What 719 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Ecosport

-Oil pump failed causing complete engine and turbo failure. It can be inspected. - I was driving at interstate speed in traffic on the interstate and the engine lost power. - Independent service center looked at it and suspected oil pump as issue and sent it to ford dealer and they confirmed oil pump failed and caused total engine and turbo failure. - Ford Dealer has inspected - after the failure occurred, the low oil pressure light came on. after adding oil and restarting the engine, the light remained on.

NHTSA ODI 11551068

I own the 2018 Ford Ecosport 1.0 lt. engine with Ecoboost engine I was 100 miles from home on a business trip when the low oil pressure warning came on with chimes alerting me about the low oil pressure. The notice and chimes remained until I stopped. I've never seen this warning before and nor have I had any problems whatsoever in the 3 years I've owned it. While waiting for a tow back to my home, I looked up some info and found that Ford knew about the oil pressure/oil pump problems and chose to do nothing about it. Luckily I was able to pull over fairly quickly but if I hadn't been able to, I was on a very busy freeway and a mountain pass that could have resulted in a much worse situation like some of the other reports of this issue in their Ecosport. Once home, I had it serviced by a AAA endorsed automotive shop and they determined that the oil pump failed causing the low oil pressure and is basically not replaceable. My engine and my vehicle are totaled. You would only be able to replace the faulty oil pump with the same pump since this is what they use in this vehicle. It's just wrong that Ford knew about this and continues to sell this vehicle. I also can't afford another car. I'd just paid this one off and I loved it. They should pay me for my loss.

NHTSA ODI 11550745

In late August 2023 my wife and I were driving her 2018 Ford Ecosport SE down one of our local highways at approximately 70mph. Without any warning the low engine oil pressure light came on and the car alerted to low oil pressure. The vehicle suddenly slowed down and would not travel any faster than 20mph in an instant. I was able to pull safely to a side road about .5 miles from where it initially happened. It was a very hot August day and my 18 month old was in the back of the vehicle. When I parked the vehicle it shut off and never turned on again. We waited for upwards of 2 hours on a tow truck while thankfully we were able to get our child into a cool car after about 45 minutes of waiting for someone to get to us. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership where we bought the car new in 2019. The vehicle at the time of incident had just over 70,000 miles. Upon diagnosis Ford stated there was some type of failure that the suggested repair would be a long block assembly 6006 and turbocharger. This service would cost $7,464.61 but they could not do it because the replacement engine is on backorder with no estimated time of when one would be available. We have since had to have the vehicle towed several times back to our place where it sits just waiting to decide what to do with it and have been forced to purchase a new vehicle since. I have noticed after this happening that I am not the only one that has experienced this problem and that it is a known issue and has been for years. One of the remarks I received from a Ford employee is "you should not have bought a throw away car".

NHTSA ODI 11550816

Oil pressure failure on highway. Loss of speed and power.

NHTSA ODI 11550846

In August 2023 we were driving our 2018 Ford Ecosport (with a little over only 45,000 miles) in town and the check engine light came on following the check oil light. We instantly headed to a mechanic and paid for a diagnostic. The mechanic told us that there were metal shavings in the oil and the remedy is to have an engine replacement. We drove back home. The following day, we headed to the local Ford dealership to see what we could do to get it fixed and file a complaint with them. On our way there, we were in a 50mph zone and we the power of the vehicle lessened a lot (from 50mph to 10-15mph and the RPM was 4,000 on a two lane road (we were on an overpass where we could not even pull over and we had 3 autistic children in the back seat. Midway across the overpass, We lost power completely. The engine was gone. We BARELY coasted off of the overpass, to where we had to run a Yield traffic sign and almost collided with another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11550873

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that while driving at 3 MPH, the vehicle independently stopped. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine oil pump drive belt. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,745.

NHTSA ODI 11550889

The low engine oil pressure light came on and within seconds the entire car lost acceleration. This car only has 54,000 miles on it and has always had regular maintenance. Ford made a lemon engine and is refusing to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11550922

Vehicle began making strange noise and losing power while driving, thankfully a few feet from daughter’s home. Made it to driveway, made loud noise and lost all power and control of vehicle. My vehicle had recently been serviced and there were no warnings that this would happen. No lights came on to indicate that there was about to be a problem. I had just left a major hwy (441) where speeds average 70 mph and there are a lot of log trucks and transit vehicles. Ford agreed to pay a portion of the repair but it took 3 months and my vehicle isn’t the same since picking it up Friday 10/13:23. I feel I paid a lot of money to replace an engine that was nowhere near the end of its mechanical lifespan. I had to refinance my car in order to do loan for the repair which caused me a loan fee and will result in more interest. It is my understanding that a service bulletin was issued on this problem but Ford took no effort to warn us of the danger or repair ahead of time before it cost us thousands of dollars.

NHTSA ODI 11550543

On October 11th my wife’s EcoSport showed a check engine light, so we started to head towards David McDavid’s service. En route, the oil pressure light came on and the car died in the middle of the road right as schools were getting out. A White Settlement Police Officer kindly helped me push the car out of the middle of the road and it was towed to David McDavid Ford. The dealership confirmed that the engine had died as a result of failed oil pressure. We take care of our cars (spending about $1200 annually per vehicle) and for this to happen on a 2018 vehicle is greatly concerning.

NHTSA ODI 11550581

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop light, the light turned green and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550391

I was driving to Temecula and hot a notification on my dash that said ‘Engine Oil Pressure Low’. I was worried so I found an oil change place close by and pulled off the freeway, but then I noticed the car wasn’t accelerating, my foot was flat down on the accelerator and it was crawling along the road. SO I pulled over to the side and that was it, it wouldn’t go on again. All of the accessories still worked, but it absolutely wouldn’t turn on. It was towed to a local repair shop. I was told the engine had 'seized' and needed to be replaced. I've only done 42k miles and bought it 2nd hand 2 years ago. I've only done 10k miles since then, surely at 42k miles the engine shouldn't need to be replaced. Ford said their warranty only goes to 5 years so there's nothing they can do to help.

NHTSA ODI 11550094

Failed oil pump. Driving on highway when engine oil pressure light comes on and car starts misfiring and no acceleration. Car drives completely 5 minutes after.

NHTSA ODI 11549874

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 ODI 11549880

Oil pump failure. Not available for inspection due to a new engine was installed at a cost of $5,278.74. This incident happened on a very busy road in extremely heavy traffic. Oil pump failure was confirmed by an independent service center. Component has been inspected by independent service center. No warning lights came on before failure.

NHTSA ODI 11549066

I was driving suddenly car lost power made a sound stopped and turned off Put car on park and when I tried to start car wouldn’t start.

NHTSA ODI 11548773

While driving from Texas to Florida engine warning lights came on. We pulled over and the car died. Had it towed to Ford dealership and was told the oil pump tensioner broke and engine needed to be replaced for $5000. This also added 2 extra days to the trip, charges for a rental, and the cost of having the car shipped after it was repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11548506

I was driving on the highway and my oil light came on and it said 'oil pressure low'. I pulled over because the car would not go above 20 mph and the engine was making sputtering noises. Very scary! I had it towed to the dealership who said the oil pump failed and the belt. This was one MONTH after my warranty expired. They quoted me $4,000 as a fix but also said it was not guaranteed it wouldn't happen again. I argued with Ford who agreed to pay some of it. I am very mad that a car I've only had for two years completely died and had no fix. Also very dangerous for a car to completely die while on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11547953

In January 2020 we suffered our 1st engune failure at 30k miles and it was replaced under warranty due to oil pump failure which resulted in a sudden failure at 75mph. My wife panicked when it happened and almost took oput the cars around when the car suddenly dropped to approx 30mph on the highway. Although the oil light came on and the sounder went off it happened so fast there was no time to react. The repair took approx 2 months to complete. In July of 2023 we suffered a 2nd engine failure at 67K miles. The oile light came on while traveling at 55mph and within seconds the car dropped to 30mph and failed. Wewere told by our dealer it would cost 10K to repair and not under warranty which was unacceptable. This resulted in my still owing my bank $7000 on a dead car. We were required to purchase a new car and the Ecosport sits in my driveway and we are still paying on it.

NHTSA ODI 11547684

Vehicle lost power on the highway. Low oil, pressure light came on check engine light came on car has a very loud knocking. Noise was told from fire stone that this car is known for an oil tension pulley to snap in the engine and cause the engine to need to be replaced. Only 40k miles

NHTSA ODI 11547741

Driving home from vacation when suddenly lost engine power and service engine light came on. Made it to shoulder and had car towed to dealer. After months waiting for warranty repair, was told that the oil pump pulley tensioner failed damaging oil pump. Was told due to low engine numbers from pandemic that Ford had them completely tear down the engine to make sure there was or was not damage and decide if they would replace it due to metal making it into oil pan from the damage. Ended up being ok they said so they replaces the oil pump, belt and assembly and the turbo charger. Did not think anything of it until I saw the article about investigation being opened for this exact reason.

NHTSA ODI 11547762

Driving at highway speed when the check engine light came on and it went into « limp mode » slowing down to 30 mph. Was towed to the dealership. The tensioner belt timing belt oil pump and turbo charger all needed to be replaced. Total cost was around $7,000. Car had 67,292 miles, the warranty is 60,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11547891

2018 Ford Ecosport with 57k miles - no issues or sounds from the engine up until day of engine failure. On 9/26/23, the low oil pressure light came on while driving. Immediately took to a shop for an oil change (even though just had one 1k miles before) thinking oil was the problem. Then 30 minutes later the entire car seized up and the check engine light came on. Was not able to turn engine and had the car towed. The engine is completely destroyed and matches other complaints exactly about the faulty oil pump then causing issues with belt and ultimately the engine. Looking for any help to move this forward to protect other Ecosport drivers. I did everything correctly, constant 3k mile oil changes, no accidents - and this happened after less then 60k miles. Because over 4 months since powertrain warranty expired - Ford is refusing to help.

NHTSA ODI 11547428

At 60500 miles the engine oil pressor stops and engine went into limp mode while in traffic. This caused the engine to blow and required a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11547158

Oil pump caused engine failure. Quote from Ford dealer for engine replacement was $6,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546791

I came on the on ramp of the interstate, gained speed up to 65 and began passing a slower vehicle, with another vehicle behind me passing them also. Suddenly my speed slowed, my oil light illuminated and digitally said LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING. I barely made it into the breakdown lane as my vehicle lost all power and the steering wheel seemed to lose power steering also. I had no prior warning of this at all. My mechanic said the engine will have to be replaced due to a broken engine oil pump tensioner belt. There are bits of metal in the engine now so it is unusable. I cannot afford a new motor so the vehicle is sitting on my property currently, since I have 3 more years of payments to make. I have called Ford and was told my VIN number is not included in the current recalls for this issue, even though this is the exact same year and issue I have experienced. My 5 year warranty ended on July 30 2023, and this occurred on September 3 2023, 34 days out of warranty, with 57,365 miles on it. I did cite SSM48093 and SSM49726 which I read to Ford but they will do nothing to issue any sort of recall. I was stuck on the interstate for over 6 hours on a busy Labor Day weekend with the back end of my vehicle within a foot of the white line, every large vehicle coming by would shake the car. It was 94 degrees out, and the vehicle wouldn't run so there was no place to go to get out of the sun or get cooler, and no drink or food for that matter either. I'm so disappointed in Ford for not standing behind their product, now I have seen their are hundreds of people this has happened to also, without a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11546852