FordEcoSport2018Overview/ford/ecosport/2018/base/

2018 Ford EcoSport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 EcoSport.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV built on Ford’s compact platform, powered by a modest engine that requires 4.5 qt of 5W‑20 oil and is paired with an S6 automatic transmission; it earns EPA ratings of 23 / 29 / 25 mpg in city, highway, and combined respectively. With 719 owner complaints that year—its highest in the 2018‑2022 span—principally focused on engine and engine‑cooling issues, the EcoSport’s early reliability record reflects the challenges of that model year, a trend that has markedly improved through 2022 when complaints dropped to just ten.

Model year2021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight3020 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the EcoSport of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.8–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 2018 SES
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018SES 2.0L I-49.80 sec17.50 sec166 hpAWD
2018SES 2.0L I-49.90 sec17.40 sec166 hpAWD
2018SES 2.0L I-410.00 sec17.40 sec166 hpAWD
2018Titanium EcoBoost 1.0L Turbo I-310.40 sec17.90 sec123 hpFWD
2018Titanium EcoBoost 1.0L Turbo I-310.70 sec17.90 sec123 hpFWD
2018SE 1.0L Turbo I-311.20 sec18.20 sec123 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.8
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0-1.3
Engine Coolant Capacity7.6
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4
Engine Oil5W-20

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188.0
Rear Wheel Hub188.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.028 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.65 lbs
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.90-1.00 lbs
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity4.10 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum85.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)85.0 Low Pressure Side
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum85.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)85.0 Low Pressure Side

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 21; Rear: 15
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 81; Rear: 46
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: NS
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .004; Rear: NS
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 9.060

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Vertical main bolts

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; Jack screws90 degrees
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
289.0 inch lbs.; Side bolts89 in
115.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
212.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 4537 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
113.0 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
245.0 degrees45 degrees
345.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 52 ft. lbs., Step 3: 4418 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
322.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
141 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
241
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
237.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
345.0 degrees45 degrees
445.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
390.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 inch lbs.18 in
297.0 inch lbs.97 in
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
2180.0 inch lbs.180 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 model year represents the peak of reported issues for this generation, with 719 complaints and 94 TSBs—figures that significantly exceed the 451 complaints and 68 TSBs recorded for 2019, and far higher than the steep decline to only 10 complaints and 16 TSBs by 2022. This trajectory positions 2018 as the highest-volume outlier in the dataset, with Engine & Engine Cooling complaints totaling 263 and Engine complaints adding 208, though the federal data does not specify exact root causes for these powertrain concerns. While recall volume remained relatively stable across the generation at two to three campaigns annually, the 2018 model carries the greatest complaint density and technical service bulletin count of the entire production run. Given that subsequent model years demonstrate markedly lower complaint rates as the production line matured, prospective buyers should prioritize 2019 or later over this initial 2018 production.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
94
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
719
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 719 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling263
Engine208
Power Train,Engine25
Unknown Or Other19
Unknown Or Other,Engine19
Engine & Engine Cooling,Engine19
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System14
Power Train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V312000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 14/05/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…

23V905000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:PumpReported 22/12/2023

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 94 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 24-21652024-05-27Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523142024-03-01Power TrainDuring service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…
SAN-Vol1 I12023-06-08EquipmentThe Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific EcoSport. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 EcoSport take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 Meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C945A or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 EcoSport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the EcoSport get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.