Is the 2018 Ford ECOSPORT reliable?

The 2018 Ford ECOSPORT has 961 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford ECOSPORT?

Top problems: ENGINE (664 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (65 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (61 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford ECOSPORT?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford ECOSPORT?

The 2018 Ford ECOSPORT gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Ford ECOSPORT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford ECOSPORT is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Ford ECOSPORT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford ECOSPORT has 961 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 509. The most common issue is engine problems (69% of all complaints), specifically: the engine will randomly shut off when in park mode due the auto-stop start feature not disengaging correctly. ford has not been able to reproduce the problem and doesn't have a solution.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 32 crash reports 19 injuries

961

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

664 complaints

69%

• THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN IN PARK MODE DUE THE AUTO-STOP START FEATURE NOT DISENGAGING CORRECTLY. FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION.
• 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
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 10 crashes

“THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN IN PARK MODE DUE THE AUTO-STOP START FEATURE NOT DISENGAGING CORRECTLY. FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford ECOSPORT

Based on 315 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 65K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

145

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 43K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 19K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 31K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 255 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

128

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 65K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 83K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS14/05/2018

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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Ford ECOSPORT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ford ECOSPORT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford ECOSPORT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2018 ECOSPORT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 961 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN IN PARK MODE DUE THE AUTO-STOP START FEATURE NOT DISENGAGING CORRECTLY. FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASE A NEW 2018 FORD ECOSPORT. ON 12/22/19 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS AUXILIARY POWER INSIDE BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. ON 12/23/19 I HAD A FORD DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE BATTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: SUNROOF SHATTERED. I WENT TO OPEN MY SUNROOF AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT MY INSIDE COVER WAS WET. I LOOKED UP AND SAW THAT THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FROM 7/7-10/2018 IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden I got low engine fuel oil pressure message on my dashboard. The oil lamp and engine lamp sensors came on. This is the first time it happened. I also heard a rattling noise coming from the inside of the car. I had it checked by my mechanic and he said it c
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)