NHTSA Complaint #11546270 — 2018 FORD ECOSPORT

On July 14, 2023 at about 1:30 PM Central time, I was driving my 2018 Ford EcoSport on I-435 in the Kansas City metropolitan area when my oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost almost all power. I immediately pulled off the highway and turned off my engine. I turned the engine back on to move further off the highway for my safety. When I restarted the engine, it made loud "clanking" noises. I had the vehicle towed to my local certified mechanic who diagnosed the problem as a "total engine failure", I paid to have a new, Ford Motor Company crate engine installed in the vehicle. Once the new engine was installed, my mechanic found that the turbocharger had also been damaged. I paid to have to have the turbo replaced to return the car to its original operating condition. Please note that on the repair bill, the mechanic erroneously listed my sister and father's name on the invoice, I've also attached a copy of the Missouri vehicle registration listing me as the lawful owner. Of note, the engine I had installed was actually the second one ordered by my mechanic, the local dealer cancelled the original shipment because that engine was also at risk for the same type of catastrophic failure. The second engine ordered was alleged to be an upgraded one that was not subject to the oil pump failure concerns. The shipping dealer would not tell my mechanic what the exact issue was with the Ford 1L I-3 turbo engine. I do have a repair bill for the engine and turbo replacement costs. I contacted Ford Motor Company to ask for compensation to reimburse me for the cost of the engine and turbo replacement, I have not received a reply. On September 12, 2023 I sold the EcoSport to a local dealer as I no longer felt the vehicle was safe to operate. Prior to the engine losing power and the oil warning light illuminating, there were no symptoms of an impending engine failure. In fact, I had the oil changed using OEM parts just a few days prior to the incident.