The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 643 of 728 complaints (88%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 728
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$2,500
- Combined MPG
- 25–28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | 2,200–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–28 | 25–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–27 / 29 | 23–27 / 29 | 23–27 / 29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 314–353 | 316–355 | 318–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 728 | 464 | 403 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 7 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 9 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 5 | 26 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford EcoSport have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Ford EcoSport?
Engine: 643 of 728 NHTSA complaints (88%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford EcoSport get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford EcoSport?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 3 | 1.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 27 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 314 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 353 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 643 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 67 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 44 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 34 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 61 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; SERVICE BRAKES
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.