Ford EcoSport 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Ford EcoSport 2018 and 727 complaints filed by owners. It's the model year with the most complaints for the Ford EcoSport between 2018 and 2022.
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Ford EcoSport 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Ford EcoSport 2018
Engine and cooling
NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · 2023-12-22
What happens
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.
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 18V312000 · 2018-05-14
What happens
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."
Consequence
Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
727 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
18 with a crash · 2 with a fire · 10 injuries
Most reported problems on the Ford EcoSport 2018
- Engine: 356 (49% of complaints)
- Engine and cooling: 310 (43% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 66 (9% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 40 (6% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 35 (5% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Ford EcoSport 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Check coolant level and color, the temperature gauge on the test drive and leaks under the engine.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford EcoSport 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Ford EcoSport 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Ford EcoSport recalls by year
- 2018 : 2 recalls · 727 complaints
- 2019 : 2 recalls · 461 complaints
- 2020 : 3 recalls · 400 complaints
- 2021 : 3 recalls · 261 complaints
- 2022 : 2 recalls · 12 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Ford EcoSport 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Ford EcoSport 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Ford EcoSport 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (356 of 727 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 25, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).