more oil so I put more oil in the car and then as I was driving I had low acceleration. Then my brakes started to go out Then my brakes started to go out. Not like they needed to be replaced but they were very hard to press and you needed to press them all the way to the floor but you still didn't have any breaks. My safety and other people safety was put at risk when I was driving the car and my brake started to go out because I didn't have any way to stop my car. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic that I took the car too that I was told I needed to take it to buy my warranty company. It has been taken to a mechanic it's been at the mechanic for 2 plus weeks. I It is currently available to look at but the mechanic is fighting with my warranty company to get a new engine to replace the one I currently have because that's a conclusion that they have come to that i need a new engine. I was told on Thursday the 21st than an inspector from the warranty company was coming out to look at the car to determine whether or not they would approve for me to get a new engine. My check oil light and my check engine light came on as soon as I started having issues and Soon as the check engine light came on as when I started looking in to getting it fixed.

NHTSA ODI #11546170

67,000 miles · Mar 10, 2022
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, traffic started to slow down and the contact depressed the brake pedal, the brake pedal locked and failed to operate as designed. The low engine oil pressure warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to engage …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, traffic started to slow down and the contact depressed the brake pedal, the brake pedal locked and failed to operate as designed. The low engine oil pressure warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to engage the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #11456021

5,086 miles · Mar 13, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

WENT THROUGH CAR WASH HEADING TO VACCUM AREA. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. HIT POLE CAUSING $3110 IN DAMAGE TO MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11402746

5,000 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Service Brakes

AFTER 3 DEALER ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, BRAKES HAVE VERY LOUD SQUEAL WHEN IN REVERSE. NOISE CAN BE HEARD IN NEIGHBORS' HOMES.

NHTSA ODI #11268268

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesCrashInjury

I AM TRYING TO ADD INFORMATION TO COMPLAINT #11175903. WHEN I MADE THE COMPLAINT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SINCE THEN THE OTHER DRIVER PARTY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL UNKNOWN ON INJURIES CAN I ADD THIS TO MY COMPLAINT

NHTSA ODI #11176441

2,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesCrash

I HAVE 2018 FORD ECOSPORT AND THE AUTO SHUTOFF/RESTART WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T START AGAIN IT HAD STALLED THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING IT STALLED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY ON A RAMP AND I COULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS …

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I HAVE 2018 FORD ECOSPORT AND THE AUTO SHUTOFF/RESTART WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T START AGAIN IT HAD STALLED THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING IT STALLED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY ON A RAMP AND I COULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR CAR LENGTHS AHEAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY CAR HAS SEVERE DAMAGE. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY

NHTSA ODI #11175903

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.