Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Ecosport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal fractured, causing her right foot to go through the pedal. The contact sustained whiplash, and cuts and bruises on the right foot. The other driver did not sustain injuries. The contact was able to continue driving. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak, but the source of the leak could not be determined. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
While driving toward the freeway on January 16, 2026, I pressed my brakes and the vehicle failed to slow or stop. Instead, the vehicle accelerated. I reacted quickly to avoid a head-on collision but was involved in a crash. When pressing on my brakes there were audible sounds from from my hood. As if my car wanted to stop but wouldn't. My engine previously failed for the same reason. When the second and third decal came out I called my local dealership. After my last oil change my car began to show show signs of concern. I emails and called the dealership, I brought my car in however they had no one to work on my car and wouldn't offer a rental. Told me as long as my car is drivable I'll be fine. This vehicle has an open recall related to engine/performance defects. History includes: Complete engine failure in 2024 (vehicle retained for two months). …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The braking system failed, preventing the vehicle from stopping properly. The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the brakes failed, I was unable to stop at a traffic light. The vehicle entered oncoming traffic and was involved in a collision, placing my safety and the safety of other motorists at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. I previously took the vehicle to the dealership several times for misfire and powertrain-related issues. The dealership was unable to identify the underlying problem and advised that the spark plugs were not tightened properly. …
In June 2023 I got into a rear end accident with another vehicle. On my way to work. It was an accident where my brakes failed to stop my car. It was the weirdest accident, because I actually saw myself going into the back of the car in front of me but it was like my car failed to stop. I told Geico that my foot went through the break. And I have pictures of where my break pedal, broken half. The dealership had my car for close to two months and they never fixed it. They ignored my calls. I ended up going to the dealership and picking up my car. They gave excuse after excuse, and they never returned my calls. I took it to a local place to have my car fixed. The brake pedal is still half of what it used to be. …
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. The vehicle was repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 38,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. Additionally, the vehicle lost power braking functionality and engine oil pressure, with the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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, [redacted]
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began shaking and the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. On another occasion, while the vehicle was in reverse and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The parking brake was engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,931.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Ecosport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ford Ecosport, 5% of the model year's 727 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Ecosport brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-312 (service brakes, May 14, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Ecosport brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.