Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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 contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while initially accelerating, the vehicle was stalling when approaching 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and an unknown warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a turbocharger and under-boost failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred while accelerating the vehicle and making a right turn, the vehicle stalled and another vehicle crashed into the the driver's side door and the front driver's side tire of the contact's vehicle. No police report was filed. The contact received treatment for a concussion and minor muscle tears. The contact stated that there were no known injuries the 3 occupants in the other vehicle sustained. The contact's vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to a body shop. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the thermostat had failed. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, who made the same assessment and informed the contact that the failure could be covered under warranty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the engine under warranty; however, the failure recurred within 24 hours. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the thermostat and the starter were replaced. The contact stated that while pulling out of a Walmart parking lot the following day, the vehicle shut off. …
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 not yet available. 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 while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to lose motive power. The contact stated that the "low oil pressure" warning light was illuminated, and there was an audible chime heard. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact was able to pull off the highway and stopped and then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. …
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 not yet available. 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 while driving approximately 65 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light was blinking off and on and the "See Owner's Manual" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to exit the highway and drive back to the residence. The contact stated that the same warning lights and a chime were sounding. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and did not attempt to restart the vehicle. …
When driving on the highway my car slowed down and then completely shut off, nearly causing multiple car accidents. In an effort to get my car off the road, the car started up for a few seconds, In which I CRASHED into a tree on the side of the road. The system error that popped up on my dashboard read: low engine oil pressure. It has been almost THREE MONTHS and FORD has yet to remedy this situation. They claim there's nothing they can do until the recall officially opens. The delay on this recall has cost me so much money! Im paying a car note AND insurance for a car I can't even drive!!! Nor will anyone assist me with a rental!!!! I'm not even able to get to work!!!!!!!!! I've made so many efforts to receive any type of assistance from FORD but every time I call they basically tell me to kick rocks and deal with it, there's nothing they will do!!!!! Im so disgusted with FORD. …
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 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 owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that after refueling and driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact turned off the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The service and engine 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 local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pump
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.
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…
NHTSA investigations
Oil Pump Failure
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.
Engine complaints in other Ecosport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
NHTSA has 642 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Ford Ecosport, 88% of the model year's 727 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication › pump (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Ecosport engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-905 (pump, Dec 22, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Ecosport engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.