2010 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 2,129 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 32 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpOct 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
Campaign 16V777000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionMay 24, 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION".
A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 AND FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED CALL 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). REPRESENTATIVES ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: 8:00AM - 5:00PM.
Campaign 10V222000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
513 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 31, 2011
DRIVING OFF ROAD UP A STEEP INCLINE (40-45 DEGREES), THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THERE WASN'T ANY POWER GOING TO THE TIRES EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE RPM WOULD ONLY REV UP TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE AS THERE WAS NO POWER BEING DELIVERED TO THE TIRES. THE TIRES DID NOT LOOSE TRACTION OR SPIN EITHER. WHAT WAS ESPECIALLY UNSAFE ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BACKING DOWN THE STEEP HILL I HAD TRIED TO ASCEND. I WAS TRYING TO BACK DOWN SLOWLY BY USING THE BRAKE, BUT MANY TIMES THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND SLIDE SOMETIMES SIDEWAYS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. I TRIED TO GO UP THE HILL AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY THE US FOREST SERVICE IN WHICH MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE IS REQUIRED TO GO OF ROAD ON FOREST SERVICE ROADS. THERE IS A SECTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT OFF ROAD DRIVING, BUT IT MAKES NO MENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UP STEEP INCLINES.
Power train, Nov 14, 2010
PURCHASED A 4-CYL, AT, 2010 ESCAPE XLT IN DECEMBER 2009, FROM HEALEY FORD IN ANSONIA CT, WHICH IS NOW CLOSED. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, JERKING, GROWLING NOISE IN REVERSE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY, ALL STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THIS VEHICLE. RECALL REPAIR ON SOLONOID DONE, PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS EVEN WORSE. SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS WITH MY $25,000 SUICIDE RIDE I CALL AN ESCAPE...FORD HAS HAD IT TWICE FOR REPAIR WITHOUT SUCCESS. IN CT, I HAVE ONE MORE TRY AND I WILL PROCEED WITH CONNECTICUTS LEMON LAW ARBITRATION, AND FORD GETS TO BUY IT BACK. *TR
Power train, Oct 18, 2010
TRANSMISSION WILL TOTALLY DISENGAGE WHEN NEEDED THE MOST, SUCH AS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE. VERY SCARY SITUATION. DEALER SAYS NEEDS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL. ONLY 18,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Sep 22, 2010
MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE HAS SLAMMED VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT HER FROM BEHIND AND SHE ACTUALLY HURT HER NECK BECAUSE THE JERKING WAS SO VIOLENT. THREE OF THE 4 OTHER TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED HAVE NOT BEEN AS VIOLENT BUT IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO (AT ABOUT 11,000) MILES AND IT WAS VERY VIOLENT (AND MY WIFE GOT 'JERKED' AGAIN). *TR
Power train, Sep 22, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED ON 29 JULY 2010. ON 20 SEP 2010 I NOTICED AS I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT JERKED VIOLENTLY AND SOUNDED LIKE THE BOTTOM FELL OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT IT SHIFTED HARD DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. I HAD MY DAD CHECK IT OUT AND IT DID THE SAME THING WITH HIM. HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 21 SEP 2010 AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM, IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. THEY CHECKED WITH FORD AND THERE WAS SOME ADJUSTMENTS THEY HAD TO DO TO THE COMPUTER. THIS DID NOT FIX PROBLEM AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE. THEY NOW HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK SOLENOIDS BEFORE FORD WILL SEND A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE OPERATOR HAS TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE HAS 5000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND SPORADICALLY JERK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V222000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE TWICE HOWEVER; IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WATER WAS ALSO LEAKING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. UPDATED 10/26/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH. THERE WAS A RATTLE AND NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/26/10
Power train, Jun 20, 2010
ON MARCH 14, 2010 I PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE FROM TUTLE-CLICK FORD IRVINE, CA. WITHIN 3 WEEKS I BEGAN TO SMELL OIL BURNING AND HARD SHIFTING/BUCKING OF THE TRANSMISSION. IN EARLY MAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING A NEED FOR A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID REPROGRAMMING (PROGRAM NUMBER 10B15). WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO FORD ON JUNE 3, 2010 WITH A MERE 4,369 MILES FOR THIS SERVICE I ALSO INFORMED THEM OF THE OIL BURNING ODOR. THEY DEALT WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND FOUND AN OIL LEAK DURING THE DIAGNOSTICS. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR A CASE TO BE STARTED ON MY VEHICLE (1422071530) THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME INITIALLY THE NEEDED TO REPLACE A GASKET AND IT WOULD BE A COUPLE DAYS. ON JUNE 4, THEY INFORMED ME THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED TO GET TO OIL LEAK AREA AND PART WAS TO BE ORDERED FOR THE 2010. ON JUNE 8, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME A SHORT BLOCK HAD TO BE ORDERED AND ARRIVAL WOULD BE JUNE 9. ON JUNE 9 IT HAD NOT ARRIVED. ON JUNE 10, THE SHORT BLOCK ARRIVED LATE IN THE DAY AND THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION WAS FOR JUNE 15, 2010. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON JUNE 16, 2010 WITH 4,375 AND NO FURTHER LEAKS DETECTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE PUT MORE THAN 10 MILES ON IT TO PERFORM A ROAD TEST AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JUNE 17, I NOTICED A BIG PUDDLE OF OIL/FLUID IN MY PARKING AREA. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND I VISITED AND SHE HAD A PUDDLE OF OIL ON HER DRIVEWAY. I SPOKE WITH THE REGIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS CONTACT ON JUNE 17, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE WOULD HAVE A FACTORY TECHNICIAN COME OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 23, 2010. I INFORMED HIM I WOULD BE TAKING BACK TO THE DEALER ASAP. ON JUNE 18, I DROPPED OFF THE CAR AND TOLD THEM MY ASSESSMENT OF NOT ONLY THE LEAK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CHUGGING/SKIPPING. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AT 6PM ON FRIDAY TO INFORM ME THAT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING AN AXLE SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE LOST COMPLETE FAITH IN THIS SHODDY AND INCOMPETENT SERVICE. *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2010
I HAVE A 2010 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE ON A TRIP THIS WEEKEND, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP AND ALMOST CAUSED A TREMENDOUS REAR END ACCIDENT. I LEFT THE CAR 100 MILE FROM HOME BECAUSE NOW FORD HAS TO DO THE WORK AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE NOT FIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, May 25, 2010
2010 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE AS HE BEGINS TO DRIVE FROM A COMPLETE STOP *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY ONCE SHE STARTED MOVING. *JB
Power train, Mar 30, 2010
2010 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR HARD AFTER SHE MOVED FROM A STOP. *TGW
Power train, Mar 8, 2010
2010 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION*CW THE CONSUMER STATED A NOISE OCCURRED DURING EARLY ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS AWAITING A NEW TRANSMISSION CHAIN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Mar 4, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE 1/2/10. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE I WENT TO BACK UP AND THEN GO FORWARD. IN DOING SO, WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO GO FORWARD THERE WAS A JERKING MOTION AS WELL AS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE CAR. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. AS THE CAR SWITCHES GEARS IT WILL JERK WITH THE SAME NOISE. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS COMING APART AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES YOU DEFINITELY KNOW IT. IN THE LAST THREE DAYS IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I TRY TO NOTICE THE RPM'S TO SEE IF IT IS IN THE MIDST OF CHANGING GEARS OR NOT AND IT IS NOT ALWAYS WHEN IT IS DUE TO CHANGE GEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY THEN DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THEY FOUND THE FACTORY FAILED TO ENTER ALL THE CORRECT CODING FOR THE TRANSMISSION SO THEY KEPT THE CAR AND UPDATED IT. ONCE I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK IT HAS CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THE 2005-2009 ESCAPE OWNERS HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AND FOUND THE TRANSMISSIONS BURNED OUT AT APPROX 20,000 MILES. FORD IS TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MINE AS THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. I TOOK IT BACK IN FRIDAY EVENING AND WAS TOLD THEY JUST RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT SOME DEALERS FOUND THEY HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE 2010 MODELS IN, TEAR OUT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND PUT THEM TOGETHER STARTING FROM SCRATCH TO STOP THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT AND HAVE MY TRANSMISSION GO OUT BEFORE THEY WILL FINALLY SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 16, 2010
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER 17000 K WITH TOTAL INTERNAL FAILURE. WITH BOTH THE NEW AND OLD TRANSMISSIONS I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ISSUE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. FAILURE TO DOWNSHIFT COMING TO A STOP, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CAR LINGERING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS EITHER RESULTED IN A 3 SECOND PAUSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO DOWNSHIFT, OR ON ABOUT 5 OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS RIGHT OUT STALLED. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS BEARING DOWN ON YOU WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE TO SAFETY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN HAS UPDATED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOFTWARE (VIA TECHNICAL BULLETIN) 3 TIMES, WHICH HAS NOT HELPED AT ALL. THE TECHNICIAN HAS MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE A STEADY STREAM OF 2009 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS IN THE SHOP WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT THERE CLEARLY IS NO REAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN RUSHED INTO THE ESCAPE TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY WITHOUT PROPER TESTING. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE FORD ENGINEERS HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO ELECTRONICALLY CONTROL THIS TRANSMISSION. I AM AN ENGINEER MYSELF AND UNDERSTAND THAT COMPONENTS SOMETIMES FAIL OR HAVE WEAKNESSES, BUT TO HAVE FAILURE LIKE THIS IN NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. I JUST HOPE NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BEFORE FORD FIXES THIS PROPERLY. *TR