2018 Ford Ecosport: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The affected systems are the engine and powertrain. After completion of Safety Recall 23S64 (the federal safety agency #23V905) in November 2025, my vehicle began experiencing repeated loss of power, stalling, and reduced-power “limp mode” events. The check engine light illuminated and diagnostic trouble code P0299 (Turbocharger Underboost Condition) was identified. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk due to sudden loss of engine power while driving, including hesitation and reduced acceleration in traffic. The vehicle has stalled and entered limp mode unexpectedly, creating a risk of being unable to maintain speed or safely merge. The problem has been reproduced and documented through multiple return visits to the same Ford dealership following the recall repair. The dealership attempted repairs including spark plug replacement and battery replacement, which did not resolve the issue. On the most recent visit, the dealership stated the issue was “unable to duplicate” and returned the vehicle without repair, despite prior documented limp mode behavior. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer’s authorized dealership multiple times. Additionally, an independent diagnostic scan confirmed P0299 turbocharger underboost. Warning indicators included the check engine light, reduced engine power, and limp mode behavior, which first appeared after the recall repair was completed. These symptoms have continued despite repeated service visits. Given the vehicle’s history of prior engine failure at approximately 29, 313 miles, and the fact that Recall 23S64 involves oil pump belt failure and oil pressure loss, I am concerned that the recall repair was incomplete or ineffective, potentially allowing residual oil starvation damage affecting the turbocharger and related components.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Engine · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while attempting to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally while the transmission was shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed there were metal shavings found inside the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed May 5, 2025 · Engine · 50,800 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. The contact stated that the check engine and START/STOP warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,800. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · 50,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); but the recall repair failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, and the engine failed after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 23, 2024 · Engine · 29,011 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 29,011.

Filed May 23, 2024 · Fuel system · 42,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The failure persisted, and the check engine warning light remained solid on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective canister purge valve. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where another diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was provided the same diagnosis. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2024 · Engine · 60,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated along with the message "Oil Pressure Low", and the vehicle started to hesitate while pulling into a fuel station to stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the brake pedal was difficult to depress while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a faulty engine that needed a replacement with the turbo. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer stated no timeline for the recall remedy was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was unable to relate the failure to the recall since the remedy was not available. A case was not opened with the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Engine · 68,028 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an abnormal, clanking sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact’s son was able to coast the vehicle off the highway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the technician discovered metal shavings in the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Action Number: PE23015 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the vehicle failure. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 68,028.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact exited the highway and stopped at a service station and had oil added. The contact stated that she drove for several more days and the oil pressure warning again illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to accelerate above 40 MPH, and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the engine and turbo charger were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the next day, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that three spark plugs and coolant needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had blown and the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.