2018 Ford EcoSport transmission and drivetrain problems
68 of the 726 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford EcoSport name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 10 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 68 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 6
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
726 complaints in all about the 2018 Ford EcoSport, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford EcoSport transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Vehicle began making strange noise and losing power while driving, thankfully a few feet from daughter’s home. Made it to driveway, made loud noise and lost all power and control of vehicle. My vehicle had recently been serviced and there were no warnings that this would happen.
Failed oil pump. Driving on highway when engine oil pressure light comes on and car starts misfiring and no acceleration. Car drives completely 5 minutes after
Brakes were squeaking when I brought vehicle off lot initially. Santa Monica Ford Lincoln Dealership notified me it is likely "dust on the tires, and would wear off in time." It never did. Later, vehicle was stalling in middle of intersections. Starter was replaced. Vehicle began lagging again to restart after idle at lights.
Car started making a loud knocking noise and the check engine light came on. We had it towed to a mechanic and was told the oil pump belt was bad and caused the engine to go bad. We had to pay for a new engine and new oil pump belt. We were told that if this would have went out when he was on the freeway the car would have just stopped
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled down the hill and backed into a tree. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally lost by the insurance company.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications10 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 52314 Service bulletinMar 1, 2024
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manua
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
U0198 P0014 P0016 P0017 P0011 P0012 P0015 P0018
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Ford EcoSport names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ford EcoSport
Source: the same files- engine problems 669 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Ford EcoSport?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 68 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 10 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2018 Ford EcoSport?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 2 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2018 Ford EcoSport?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.