2018 Ford EcoSport · symptom sheet

Engine rattles or ticks

25owner reports
69,000median miles
$1,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Mar 9, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

641 of the 726 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe engine rattle.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

a ticking or tapping at idle

worse on a cold start

a rattle that comes and goes

the check engine light followed

it got worse over weeks

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (6 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.

23V-905Dec 22, 2023

Engine And 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the EcoSport

PE23-015opened Sep 20, 2023

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2018 to 2021

Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.

NHTSA summary

On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners paid

7 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $150 to $6,300.

$150$1,000$6,300

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 58,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

222

723

1124

425

126

What owners wrote

“When driving to work one day my car suddenly started to lose power and then made a knocking/ticking noise from the engine area. I proceeded to try and pull off the road as safely as I could (was in a mild traffic area) the vehicle ended up quitting running as I got off the road and now had a low oil pressure warning on the dash and would not run anymore.”
Filed Jan 22, 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

“I bought my 2018 firs eco sport 3 months ago. Right after my 3rd car payment, the low oil pressure light came on. Took pictures of the dipstick, oil was good! Just had it changed , with receipt, 90% life left. Made it to miles down the road car made a little noise and stalled and would not start. Ford dealer had it Wednesday evening and on Monday they still have not touched my car! 202 complaints on this issues !”
Filed Nov 20, 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. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. 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.