2018 Ford EcoSport · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 124owner reports
- 66,000median miles
- $6,419median quote
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Mar 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
662 of the 726 complaints on this car are about the engine. 124 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 124 reports
Misfire on other EcoSport years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (6 reports), the ignition coils (4 reports), the sensor (4 reports) and the catalytic converter (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
All 2 recalls on the 2018 Ford EcoSport, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the EcoSport
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
What owners paid
14 of the 124 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,084 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,143 and 80,000 miles, from the 82 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Ford EcoSport that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2018-2020 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A7 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be caused by a damaged circuit on the 12A581 harness.
Some 2018-2020 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a reoccurring illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04DB. This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine and an automatic transmission may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) with multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) relating ...
4 more on the 2018 Ford EcoSport page.
What owners wrote
“After fueling, codes P0496 will show and car will not start or struggle to start. Stalling when on freeway and rough idle. My vehicle shut off on the freeway causing me to almost crash and had to stop immediatly. In my investigation, it seems I am not the only one suffering this issue. I am on my 2nd engine replacement from the original recall as well.”
Filed Mar 29, 2026
“the car has check engine light on and low engine oil pressure light on. it is not drivable which means i do not have a car to drive. how do i get to work for a year? taking a year to get it resolved is terrible. they should provide a rental car or solution much faster. it is a safety issue to not have this solved.”
Filed Jul 8, 2024
“Engine failed without ever showing a check engine light or any other warning. One day there was a rattle coming from the engine, so we took the car to the ford dealership. Then they told us that the oil pump failed and that the car needed a new engine.”
Filed Dec 8, 2023
“Driving and oil light came on suddenly pulled over asap then check engine light and battery light came on car quit working. Checked oil and was filled to line on dip stick. Tried restarting engine wouldnât start. Towed to repair shop engine seized up needs new engine.”
Filed Nov 4, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 124 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 192 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 147 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 139 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 43 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 33 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 27 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 25 reports