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: steering
441 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jan 3, 2014
I'VE HAD 2 INSTANCES OF LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST ON MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY HUSBAND TO TURN. HE SLOWED THE CAR DOWN, TURNED ON THE HAZARDS, AND PULLED OVER. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN. POWER ASSIST WORKED AGAIN AT START-UP. OUR THREE CHILDREN AND I WERE ALSO IN THE CAR, AND I'M SURPRISED WE WERE NOT REAR-ENDED. THE SECOND INSTANCE WAS WHEN I WAS IN LINE AT A DRIVE-THROUGH. I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL WHEN PULLING FORWARD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. POWER ASSIST WORKED AT START-UP. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND QUOTED ME $1100-1400 REPAIRS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUES AS A FAULTY POWER ASSIST MOTOR. REPLACEMENT WAS QUOTED AT $1400. I COMMUTE 50 MILES ROUND TRIP EVERY DAY. I AM VERY WORRIED OF THE STEERING ASSIST FAILING ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR AGAIN. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 75,000 MILES. *TR
Steering, Dec 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED WITH THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC GEAR ASSEMBLY HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 2/26/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPUTER BOARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1850
Steering, Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2013
1ST - VEHICLE WAS REFUELED WITH 87 OCTANE AND JUST DROVE ONE MILE DOWN AND UP A HILL WERE IT STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED AND VEHICLE LURCHED AND STALLED. 2ND - VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD GOING 20 MPH AND STARTED TO SPUTTER AND HESITATE 3RD - RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WERE IT WAS STOPPED THEN THROTTLE APPLIED AND LURCHED AND STALLED 4TH - USING CRUISE CONTROL DRIVING 75 MPH DOWN PARKWAY, VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH AND STALLED 5TH - DRIVING TO DEALER TO FIGURE OUT HESITATION AND STALL, ACCELERATED FROM RED LIGHT AND HESITATED AND STALLED 6TH - STILL ENROUTE TO DEALER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ILLUMINATED, AND VEHICLE STALLS AGAIN ONLY 300 FEET FROM LAST STALL. ENGINE HAS ROUGH IDLE. POLICE OFFICER SUGGESTED THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BECAUSE HIS FORD EXPEDITION RECENTLY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SYMPTOMS. DEALER DIAGNOSED A BAD THROTTLE BODY. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE LAST 6TH STALL. EVERY TIME VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND RESTART IN NEUTRAL LED TO RE-STALLING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED AND RE-STARTED AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN PARK. ENGINE SPUTTERED AND WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION AFTER 6TH STALL BUT SLOW SMOOTH ACCELERATION PROVED EFFECTIVE. ALL STALLS WERE EXPERIENCED WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. *LN
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65 MPH , MY CARS ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING . THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. NEARLY CAUSED A PILE UP. *TR
Steering, Apr 19, 2013
THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO OPERATE WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND BEGAN TO DRIVE. THIS NOW HAPPENS ON OCCASION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN IT MAY GET WORSE AND FAIL DURING A TURN OR AT HIGH SPEED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL ONLINE. *TR
Steering, Feb 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,700. UPDATED 5/7/13 *CN
Steering, Dec 22, 2012
I WAS DRIVING LIKE 25 MPH & SUDDENLY STEERING GOT LOCKED & I HAD TO STOPPED & I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE & RESTARTED AGAIN THEN IT WAS WORKING NORMAL.I AM AFRAID IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY. *TR
Steering, Dec 18, 2012
ON THE MORNING OF 12/13/12 I WAS ON MY WAY TO MY DAUGHTERS DAYCARE & MY WORK GOING AROUND 70 MPH ON I-75 SOUTH WITH MY 22 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT, WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME IN MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE. I COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR TO GET OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. I STARTED TO PANIC! MY ALIGNMENT WAS A LITTLE OFF I GUESS, SO MY TIRES LED ME TO THE LEFT (THANK GOD) & I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER BY SLOWING DOWN & LETTING MY CAR GLIDE OVER. I HAD POWER STEERING FLUID AT THE TIME, BUT YET I WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET IT TO MOVE. IT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED! THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE STEERING SYSTEM REPLACED AND WILL COST ME $1,200. MY (2010) 3 YEAR OLD CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER IT'S 36,000 WARRANTY, SO OF COURSE FORD THINKS I SHOULD PAY FOR IT! HOW CAN A STEERING WHEEL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE SIDE TO SIDE??? IT'S A STEERING WHEEL! THIS WASN'T CAUSED BY ANY LACK OF MAINTENANCE OR VEHICLE UP KEEP. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW STEERING SYSTEM! THIS COULD HAVE KILLED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER & I IF THE EXPRESS WAY STARTED TO CURVE. I WAS BLESSED I-75 WAS GOING STRAIGHT AT THE TIME! PLEASE RECALL THIS, SO NO ONE ELSE IS KILLED OR THEY ARE PUT IN HARMS WAY. HERE IS A WEBSITE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS...... HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2010/POWER-STEERING-FAILED-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO A HARD LEFT OR RIGHT. MOST COMMONLY OCCURS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT AS A ONCE IN A WHILE EVENT AND IS NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. *TR
Steering, Sep 6, 2012
UPON STARTUP, VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN, NO POWER STEERING. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. HARD FAULT CODE B1342, EPAS FAILURE. REPAIR: REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEED, THE ABILITY TO SWERVE WOULD HAVE BEEN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. COST OF REPAIR, $1400. *TR
Steering, Aug 24, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING LOSS AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND ARM INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000.
Steering, Jun 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MANEUVERED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEN EVENTUALLY RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Steering, Jul 19, 2011
2010 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED AWD, BUILD DATE 10-29-2009. POWER STEERING FAILED DURING LEFT TURN, NEARLY CAUSING A SIDESWIPE CRASH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. QUICK REFLEXES AND BRAKING PREVENTED THE CRASH. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 106 DEGREES. AFTER BRAKING THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTIONING. *KB
Steering, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD A HARD TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WHERE AN UNKNOWN STEERING MECHANISM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500.
Steering, Sep 13, 2010
PURCHASED NEW FORD ESCAPE 06/01/10, AT APPROX 800 MILES IT DEVELOPED A METAL TO METAL CLICKING SOUND WITHIN STEERING COLUMN WHEN MANUVERING IN AND OUT OF PARKING LOTS AND SLOW SPEED TURNS. BROUGHT ESCAPE TO DEALER ON 06/21/10, DEALER SAID THEY HAVE TO REALIGN MOTOR TO FRAME. NOISE RETURNED AND ESCAPE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER ON 07/27/10. DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT AND COUPLING. NOISE RETURNED AGAIN, ESCAPE RETURNED TO DEALER ON 08/30/10, THIS TIME THEY ARE REPLACING WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. AS OF 09/13/10 DEALER STILL HAS ESCAPE. FORD ISSUED SSM # 21321 BUT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF NOISE AND SERVICE MANAGER AGREED. TO ME NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS TRYING TO ENGAGE AND THAT MAY BE WHY THEY ARE REPLACING STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2010
PURCHASED 2010 FORD ESCAPE XLT ON 12-12-09. ON MONDAY, 12-14-09 POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHT FOR STABILIZER CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. CAR WAS HARDLY DRIVABLE AND EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. DEALERSHIP STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NEWLY COMPUTERIZED THIS YEAR AND DID NOT RUN ON BELT AND PISTONS ANYMORE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AND RETURNED CAR ON FRIDAY 12-18-09. TODAY IS 1-6-10 AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN TONIGHT. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. WILL POST SECOND COMPLAINT FOR THE 2ND INCIDENT ONCE RESOLVED. *TR