2018 Ford EcoSport · symptom sheet

Loses power when accelerating

27owner reports
75,048median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 21, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

676 of the 726 complaints on this car are about the engine and engine cooling. 27 of those describe loses power accelerating.

Tick what matches of 27 reports

it will not accelerate when I press the gas

it goes into limp mode

it happens going uphill or merging

the check engine light comes on with it

it happened more than once

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the turbo (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine and engine cooling 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 and engine cooling 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.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 59,000 and 85,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.

122

823

924

625

326

What owners wrote

No report on this problem is short enough to quote in full.

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 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.