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
Ford Ecosport check engine light comes on
349 of the 1,871 owner complaints about the Ford Ecosport describe check engine light, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 349
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $6,300
- typical mileage
- 66,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 102Stalling 64Loss of power 36Hesitation 14Fire or smoke 13Knocking 13Won't start 9Jerking 9
Trouble codes mentioned
P0496 3P1299 2P04DB 2P0217 2U0155 1P1825 1P1285 1P051B 1P0420 1P0316 1
What owners say
My car engine light came on, and I instantly lost being able to drive normally. I lost the ability to hit the gas and the car move. The car is sitting at [XXX] [XXX] · [XXX]..... I was informed that the wait can be up to a year. I am disabled and have been missing pain management appointments, psychiatrist appointments, primary care doctor, and I'm unable to get MRI or pain injections for my back. I am desperate for a loaner car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The engine to my car completely caught on fire and destroyed the engine and inside of my car. All my items in my car were melted and put myself and other people in danger. There were no lights on until that morning where the engine light started flashing and in the span of 10-15 minutes the car was slowing down. Parked and turned off the car and the engine started smoking and caught on fire. Police department and fire department were called.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wet belt and the oil pump had failed and needed to be replaced. An attorney advised the contact to call the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
I've had the same recall fixed on this car three times and once again on XXX myself and my husband were in the car driving and the wrench light and engine light came on and my car went into limp mode it wouldn't go above like 35mph I actually caught this on video and my husband was trying to make a u turn in a parking lot to come back home and the motor lost all power,no braking power or steering which caused us to hit a pole and this time caused whiplash on my husband and four fractured vertabre in my back,I've been reporting to ford and threw this service after the third oil pump tensor belt fix that the motor was still loosing power out of no where and ford has refused to help me and now this same recall has caused an actual crash this time and I've got major injuries this time,ford needs held accountable for this,I've had my car at [XXX],only six months after buying the car and they told me it was the purge valve and made me wait for over two months for the part and they finally got the part in and two minutes later I hit the freeway as soon as my husband got up to around 65 the motor lost power and we almost got hit by a semi for the second time due to this recall and I got ahold of fords complaint department and they finally helped me get my car into [XXX] and my car was there for five months straight waiting on the parts for the oil pump tensor belt recall after buckeye fixed the car it ran for a couple of months and then the car did the same thing again on the freeway the motor lost power again on the freeway myself my husband and our boy have almost gotten killed several times due to this car shutting down with no warning at all,then my car was fixed again in November of 2025 at [XXX] and they had to replace the same part again,and as soon as I got my car back it has been acting funny and then I've reported this to ford over and over and they literally refuse to do anything about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
after my oil pump recall was done, the check engine light came on and is reading code P04DB.
Kept like revving the engine like it was whining tight never show no check engine light nothing ever showed up was driving down the road and the car completely shut off no warning signs no nothing all was coming out of it like a oil pump or something had went out in the car.
My vehicles service engine light has been on for over a year now. I have contacted the service department and Ford Dealership. I was told that it was covered under Ford and I would not be charged. I have called the Ford Customer Service Department about my vehicle, but nothing seems to be correct. I am making a car payment, but I am not getting service down on my vehicle especially when it's not my fault, I have these issues. I thought better of Ford. Every time I get gas in my vehicle it will not start, it's so frustrating and embarring I still have a warranty on my Ford, I am completely disgusted I literally sit there and repeat 3 times, and it finally starts, I have done everything it says to do I even replaced a purge valve, and my light comes back on. Also, when I am driving my car acts like its losing power. So now they are staying I may have a small gas leak and for me to have them put my car on a Smoke Machine. I just want my car fixed so I will feel safe driving I am even afraid to drive to [XXX] to see my daughter my car is a 2021. Also, I have either 2 recalls or 3 recalls, and I have an issue with my powertrain: Action Recommended. warning light. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, smoke was observed coming from the rear of the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a tune-up. The contact later received a notification through the mobile application indicating that the engine had multiple misfires. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred after a recall-related engine replacement had previously been completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied the contact's request for a buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter, a cracked flex pipe, exhaust clamps, turbo connection, and a vacuum pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was then informed of an unknown recall. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the following day while driving the vehicle, the check engine warning light was flashing, and the low oil pressure message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was determined that the engine long block and the turbo needed to be replaced, and coolant needed to be added to the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was repaired, but after a while, the A/C became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the A/C was unplugged, the wires were stuck in the clutch pulley, the amp micro fuse, the wiring, and amp fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,028.
Related recalls
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
Questions about the Ford Ecosport check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Ford Ecosport?
Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, engine stalls while driving and sudden loss of power, and the codes they mention most are P0496, P1299 and P04DB.
Which Ford Ecosport years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (142 complaints), 2019 (104 complaints) and 2020 (74 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Ford Ecosport?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,300 (median of 37 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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