2018 Ford Ecosport: misfire or rough idle

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Engine · AZ

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

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · PA · crash · 3 injuries

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. Similar issues have occurred multiple times over the past few years. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is awaiting inspection by the insurance company. Additional inspections may be conducted as part of the claim investigation. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. Warning lights appeared earlier this week, and I brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the warnings. I picked up the vehicle on June 11, 2026. On June 12, 2026, the brakes failed, resulting in the accident.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

After fueling, codes P0496 will show and car will not start or struggle to start. Stalling when on freeway and rough idle. My vehicle shut off on the freeway causing me to almost crash and had to stop immediatly. In my investigation, it seems I am not the only one suffering this issue. I am on my 2nd engine replacement from the original recall as well.

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Engine · CA

My 2018 Ford EcoSport is subject to Safety Recall 23S64, concerning a defective oil pump belt and/or tensioner that can lead to engine failure. My VIN is listed in this recall. The engine has symptoms consistent with this recall, including performance loss, mechanical noise, and diagnostic codes such as P0014 (camshaft timing over-advanced), P0303 (cylinder misfire), and U0100 (lost communication with ECM/PCM). The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Ford dealership (Sunrise Ford of North Hollywood). However, the dealer has refused to perform the required diagnostic inspection unless I pay $1,084. This is a direct violation of federal law under 49 U.S.C. § 30120, which mandates that both diagnosis and remedy of safety-related recalls must be provided free of charge. I have also documented communication from the dealership and a written inspection from an independent licensed repair shop showing the engine is in as-found condition and that no repairs were attempted. I am seeking enforcement action to ensure that the recall is honored as required by law. Dealership: Sunrise Ford of North Hollywood Address: 5500 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 Service Advisor Name: Bruno Rivero

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Engine · FL

We noticed rattling and misfiring sounds from the motor but no warning indications on the dash. 2 days later when my wife was coming home the car started losing power and "died". Would not restart but no warning lights on dash. The app did send a notice about loss of pressure to turbo. Had my wife not been near someplace to pull into she would have been stranded in the road in a disabled vehicle. Traffic was backed up behind her while she was trying to get out of the road. Had the car "died" while she was on the interstate doing 70 it would have been COMPLETELY without power steering AND brakes. The car has ONLY been serviced by our local Ford dealer. So we had it towed there. This morning they are telling us it's a problem with the "integrated exhaust manifold" that allowed water into the cylinders and ruined the engine. Believe they called that a cracked block years ago? Something that shouldn't happen to a car with only 66K miles. They assured us it wasn't the oil pump from the recall. We just paid it off a couple months ago. Now it needs a new $6,300 motor. Not something senior citizens only a year from retirement can easily swing. There NEVER was ANY indication (warning lights, etc) or warning from the dealer after service of any problems. It seems that Ford has more problems with this motor than just the oil pump!!

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Engine · KS

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's husband connected the vehicle to the diagnostic machine. The contact retrieved a code for a misfire in cylinder #1. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the spark plugs were replaced. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had been persistent. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replaced, by a Nissan Dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Transmission · TX

In Jan 2024 my car started running rough. In Feb 2024 I was mailed the 23V‑905 recall notice. Late Feb I had the oil changed in my car. This didn't help the rough running. Mar 4 2024 a warning came on indicating "low engine oil pressure". I took it back to the oil change shop, who looked at everything, showed me it had a safe oil level...it was not dripping oil on my driveway. I was then told about the recall notice and to have it diagnosed at a dealership. Every dealer I called advised it an advance notice only, it's okay to drive my car, until parts are available - In July. I called Ford who gave me a service ticket CAS48387851. My dealership did a diagnosis and said there is metal in the oil with coes P0012, Intake camshaft position timing over re-tarded P0014, low or contaminated oil P0299, Turbo under boost condition P0303, cylinder 3 misfire detected P0316, Engine misfire Detected on start up P0340, camshaft position sensor A circuit P0344." They said I need my engine replaced for $7266.XX - and that this isn't recall related. I need the federal safety agency to upgrade the Ford recall to expedite repairs. There are many people without use of their vehicles, still making payments, and no replacement car due to Ford's inadequate response to a problem known since Feb 2022 when Critical Concern Reviewed the oil pump issue. Thank you

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine · AL

The 1.0Liter engine in the car was running rough and occasionally the car wouldn't start and it was losing engine coolant with no visible leaks. I replaced all three of the spark plugs and ignition coils due to a misfire code on cylinder 2. My daughter drove the car back to college (approx: 90 miles) with no issues. But the next day the car wouldn't start so we had it towed to a local mechanic who analyzed the engine and determined engine coolant was leaking into the engine cylinders which had fouled the plugs and damaged the engine. The auto mechanic said the car needs a new engine as the compression is inadequate in cylinder 2 and there's engine coolant in the cylinder as well as in the exhaust system.

Filed Dec 23, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

My car first came on with a check engine light at 53,000 miles. Got it coded that the car prompted and it was reading P015B which indicates bank 1 sensor 1 of O2 sensors experiencing a lean to rich response issue. I scheduled an appointment with a mechanic to have it looked at. It drove fine for 24 hours. The next day my car started to run rough and the oil light came on as well with an error message reporting low oil pressure. I recently got an oil change done a week prior. I did take the car back to where I got the oil change. The company did not find any issues with the oil change but proceeded to change it anyway again. They advised me at that point to not drive the car till diagnosed at a dealership. At this point I have had the car towed to a local dealership. I am told over the phone that it may be due to a know issue with my car of a bad oil pump and could risk blowing the engine. I am awaiting further diagnosis after the holidays.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Engine · CA

The engine cracked internally, and coolant intrusion is what has been diagnosed by the dealership's service department. A brand new engine is required. I am more than happy to ask the dealer to keep the old engine for inspection, and I have attached photos provided to me from the diagnosis. In these photos, coolant can be seen dripping along the engine walls. There also appears to be a crack between two pistons. This is incredibly disheartening to see at only 38,996 miles. Thankfully, I was parked when the engine had an incredibly rough start and idle. With only three cylinders and two misfiring according to early code retrievals, this might have been nasty had it occurred during travel. It was giving very aggressive shakes before turning off entirely in park. Check engine lights occurred after the engine was failing to work properly, and it was showing piston misfiring codes for two cylinders. This may be a design flaw with the engine design, but I am worried the replacement will have the same issue in the future if a new design was not implemented to correct or amend these issues.

Filed Oct 13, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

Failed oil pump. Driving on highway when engine oil pressure light comes on and car starts misfiring and no acceleration. Car drives completely 5 minutes after.

Filed May 10, 2023 · Engine · 84,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power, and the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the fuel injection system warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to reach her destination however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.