2018 Ford EcoSport · symptom sheet

Burns oil or oil level rises

139owner reports
65,000median miles
$5,700median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

650 of the 726 complaints on this car are about the engine. 139 of those describe oil consumption.

Tick what matches of 139 reports

adding oil between changes

oil smells like gas

the oil level rises

low oil light came on

138

the dealer called it normal

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (22 reports), the turbo (13 reports) and the piston rings (12 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

23 of the 139 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $7,500.

$2,000$5,700$7,500

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 53,000 and 76,000 miles, from the 88 reports that gave a mileage.

221

1422

4223

6624

1325

226

What owners wrote

“This model of the Ford Ecosport needs to be recalled due to a faulty engine. My engine had to be replaced at 70k miles because of a design flaw. As I was driving, the car indicated low oil pressure and stopped accelerating. The engine had to be completely replaced.”
Filed Nov 29, 2023 · 70,000 miles

“Vehicle lost power on the highway. Low oil, pressure light came on check engine light came on car has a very loud knocking. Noise was told from fire stone that this car is known for an oil tension pulley to snap in the engine and cause the engine to need to be replaced. Only 40k miles”
Filed Oct 2, 2023 · 40,000 miles

“The oil pump belt tensioner locked up and caused an oil pump failure. The low oil pressure light was the only indication of a problem. I had the car toed to a Ford dealer. The extended warranty paid for most of the repair. I had to pay about $300 out of pocket and was without a vehicle for about three weeks due to having to fight with warranty company.”
Filed Sep 22, 2023

“Oil Pump has failed. Has taken the car to 2 different dealerships and was told the repair would be over $8,000 to repair or replace the engine. Prior to oil pump failure I had no issues in fact I had just gotten an oil change 2 weeks previously. When they check the oil pump the had oil in it however there was no flow to the engine it had low oil pressure.”
Filed Sep 22, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 139 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.