On August 20, 2026, my 2018 Ford EcoSport equipped with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine suddenly shut down while I was driving on the highway. The unexpected loss of engine power created a serious safety concern because the vehicle became disabled while traveling in highway traffic. This failure occurred despite extensive previous engine-related repairs, including completion of Ford Safety Recall 23S64. On September 15, 2025, the vehicle overheated, the check-engine light illuminated, and coolant had to be added. Camelback Ford subsequently diagnosed a cracked thermostat housing, cracked coolant expansion reservoir, and failed reservoir cap. These components were replaced. During the same September 2025 service visit, Camelback Ford performed Safety Recall 23S64, replacing the engine oil-pump drive belt, tensioner, and timing belt on the original engine. In December 2025, the vehicle experienced significant power loss. Camelback Ford diagnosed a failed vacuum pump and discovered that the turbocharger’s internal turbine had come apart and completely seized. The turbocharger was replaced in January 2026. Approximately seven months later, on August 20, 2026, the engine unexpectedly shut down on the highway. The vehicle was taken to Earnhardt Ford. On October 16, 2026, the dealership reported severe coolant intrusion into cylinder 3. During a cooling-system pressure test, cylinder 3 filled with coolant within approximately 10 minutes. Diagnostic codes included P0217, P0301, P0303, P0316, P1285, and P1299, indicating overheating and engine misfires. Earnhardt Ford suspects an internal cylinder-wall failure but has not confirmed the exact source of the coolant intrusion. The dealership recommends complete engine long-block replacement. I am concerned about the safety of these engines, particularly the risk of sudden engine shutdown while driving, even after completion of an engine-related safety recall. I request that the federal safety agency review this incident for a potential safety def
The worst 2018 Ford Ecosport problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine643
- Transmission67
- Fuel system44
- Electrical35
- Brakes33
- Acceleration19
- Airbags10
- Wheels9
- Body5
- Steering4
- Driver assistance3
- Lights3
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ford Ecosport
Engine failure 169Check engine light 142Stalling 87Loss of power 52Knocking 26Won't start 16Jerking 14Oil consumption 14Misfire 12Hesitation 11Grinding brakes 10Fire or smoke 10Overheating 8Won't shift 8Brake failure 7Start-stop 7Warning lights 7Harsh shifting 5Transmission failure 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport mention
P0299 3P0303 3P0014 2P0316 2P0340 2P0344 2P0496 2P051B 2
Recalls 2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V905000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V312000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2018 Ford Ecosport
Defect 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. 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
PE23015
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Ford Ecosport 95
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine...
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,...
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be...
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to
- Condition of missing authorization, command and control, battery charging details or phone-as-a-key setup...
- Inoperative remote features via Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization and/or no...
- In various 2017-2022 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or...
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2236 to update the models and year affected
2018 Ford Ecosport fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0L 3‑cyl | FWD | 27 | 29 | 28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 23 | 29 | 25 |
What 2018 Ford Ecosport owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle equipped with 1.0 L eco-boost engine suffered a catastrophic internal cylinder head fracture leading to antifreeze flooding two cylinders income, complete engine failure. This is a known widespread manufacturing defect that mirrors, Fords large eco-booth, coolant intrusion crisis.
While having oil changed at the Ford dealership, I was told there was a small oil leak. I made an appt for a diagnostic test for the following week. I was told the diagnostic test showed a cracked valve cover. I had it repaired while they had the vehicle.
I have had issues in the past with the transmission of this car for the past few months, it initially started to give me issues around 49k miles in this car, so I got it flushed out by a mechanic and it ran fine for a few months. Just a few days ago, I was headed home and my transmission went completely out as I was about to enter a state highway and I had to pull over into a neighborhood to get it towed. I had to send it over to my mechanic again, and he said the transmission is completely done for. My car could've almost went out on me completely if I kept pushing it, but I knew it was a hazard. I've heard from multiple other sources as I checked online to see if this was an issue with other Ecosports as well, and it seems like there's multiple complaints of this issue. I had no idea this car had an issue, at there was no warning light or anything indicating there was something wrong with it, until I noticed the acceleration wasn't quite right.
1.0L EcoBoost suffered a repeat failure following Recall 23S64, Metro Ford of OKC confirmed in writing that prior dealer workmanship caused the failure, and Ford Corporate (Case # CXH-08846832) is completely unresponsive, leaving the vehicle inoperable and unsafe.
I had a Purge valve put in about a year ago and was told that that was the problem for my gas gauge going completely to empty while driving and losing power while driving
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine and turbocharger needed to be replaced due to internal bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
On XXX, my 2018 Ford EcoSport experienced a sudden loss of engine oil pressure and loss of power while driving on [XXX], consistent with the failure mode described in Ford Safety Recall 23S64 / the federal safety agency Recall 23V905 (engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm fracture and/or oil pump drive belt degradation). The vehicle lost motive power on a public highway and had to be towed to Olathe Ford Lincoln, Olathe, KS for repair. The dealer has confirmed the failure is covered under this recall, but has stated repair parts are backordered with an estimated repair time of 2–3 months. I am filing this complaint to document that the defect described in this recall has actually manifested in my vehicle — a loss of engine power on a highway — which per Ford's own notice also results in loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required for power brake assist, creating a serious crash risk. I am requesting the federal safety agency log this incident against Recall 23V905 and evaluate whether a 2–3 month repair timeline meets the "reasonable time" remedy standard under 49 U.S.C. § 30120. I also did not receive and notice of the recall before the event occured, so that I could be proactive with the repair before the dangerous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that while slowing down, the RPM became extremely elevated, and the low oil pressure warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate, and the contact pulled over into a nearby parking lot and parked the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
There was a recall on these cars do to timing chain issues but mine was not in the recall with the others but ones not in recall are having same issues. Car is a ticking time bomb I want fixed under the recall.
Compare the 2018 Ford Ecosport
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Other model years
Questions about the 2018 Ford Ecosport
Is the 2018 Ford Ecosport reliable?
Owners have filed 728 complaints about the 2018 Ford Ecosport, 1.8 times a typical Ecosport model year.
What is the 2018 Ford Ecosport year score?
The 2018 Ford Ecosport scores 54 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Ecosport: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
Engine and cooling, with 643 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is transmission (67).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Ecosport have?
2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and service brakes.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Ecosport engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V905000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Ecosport have bad engine?
The Ford Ecosport model years with the most engine complaints are 2018 (643 complaints), 2019 (405 complaints) and 2020 (349 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Ecosport get?
Official estimates for the 2018 Ford Ecosport range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.0L 3-cyl, FWD) gets 27 city and 29 highway.
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