Ford · Ecosport · 2018
2018 Ford Ecosport
2
Recalls
713
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Ford Ecosport has 2 recalls and 713 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (262 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Ford Ecosport page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine and engine cooling with 262 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2018 Ford Ecosport reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- Check the linked investigations for extra ODI context if you want to see whether owner complaints escalated into formal defect review.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Ford Ecosport currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 713 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows 1 NHTSA investigation linked to this page.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine and engine cooling (262), engine (207), power train,engine (25).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Ford Ecosport
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 713
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
20.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V905000December 22, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V312000May 14, 2018
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Investigations
1 totalPEClosed
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 NHTSA.gov.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMPOpened: Sep 20, 2023Closed: Feb 14, 2024Related recall: 23V905
Owner Complaints
713 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 23, 2026
Shifting into and out of first gear causing the front end to slam down almost sending my daughter and myself threw the windshield. It clunks and slams into gears causing the car to buck, shaking when trying to start moving.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 19, 2026
I was at stop light went to take my foot off brake to go when light was green car shut completely off. I quickly put hazard lights on then put car in park to restart car. Lucky car didn’t rear in me. Safety recall •Vehicle shuts off in traffic •Unsafe to drive •Loss of wages •No ...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 7, 2026
My Ford EcoSport had safety recall 23S64 performed at Diamond Ford in Lancaster, California. The recall involved the oil pump drive belt system. After the recall repair was completed, the vehicle began displaying a low oil pressure warning and the engine started shaking. These s...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Mar 3, 2026
2018 eco sport , 1 L engine . Bought this car 2 years ago(April 2024) used (58xxx) miles from Corwin Honda in Fargo nd and test drove and asked about the car . Asked if safe for my family , recalls ,history ..they said no issues ,recalls or crashes . All were untrue we are just...
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FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 20, 2026
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 ...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Feb 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet availa...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 3, 2026
The affected systems are the engine and powertrain. After completion of Safety Recall 23S64 (NHTSA #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 tr...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jan 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact had not experienced a failure before the recall repair; however, the contact experienced failures after the recall repair. The contact s...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Jan 17, 2026
Vehicle has an open safety recall with no repair available. I have been waiting over two years for parts with no ETA from the manufacturer or dealership. During this time, the vehicle has experienced loss of power while driving, creating a safety risk. The dealership has acknowle...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Jan 16, 2026
I received the recall Notice 23S64/NHTSA23V905 from the dealership where I purchased my Ford Ecosport in August 2025. I called the dealership to schedule the repair on August 28, 2025. I spoke with Brandon from the service dept. He told me that they would need the car for two wee...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 713 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
Quick Compare
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Ecosport have?
The 2018 Ford Ecosport has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
NHTSA has received 713 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford Ecosport.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
The 2018 Ford Ecosport received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Ford Ecosport are engine and engine cooling (262 reports), engine (207 reports), power train,engine (25 reports).
Does the 2018 Ford Ecosport have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2018 Ford Ecosport. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.