2018 Ford ECOSPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
726 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 267 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 355 of 726 complaints (48.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 94 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 43 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 355 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 298 |
| Power Train | 66 |
| Unknown Or Other | 61 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 40 |
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Service Brakes | 29 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
Engine: 355; Engine And Engine Cooling: 298; Power Train: 66; Unknown Or Other: 61; Fuel/Propulsion System: 40; Electrical System: 31; Service Brakes: 29; Vehicle Speed Control: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 50 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 100 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 62 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 50; 50,000 to 74,999: 100; 75,000 to 99,999: 62; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (100). 459 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 169 |
| 2024 | 313 |
| 2025 | 131 |
| 2026 | 31 |
2018: 5; 2019: 11; 2020: 9; 2021: 9; 2022: 48; 2023: 169; 2024: 313; 2025: 131; 2026: 31
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 94 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11175903 · 2019-02-09 (February 9, 2019)
I HAVE 2018 FORD ECOSPORT AND THE AUTO SHUTOFF/RESTART WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T START AGAIN IT HAD STALLED THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING IT STALLED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY ON A RAMP AND I COULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR CAR LENGTHS AHEAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY CAR HAS SEVERE DAMAGE. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11337595 · 2020-07-06 (July 6, 2020)
ON THURSDAY JULY 2 2020 MY FORD ECOSPORT STALLED AT A STOP LIGHT. I WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT BY THE LOCAL POLICE. I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I TALKED TO A FORD SERVICE PERSON AND HE SUGGESTED I DISABLE THE AUTO START. I DID AS HE SUGGESTED AND DROVE JUST FINE UNTIL I GOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY. WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLS AND I DROVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH BARELY ANY STEERING AND NO BRAKES AND HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THIS WAS REALLY SCARY AND DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11337595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11183132 · 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
CONTACTED DEALER SALES WITH ATTACHED PHOTO. STATES ALL THE CARS ARE LIKE THIS. THIS IS A MOVABLE STARRING COLUMN JUST BEHIND BRAKE BAD. A LOSE SHOE STRING CAN BE CAUGHT IN HERE DISABLE STEERING. THE FLOOR MAT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THIS AND MY WIFE THOUGH THE STEERING WAS THE ISSUE. IT REALLY IS. A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE COVER IS NEEDED
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268268 · 2019-10-14 (October 14, 2019)
AFTER 3 DEALER ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, BRAKES HAVE VERY LOUD SQUEAL WHEN IN REVERSE. NOISE CAN BE HEARD IN NEIGHBORS' HOMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466930 · 2022-06-01 (June 1, 2022)
2018 FORD ECOSPORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494466 · 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
As with HUNDREDS of other owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport, I have encountered a safety issue with Low Oil Pressure which causes the engine to shut down. There has been a NHTSA Service Bulletin issued but still not recall and this issue is extremely dangerous and absolutely kills the engine. A small recall fix could save lives and save owners from a repair that costs in excess of $5,000. Below is the Service Bulletin but it needs a recall. I've spent all day on the phone with Ford and all they will say is that they have no recall. Below …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297419 · 2020-01-06 (January 6, 2020)
I PURCHASE A NEW 2018 FORD ECOSPORT. ON 12/22/19 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER INSIDE BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. ON 12/23/19 I HAD A FORD DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE BATTERY AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, ON 1/3/20 (11 DAYS LATER) WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ONCE AGAIN THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER BUT NO ENGINE RESPONSE. I HAD TO GET PUSHED OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IN …
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453720 · 2022-02-23 (February 23, 2022)
Vehicle has had numerous electrical issues including loosing power while the vehicle is in motion and at stop lights without any warning. The car shuts off and sometimes can be restarted after it is placed in park and restarted. On other occasions, the vehicle looses all power and must be towed. Per the ford dealership, electrical wiring becomes loose. Additionally, while the vehicle is running strange sensors come on and then go off such as "hill assist not available" or "traction control" deactivated but then turns itself back on. Also, the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470342 · 2022-06-21 (June 21, 2022)
I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden I got low engine fuel oil pressure message on my dashboard. The oil lamp and engine lamp sensors came on. This is the first time it happened. I also heard a rattling noise coming from the inside of the car. I had it checked by my mechanic and he said it could be the the High pressure fuel pump drive unit that needs to be replaced. I have not taken it to the manufacture to get it looked at. This happened to me when I was serving on the interstate with my mother and son and the car left us stranded on…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541291 · 2023-08-28 (August 28, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the contact smelled an oil odor inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000. The contact wa…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11541291 at NHTSA ↗