What 719 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Ecosport

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The braking system failed, preventing the vehicle from stopping properly. The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the brakes failed, I was unable to stop at a traffic light. The vehicle entered oncoming traffic and was involved in a collision, placing my safety and the safety of other motorists at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. I previously took the vehicle to the dealership several times for misfire and powertrain-related issues. The dealership was unable to identify the underlying problem and advised that the spark plugs were not tightened properly. Similar issues have occurred multiple times over the past few years. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is awaiting inspection by the insurance company. Additional inspections may be conducted as part of the claim investigation. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. Warning lights appeared earlier this week, and I brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis. The dealership was unable to determine the cause of the warnings. I picked up the vehicle on June 11, 2026. On June 12, 2026, the brakes failed, resulting in the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11743832

While driving toward the freeway on January 16, 2026, I pressed my brakes and the vehicle failed to slow or stop. Instead, the vehicle accelerated. I reacted quickly to avoid a head-on collision but was involved in a crash. When pressing on my brakes there were audible sounds from from my hood. As if my car wanted to stop but wouldn’t. My engine previously failed for the same reason. When the second and third decal came out I called my local dealership. After my last oil change my car began to show show signs of concern. I emails and called the dealership, I brought my car in however they had no one to work on my car and wouldn’t offer a rental. Told me as long as my car is drivable I’ll be fine. This vehicle has an open recall related to engine/performance defects. History includes: Complete engine failure in 2024 (vehicle retained for two months). Recurring symptoms reported to dealership. Check engine light illuminated; dealership advised vehicle was safe to drive. Vehicle retained again without repair completion. No technician availability; recall repair not completed before crash. I relied on dealership assurances that the vehicle was safe. This defect creates a serious risk of unintended acceleration and loss of braking control. I am concerned other drivers may face similar danger. I am requesting investigation into recall effectiveness and manufacturer handling of repair delays.

NHTSA ODI 11719250

The contact owns a 2018 Ford EcoSport. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal fractured, causing her right foot to go through the pedal. The contact sustained whiplash, and cuts and bruises on the right foot. The other driver did not sustain injuries. The contact was able to continue driving. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak, but the source of the leak could not be determined. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), which she related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581086

In June 2023 I got into a rear end accident with another vehicle. On my way to work. It was an accident where my brakes failed to stop my car. It was the weirdest accident, because I actually saw myself going into the back of the car in front of me but it was like my car failed to stop. I told Geico that my foot went through the break. And I have pictures of where my break pedal, broken half. The dealership had my car for close to two months and they never fixed it. They ignored my calls. I ended up going to the dealership and picking up my car. They gave excuse after excuse, and they never returned my calls. I took it to a local place to have my car fixed. The brake pedal is still half of what it used to be. I have an engine leak and when I saw the email about the recall on Ford Ecosports for brake problems and engine leaks, I knew that this was the exact issues with my car and issues that my dealership was trying to avoid

NHTSA ODI 11575833

I was just parking my car in a spot in my parking lot in front of my apartment. All of a sudden my car took at a fast speed. I could not stop it. I went over two curbs and hit a tree. Finally it stopped. Now it may be totalled. I looked up the recall of this car, and it said my car has a problem that could cause the engine and power brakes to fail while driving. My insurance company thinks it is my fault, but I think this proves differently. Please advise. I never got a notice about this recall. I could have been killed if my car hit the tree head on. thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11572566

WENT THROUGH CAR WASH HEADING TO VACCUM AREA. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. HIT POLE CAUSING $3110 IN DAMAGE TO MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11402746

I AM TRYING TO ADD INFORMATION TO COMPLAINT #11175903. WHEN I MADE THE COMPLAINT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SINCE THEN THE OTHER DRIVER PARTY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL UNKNOWN ON INJURIES CAN I ADD THIS TO MY COMPLAINT

NHTSA ODI 11176441

I HAVE 2018 FORD ECOSPORT AND THE AUTO SHUTOFF/RESTART WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT SHUT OFF AND DIDN'T START AGAIN IT HAD STALLED THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING IT STALLED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY ON A RAMP AND I COULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR CAR LENGTHS AHEAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY CAR HAS SEVERE DAMAGE. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY

NHTSA ODI 11175903