2018 Ford Ecosport Driver assistance Problems

My vehicle experiences a loss of power while driving. The vehicle will unexpectedly lose acceleration and power during normal driving conditions, including when merging or driving in traffic. This creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle does not respond properly when attempting to accelerate. The issue occurs intermittently but repeatedly and makes it difficult and unsafe to drive, especially at higher speeds or in traffic situations. Ford has declined financial assistance for repair due to mileage and vehicle age, and no resolution has been provided. This issue creates a safety risk while operating the vehicle, as it may suddenly lose power without warning in traffic.

NHTSA ID

11734254

Incident

Mar 12, 2025

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 finding out . I was driving imin the dark and suddenly,no warning etc my car says low engine oil pressure . I had kids in the car, on the highway (80mph) when my car suddenly stops at not exactly a slow decline . It is dark , it’s a long high way. Luckily we made it home . But now the dealership I hit it from and Luther family ford of Fargo nd do NOT WANT TO TOUCH MY CAR. Ford company said they have reached out to Luther to tell them to tow my car and inspect etc but Luther ford keeps hanging up in them . We owe 12k still on this car and insurance. We can’t not drive it, I have to uber and use DoorDash . My hubby goes out of town for work and I work night shift so we can not use his beater of a work car. We also scheduled roadside assistance today for 330pm and THEY DID NOT COME TO GET THE CAR. I rescheduled again for the am and hopefully so but I feel they black listed my vin or any recalls with this car. It is unsafe to drive , their is no replacements thought they keep promising year after year I have read . It’s is stressful, it is unsafe and it is wrong to leave ppl hanging when I am doing all I can on my part . We can’t not afford a car payment on a broken car that is dangerous and doesn’t drive . Where is our rights? Who cares about my safety? MY KIDS SAFETY? That night on the highway ? Thankfully a lady in a truck helped us get home . This is so cruel

NHTSA ID

11723753

Incident

Mar 3, 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 acknowledged the recall but cannot complete the repair due to parts unavailability. The vehicle remains unsafe to operate, and the manufacturer has not provided a timely remedy.

NHTSA ID

11713053

Incident

Jan 17, 2026

During a trip out of town, the vehicle suffered a complete engine and mechanical breakdown on a busy highway, becoming inoperable and posing a serious safety hazard. The vehicle had been routinely serviced and received an oil change two days prior to the incident. On the same day, another service company reviewed the oil system and confirmed the concern. The vehicle has been in the possession of Jim Hudson Ford in Lexington, SC since October 25, 2025 and remains unrepaired. Ford has confirmed that only ten (10) parts are currently on order nationwide and that no loaners will be available until February 2026. The dealership reported that another EcoSport affected by the same recall has been on their lot since July with no repair parts available. We live approximately 68 miles away and have no transportation. The registered owner is a disabled individual with a pacemaker, creating an extreme hardship due to limited financial flexibility and dependence on disability income. We have repeatedly requested permission to pick up a loaner vehicle from another Ford dealership closer to home or to receive a third-party rental (Enterprise, Avis, etc.) at Ford’s expense, consistent with public recall guidance. Ford has refused all such accommodations and has declined to confirm that the delay is due to back-ordered parts.

NHTSA ID

11698739

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2018 Ford EcoSport, which is affected by Recall 23S64 related to a serious engine defect. I am currently making payments on this vehicle, yet it continues to be unsafe and unreliable, with repeated engine issues that have not been resolved despite temporary repairs. I purchased the car in May 2024 from a dealership. Within two hours of driving it off the lot, the car began to shake, and the check engine light started flashing. It could not accelerate properly or keep up with traffic, and I had to return it for repairs, where it stayed for approximately two weeks. More recently, while driving two hours away from home, I experienced another severe incident. The car again began to shake, and multiple warning lights appeared on the dash: the check engine light, engine oil pressure light, and the "See Manual" warning. Once again, the vehicle was unable to accelerate safely, putting me and others on the road at serious risk. I was told this was connected to Recall 23S64, and an interim engine replacement was performed. However, even after this, I am still experiencing ongoing engine issues, including shaking, poor acceleration, and a flashing check engine light. This recall has been open since December 2023, and Ford initially stated that remedy parts would be available by the end of Q1 2025. It is now late April 2025, and there are still no parts available and no updated timeline. I have reached out to Ford and the dealership multiple times, and both have refused to offer a buyback or permanent solution, even though I have explicitly stated that I no longer feel safe in the vehicle. I fear that Ford is waiting for someone to be seriously injured before taking meaningful action. Meanwhile, I am stuck making monthly payments on a car that I cannot rely on and do not feel safe driving. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter and pressure Ford to take responsibility.

NHTSA ID

11656283

Incident

May 18, 2024

My vehicle was identified as part of the safety recall in 2023. In 2024 my car started struggling and the low engine oil pressure warning started showing on my dash. The check engine light and service soon indicator lights started showing on the dash as well. The car was just past 71,000mi. When I purchased the car it was at about 60,000mi. Since the issues seemed related to the recall I went to a Ford dealer. My car was checked with the dealer and I was given a loaner vehicle. I was told that my car’s engine needed to be replaced. I drove a loaner car from September 2024 to April 2025 as my car waited for an engine to be sent to my dealer. Once the engine was replaced I was told that I also would have to purchase a battery since my car hadn’t been driven for so long. I now have my car returned to me but I am nervous to drive it with the same recall issue still outstanding. Parts for the recall remedy were announced to be available by the end of the first quarter of 2025 but they are not. There is also not any updates to when parts will be available.

NHTSA ID

11655551

Incident

Sep 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The message that there was “No Oil Pressure” was displayed. The vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted but failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact pulled over safely. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. After the engine replacement, the mechanic informed the contact that there was engine oil leaking onto the ignition coil. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the additional repairs would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was contacted, and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ID

11626766

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Mileage

91,000 mi

Back on February 27, 2024, my car was taken into the dealership due to a malfunction the oil pump gave out and dealership said that due to those issues "shavings were going into the transmission" which could cause further damage to the vehicle in increased risk of an accident. It is not going on to 5 months and nothing has been done I get calls that since it has been park for so long the vehicle is not getting more issues. At this point it has been one thing or another I had contacted Ford for assistance spoke to Orleis Smith back in May 16 due to lack of progress. Till this day nothing has been resolved the vehicle went in got check and only had the recall issues and now dude to its long stand still more issues have come up the original reason is once again put on the back burner. Due to my single mother status, I have a fixed income and an unable to pay for the recall fix upfront to later get a reimbursement. I would like some assistance since the vehicle is uses for work. Manufacturer Recall Number23S64 NHTSA Recall Number23V905

NHTSA ID

11604035

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The recall on the oil pump has really put a halt in my life. I was driving home when my vehicle cut out. I lost control of the vehicle for a second. Thank goodness I was not on a highway and was able to get it going again to drive home. My dash lit up with all different lights, one being low oil. The vehicle is now sitting at a Ford Dealership where we wait for parts for the EcoSport. This was several months ago. I was told multiple times I could not get a loaner car and that I would have to pay for a loaner if that is what I needed. I ended up going to another dealership and financed another vehicle as my job requires me to travel. I have been in contact with the Ford Support and the Ford dealership and nothing seems to be getting done about it.

NHTSA ID

11593969

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

C/S RADIO/HEAD UNIT NOT WORKING, VEHICLE NEEDS APIM MODULE-per auto service at dealership. The screen is completely black so the backup camera either isn't functioning or it simply can't project onto the screen. Confirmed by dealer It has not been inspected by anyone but the auto dealership The system was off and on for a few days, then went completely out. Started in January, 2024 There was no incident leading to this problem

NHTSA ID

11576184

Incident

Jan 10, 2024

Air duct tube was broken when driving on interstate 94 east. stepping on gas pedal there was a buuuuuuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz noise. Also, the check engine light is always on, a mechanic said that the PCM programming is mis-communicating.

NHTSA ID

11572643

Incident

May 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the low oil pressure message was displayed. The oil and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the drive belt had fractured, causing the engine to seize. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to help with the repairs. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11570232

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

62,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds for several hours, the vehicle lost acceleration. The driver was able to coast off the freeway. The oil warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The computer failed to communicate properly with the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called several unknown local dealers, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 99,300.

NHTSA ID

11566474

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

Mileage

99,300 mi

While driving, a warning came on my dashboard that I was unfamiliar with as it had never come up before. It informed me my oil pressure was low. I called someone familiar with cars and they told me I may need an oil change. As there were no gas stations near where I exited, I continued to my destination another ten minutes from when the warning came on during which my car began making a rattling/grinding sound. Additionally, my became nearly impossible to accelerate and took about 30 seconds longer than it usually would to reach a specific speed. I parked, and when someone arrived with oil for me, we discovered the oil level was not low based on the dip stick nor was it leaking. This is when we began to suspect that the oil pump had failed. Upon further investigation, this seems to be a common issue with my type of car as there is a current investigation through this organization into 2018 Ford EcoSports and oil pump failure. In order to prevent further damage, I had it towed to my local Ford dealer who inspected my car and informed me my car had experienced catastrophic engine failure and it would cost $7,000 to replace. My car only has 58,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11560777

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

I was on the way home from work when out of no where the engine light and a indicator saying low engine oil pressure came on I totally lost power driving on a highway and the car came to a stop. Mechanic told me it was the oil belt tensioner caused the engine failure and now i have to pay 4000 dollars on top of my monthly car and insurance company for a vehicle that just quite on me.

NHTSA ID

11558191

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

On June 30 2023 my 2018 Ford eco sports “oil engine pressure low” light turned on while I was trying to get on the freeway. Only seconds later my car will hardly accelerate, and I was forced to pull over right after merging onto the highway at about 35 mph. Thankfully I did because when I got to the shoulder I noticed the brakes were extremely hard to push down. Even after when I tried to restart my car there was tension on the brake (which I have to press to start the car) I had to wait on the side of the freeway for hours and have my car towed over 50 miles home. Upon 2 different mechanics looking at my car they estimated it to be a $7,000 engine repair due to the timing belt tensioner loosing oil pressure and messing the engine up. I haven’t been able to drive my car since June of 2023 and am still making payments on my loan. Not to mention my car, though bought in 2019, was cared for meticulously and has less than 100,000 miles in it. Ford advised me to simply pay for the damages and keep my receipts in the case of the car getting recalled, they might be able to reimburse me she said. The representative or Ford failed to think about the fact that this is not only a financial issue but a safety one! Thank god my daughter wasn’t with me stranded as well. I’m also lucky it was early in the morning and there wasn’t a lot of traffic when I was nervously trying to get on the freeway at 35 mph to find a safe spot to get parked. I’m not only disappointed in Ford but worried for other people/ family’s driving this time bomb!

NHTSA ID

11549880

Incident

Jun 30, 2023

My 2018 Ford Ecosport odometer goes black when it’s parked in the sun while I’m driving I can’t see my dashboard when it’s cool it’ll turn back on sometimes when it’s not under the sun

NHTSA ID

11482802

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Over 400 power train codes since day that it was purchased. Kept getting run around on issue. Finally was “fixed”. Now a new power train code. Vehicle has reduced power mid drive and has trouble accelerating from a stop. Both issues have almost cause accidents. Car has had several times where vehicle would have a clicking sound when trying to start and has not started at times. Dealership now several months out to repair again.

NHTSA ID

11478716

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY 29 WHEN A WARNING STATED FOR LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE NEAREST CAR REPAIR SHOP, AROUND 2 MILES AWAY. WHEN THEY CHECK THE ENGINE OIL, ENGINE OIL WAS FULL. I WAS TOLD TO BRING TO THE NEAREST FORD SERVICE CENTER, AROUND 30 MILES AWAY. WHILE DRIVING BACK, 2MILES AFTER, MY CAR WAS DECELERATING UNTIL THE ENGINE STALLED. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PARK AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALONG HWY 29 AND HAD MY ECOSPORT TOWED. I WAS LATER TOLD THAT MY ENGINE AND TURBO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. MY CAR JUST TURNED 2YRS OLD IN OCT, 2020.

NHTSA ID

11374693

Incident

Nov 10, 2020

Mileage

60 mi

THE ON/OFF ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY. ONCE THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT A LIGHT AND YOU TAKE OFF THE CAR STARTS JERKING AND THE RPM STARTS RACING. WHEN I'M DRIVING UP AN INCLINE THE CAR STARTED JERKED SO HARD IT FELT LIKE I HIT A BRICK WALL. A WEEK AGO I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO GO THE CAR BARELY MOVED WHILE I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT JERKED THE WHOLE WAY ACROSS, ALL THE OTHER CARS HAD TO WAIT UNTIL I COULD GET OUT THE WAY. I GOT THIS CAR ON 4/15/19 AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. I'M GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE WHAT IT'S DOING IS DANGEROUS. I HOPE FORD LOOKS INTO THIS, FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAUSE IS AND FIX IT. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE GOING FROM A SITTING POSITION TO TAKING OF AND WHEN GOING ON ANY INCLINE. THE JERKING IS LOUD, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HIT SOMETHING AND THE JERK IS VERY HARD. THE CAR ALSO DOESN'T SHUT ON AND OFF AS IT SHOULD. THE CAR STILL JERKS EVEN WITH THE ON/OFF BUTTON TURNED OFF

NHTSA ID

11205589

Incident

May 3, 2019

Mileage

4,000 mi

ON THE HIGHWAY EXCELERATING TO MOVE PAST A SEMI.MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR. IT WAS AT NO FAULT OF A FLOOR MAT. I TRIED TO PULL IT UP, PUSH IT DOWN., USE CRUISE CONTROL NOTHING UN STUCK IT. THIS ALL WITH A CRYING BABY AND 2 TODDLERS IN THE CAR. SURROUNDED BY SEMIS.LUCKILY THE BREAKS WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE RD. AFTER PUTTING ON HAZARDS AND LEAVING MY FOOT ON THE BREAK I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAK PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE PEDAL STAYED STUCK.

NHTSA ID

11121308

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

250 mi

MY 2018 FORD ECOSPORT AUTO SHUTOFF/RESTART FEATURE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR. FORD HAS NOT INSPECTED MY CAR AS OF YET BUT THEY HAVE DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR A LOANER CAR CITING THAT THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT DUE TO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. FURTHERMORE THE PARTS THAT MY MECHANIC NEEDS IN ORDER TO FIX THE CAR ARE ON BACKORDER WITH NO ETA PROVIDED BY FORD. ACCIDENT WAS ON 4/30/18. TODAY IS 7/19/18. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND FORD WILL NOT ASSIST WITH FURTHER INVESTIGATION, NOR WILL THEY PROVIDE NEEDED PARTS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA ID

11112484

Incident

Apr 30, 2018

Mileage

400 mi