2018 Ford EcoSport Reliability
The 2018 Ford EcoSport has 728 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby EcoSport model years (2018–2020), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the EcoSport's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
728
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
18
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2018 Ford EcoSport complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 model year, filed between 2018 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 357 | 49% |
| Engine & cooling | 311 | 43% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 67 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 61 | 8% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 40 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 35 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 5% |
| Speed control / throttle | 19 | 3% |
2018 Ford EcoSport recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2018 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V312000 | May 14, 2018 | Equipment — other / labels | 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.… |
| 23V905000 | Dec 22, 2023 | 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. |
How the 2018 compares with nearby EcoSport years
Verdicts compare these EcoSport model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 (this page) | 728 | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2019 | 464 | 2 | Engine & cooling | Caution |
| 2020 | 402 | 3 | Engine & cooling | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2018 Ford EcoSport
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2018 Ford EcoSport can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2018 Ford EcoSport reliability FAQ
Is the 2018 Ford EcoSport reliable?
The 2018 Ford EcoSport has 728 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby EcoSport model years (2018–2020), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the EcoSport's typical year.
What are the most common 2018 Ford EcoSport problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Ford EcoSport are engine (357), engine & cooling (311), powertrain / transmission (67), unknown or other (61). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2018 Ford EcoSport have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford EcoSport, including 18V312000 (equipment — other / labels) and 23V905000 (engine & cooling — engine / oil/lubrication / pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2018 Ford EcoSport compare with the 2017 and 2019 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2019 has 464 complaints and 2 recalls (caution). The 2018 has 728 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2018 Ford EcoSport?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford EcoSport research
Other Ford EcoSport model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2018 EcoSport, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.