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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 2,129

Of the 2010 reports, 32 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.

Primary concernVehicle speed control566 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints2,129Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Vehicle speed control566
  2. Power train513
  3. Engine505
  4. Fuel/propulsion system445
  5. Steering441
  6. Electrical system218
  7. Other or unspecified95
  8. Structure86

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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: structure

86 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Mar 5, 2020

    FRAME ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING WHEEL TO BE DETACHED FROM FRAME AND ALSO CONTROL ARM. TOLD NOT TO DRIVE CAR AT ALL UNTIL FRAME IS FIXED. SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED.

  2. Structure, Jul 2, 2019

    THE REAR SHOCK UPPER MOUNTING TOWER AND SUPPORT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM FRAME OF VEHICLE CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOOSE CONTACT WITH ROAD. VEHICLE THIS AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE FRAME RUST / DAMAGE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

  3. Structure, May 15, 2019

    BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE RUSTING. THIS STARTING HAPPENING AROUND 2016. I SEE MANY OTHER 2010 ESCAPES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM.

  4. Structure, May 11, 2019

    UNABLE TO CLOSE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR - WON'T LATCH OR CLOSE

  5. Structure, Wheels, Engine, Jan 11, 2019, crash

    I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT A RECALL AND THIS CAR FRAME WAS CRACKED AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT FROM ANYONE FRONT THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM OR THE COMPANY THAT FIXED IT.

  6. Structure, Sep 10, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, HE CAME ACROSS RUST ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,093. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  7. Structure, Aug 14, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO FIND THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS HANGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HINGES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED, FRACTURED, AND DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB MAXEY FORD, INC. (1833 JEFFERSON AVENUE, DETROIT, MI, 48207) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HINGES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

  8. Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 29, 2018

    FORD ESCAPE REAR WINDOW HINGES. THE HINGES DISINTEGRATED AND THE GLASS ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. I LUCKILY CAUGHT THE GLASS BEFORE IT FELL. I NOTICED A WHITE RESIDUE ON THE GLASS WHIC WAS FROM THE FAULTY HINGES. MY CAR WAS IN MY GARAGE.

  9. Structure, Dec 13, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BRADFORD FAIRWAY FORD, BRADFORD, PA, 814-368-7166), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

  10. Structure, Dec 11, 2017

    2010 FORD ESCAPE WITH 80000 MILES. APROX 3FT LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK IN FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR REAR WHEEL.

  11. Visibility, Structure, Nov 22, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE CLOSING THE REAR HATCH DOOR, THE WINDOW ON THE DOOR SHATTERED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC HINGES ON THE DOOR WERE ALSO CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

  12. Structure, Sep 22, 2017

    REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTING

  13. Electrical system, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 21, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A BULB WITHIN THE LIFTGATE DOOR, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE BULB. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS NO MANUAL OPTION INTERNALLY AND NO OPTION TO USE A FOB TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE HATCH, WHICH FAILED TO OPEN AND SECURE WHEN OPENED. THE DEALER (HOLMAN FORD LINCOLN TURNERSVILLE, 3641 RT 42 SOUTH, TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012, (888) 471-2313) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO ADDRESS THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 12-4-3 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE) WAS REFERENCED. THE VIN WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DAMAGED.UPDATED 09/20/2017*JS

  14. Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Apr 20, 2017

    MY CAR IS RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL SUSPENSION. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO MAKE ME PAY NEARLY $800.00 TO CLEAR UP THE RUST. THE PAINT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO PEEL OFF THE WHOLE SIDE OF THE CAR.THE TOP MOLDING IS COMING OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR. MY TRUCK WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT OPEN. I PAID $140.00 TO REPAIR. I PAID FOR A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY OF $454.00. I HAD TO PAY FOR POWER TRAIN DEDUCTIBLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A RECALL ITEM. THE DASH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO PAY DEALER $100.00. ALL CHARGES WERE INCURRED AT TAYLOR FORD. THE AIR CONDITION WENT OUT LAST YEAR. THE TOP MOLDING IS COMING OFF. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SUMMER 2013 WITH A FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. THE TRUNK GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT OPEN IN JANUARY 2017.

  15. Structure, Jan 19, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE ROOF RACK, WHICH CAUSED RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROOF RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

  16. Structure, Oct 3, 2016

    HATCH COMES UP WHEN DRIVING

  17. Structure, Jul 3, 2016

    MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS LOADING MY CARGO AREA. AS I CLOSED MY LIFT GATE, THE REAR GLASS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE POKED THE GLASS TO SHATTER IT. THE BROKEN GLASS COVERED ME AND ACTUALLY, SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SEND SHARDS IN FRONT OF MY FRONT BUMPER. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE WITHIN 10 FEET OF MY VEHICLE.

  18. Electrical system, Structure, Apr 3, 2016

    DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD CLOSE, AN HOUR LATER THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE FROM INSIDE CAR, IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO GET OUT THROUGH THE BACK.

  19. Structure, Jan 9, 2016

    ONE DAY CLOSED THE REAR HATCH GLASS AND THE HINGE HOLDING THE GLASS IN PLACE FELL APART DUE TO CORROSION. NOW THE WINDOW IS BARELY HANGING ON ONLY WITH THE HELP OF THE LATCH LOCKING IT IN PLACE. NOT A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ANTI-CORROSIVE USED ON THE METAL TO PROTECT IT. NOW HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH IT BARELY HANGING ON UNTIL THE REPLACES PARTS I ORDERED COME IN BECAUSE THEY COULD ONLY BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. ALSO TOO THE WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE WINDOW IS NOT PLUSH ENOUGH I THINK TO PROTECT THE INSIDE FROM WATER DAMAGE WHICH ALSO LEAD TO THE WHOLE LIFTGATE FAILING TO OPEN ANYMORE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP THEY DID WHEN FIRST BUILDING THE CAR. AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT I'M SURE OTHERS FAIL TO REPORT IT TO THE PROPER AGENCY.

  20. Electrical system, Structure, Jan 6, 2016

    FROM THE TIME WE FIRST BOUGHT THE ESCAPE (NEW) THE BATTERY LIGHT HAS CAME ON AT RANDOM TIMES. WE HAVE TAKEN IN AND DEALER SAID THERE IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVE THE HEAT OR AIR ON IT WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF AND THEN A MINUTE LATER COME BACK ON FULL BLAST. I ALSO HAVE RUST UNDER WHEEL WELLS THAT FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER BECAUSE IT DID NOT PREFERATE THE BODY BUT IS CLEARLY CREEPING UP THE UOUSIDE OF THE REAR QUARTER PANEL AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN THIS ON MANY OF THE SAME YEAR ESCAPES. WHEN I PUSHED FOR RESULTS THEY OPENED AN INVESTIGATION THEN CAME BACK AND SAID THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST WITH ME WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 5 YEAR UNLIMITED MILEAGE BODY COVERAGE. ALSO, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE LAST WEEK AND IT RANDOMLY STALLED ON HER CAUSING HER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. SAFETY IS BECOMING A CONCERN. NOT PLEASED WITH RESULTS GIVEN.

  21. Structure, Dec 20, 2015

    WHEN CLOSING THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2010 ESCAPE, THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED.

  22. Structure, Nov 10, 2015

    RIGHT REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND DOES NOT WORK. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "CABLE BURNED OUT." A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, DID THE EXACT SAME THING. VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES. STATIONARY.

  23. Structure, Oct 29, 2015

    THE TAIL GATE AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST. THE TAIL GATE HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD BODY SHOP.

  24. Structure, Aug 28, 2015

    WHEN A DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE HOOD FLEW UP ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WE USE FOR A COMPANY VEHICLE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE THE COMPANY HAS, YEAR 2006, THAT I ALSO FILED A COMPLAIN ON AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO CURRENT RECALL.

  25. Structure, Jul 24, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE HATCHBACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE FLASHER AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE HATCHBACK DOOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.