Owners have reported 18 crashes, 2 fires and 10 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Ecosport. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints301
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues related to engine and engine cooling, with a significant number of complaints linked to recall repairs not being completed due to unavailable parts. Common symptoms include stalling, loss of acceleration, and illuminated warning lights such as "check engine" and "low oil pressure." These issues often arise around 55,000 to 70,000 miles. One reported crash and injury highlight potential safety implications, particularly if the engine stalls while driving. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring problems and the potential for unresolved recall repairs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints229
ENGINE
Owners report frequent engine issues with the 2018 Ford EcoSport, often related to oil pressure problems and engine failure. Symptoms commonly include abnormal noises from the engine, loss of power, elevated RPMs, and illuminated warning lights. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 106,000 miles. Complaints highlight safety risks, including sudden loss of power and control, with one reported crash and one instance involving a fire. Buyers should be aware of ongoing recall efforts related to the engine oil pump belt and tensioner, which are linked to many of these issues.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints60
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Ford Ecosport's powertrain, notably involving timing chain problems and oil pump failures. Common symptoms include loss of power, stalling, engine vibrations, and low oil pressure warnings. Several complaints indicate these issues emerge after recall repairs, with some vehicles experiencing problems as early as 29,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three complaints involving crashes and injuries due to sudden power loss and brake failures. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns and the associated risks, especially regarding the vehicle's history of recalls and unresolved issues.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints45
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues related to engine and structural failures. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling or shutting off unexpectedly, often accompanied by "low engine oil pressure" warnings, and in some cases, complete engine failure. These issues often appear around 30,000 to 70,000 miles. Complaints also highlight delayed recall repairs, with some owners waiting months for parts, leading to significant inconvenience and financial burden. Safety implications are evident, with reports of structural hazards due to missing subframe bolts and a crash linked to engine and emissions issues.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Ford Ecosport's electrical system, particularly involving sudden loss of power, engine stalling, and failure to start. Complaints frequently mention intermittent power loss while driving, often accompanied by warning lights like low oil pressure, affecting vehicles even at highway speeds, and resulting in at least two crashes. Many owners describe problems with the vehicle's display screens going dark or backup cameras malfunctioning, with some incidents occurring around the 50,000 to 60,000-mile range. Safety implications are significant, with reports of vehicles shutting off in traffic and issues with electronic components like ignition coils and sensors failing unpredictably. Buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues and the potential for unresolved recalls impacting vehicle reliability.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several issues with the 2018 Ford Ecosport's brakes, with frequent mentions of brake failure or reduced braking effectiveness. Common symptoms include the brake pedal becoming firm or locking, the pedal going to the floor, and in some cases, the brake pedal fracturing. These issues are often accompanied by engine oil pressure warnings and are reported to occur at mileages ranging from approximately 12,629 to 77,301 miles. Safety implications are significant, as four complaints involve crashes, with two reporting injuries. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring brake issues and the associated risks of loss of control.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, often linked to engine and mechanical failures. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate, and warning lights such as low engine oil pressure and check engine indicators. These issues are typically reported around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, with some owners experiencing complete engine breakdowns and extended vehicle inoperability due to parts shortages. Safety implications are significant, with one crash reported due to a malfunctioning auto shutoff/restart feature and several instances of vehicles becoming inoperable on highways, posing risks to occupants and other road users. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for long repair delays.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Ford EcoSport frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes, with five out of eight complaints involving accidents and three reporting injuries. Common symptoms include airbag warning lights remaining illuminated on the dashboard for extended periods, suggesting potential system malfunctions. Complaints often mention airbags, particularly the steering wheel and curtain airbags, failing to deploy in collisions, even when the vehicle is totaled. These issues are reported in vehicles with mileage around 24,000 to 30,000 miles. The safety implications of non-deploying airbags in crashes are significant, as evidenced by the injuries reported in some cases. This pattern of airbag failures may be a critical consideration for potential buyers evaluating the safety of a used 2018 Ford EcoSport.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport frequently report issues related to the fuel and propulsion system, with common symptoms including the vehicle stalling, struggling to start, or not starting at all after fueling, as well as sudden deceleration while driving. Multiple complaints describe experiencing dashboard warnings for low oil pressure and check engine lights, sometimes accompanied by rattling noises. A few owners mention incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated from highway speeds, leading to potential safety risks such as needing to pull over abruptly on busy roads. Some reports indicate that these issues may involve components like the throttle body or the high-pressure fuel pump drive unit, with repair costs reportedly ranging from $1,500 to $2,000. These complaints suggest that potential buyers should be aware of these recurring problems, especially if the vehicle has not been inspected or repaired for these specific issues.
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport report several steering-related issues, with symptoms including the dashboard going completely black, leading to a temporary loss of power steering and a sudden return that causes the steering wheel to jerk. Another issue involves a movable steering column component that can catch loose items, potentially disabling steering. These problems sometimes occur at stoplights or while driving, indicating potential safety implications such as loss of control. Additionally, some complaints mention interactions with Ford Customer Relations that do not address these safety concerns. Buyers should be aware of these steering issues and consider the potential impact on driving safety.
