YearToAvoid

2018 Ford Ecosport Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 Ecosport years

The 2018 Ford Ecosport ranks worst among 5 model years, with 726 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any Ecosport year. Engine problems dominate at 89% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 66,500 miles, and two recalls cover engine oil pump belt failure and brake fluid cap labeling.

Complaints
726
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
18 / 2
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26.5
25 city / 29 hwy

Top 2018 Ford Ecosport problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine645 (89%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain67 (9%)
  3. Other61 (8%)
  4. Fuel System44 (6%)
  5. Electrical System37 (5%)
  6. Brakes34 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (2%)
  8. Airbags10 (1%)
  9. Structure & Body5 (1%)
  10. Steering4 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine auto shutoff/restart feature malfunctioning, sometimes stalling the vehicle mid-drive or at a stop and leading to a crash.
  • Some drivers describe brake pedals sinking to the floor with no stopping power, resulting in collisions with poles, curbs, or trees.
  • Several owners report the check engine light coming on followed shortly by an engine compartment fire, in one case after recent coil and spark plug work.
  • One owner reported low oil pressure warning light activating minutes before the engine caught fire.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side or front-angle collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
  • A parked vehicle was reported to have rolled down a hill and struck a tree, later linked by the owner to the engine and power brake failure recall.
2018 Ford Ecosport complaints: complaints filed per quarter1452018 Q32019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
924 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (145).

2018 Ford Ecosport recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V905000Dec 22, 2023Engine139,730 vehicles

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 18V312000May 14, 2018Brakes273 vehicles

    Service brakes

    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."

    Risk: 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.

2018 Ford Ecosport fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Ecosport years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020182019202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid100726226.5
2019Caution50460226.5
2020Avoid75398326.5

All Ford Ecosport years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ford Ecosport reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Ecosport is the worst-ranked year among 5 model years, with 726 complaints and a complaint index of 100. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Ecosport years.
What is the main problem with the 2018 Ford Ecosport?
Engine issues dominate, making up 89% of complaints (645 of 726), with a median failure mileage of 66,500 miles. Brakes and transmission are secondary problem areas.
Does the 2018 Ford Ecosport have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for an oil pump drive belt or tensioner that can fail and cause loss of engine oil pressure, and one for a mislabeled European brake fluid reservoir cap.
Which Ford Ecosport year is better than 2018?
The 2022 model year has a complaint index of 0 and a Best verdict, while 2021 has an index of 25 and a Good verdict, both far lower than the 2018 index of 100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.