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
2,129 reports, newest first.
Steering, Nov 15, 2021
My power steering went out on a Sunday while I was miles away from my home. No warning lights or messages came on the dashboard. I did have very limited steering and I was able to get it home. There were recalls by Ford for this particular problem in the year it was made, 2010. My vin # didn't come up for needing a recall. I'm going to take it to a garage to be repaired and I'd like to know what the faulty part is.
Steering, Nov 14, 2021
In past couple of years, I had power steering loss while driving. I managed to get car off road but very difficult. I paid $2,000 for a new steering column and was told this was a common Ford Escape Issue. Less than 1 year later, I am having same problem again. Steering comes and goes.
Steering, Nov 8, 2021
The power steering cuts out abruptly causing loss of control. The dashboard begins to flash with warning lights and sounds, however when the power steering comes back on the warning lights and sounds stop. This is a known issue by Ford but the dealer tells me my car is not on the recall list, the existing recall #14S05 does not cover my vehicle and furthermore it let Ford off the hook w/o truly fixing the problem. If you look into it you will find that the "repair" does not work! The NHTSA needs to do something about this as it will cause accidents and possibly lead to injury or death! Please - get serious about holding Ford accountable. This is a SERIOUS problem.
Structure, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the sub-frame had extensive rust above the wheels. The contact was unable to pass the PA vehicle inspection. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 149,500.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the power steering failed, and the contact could not turn the steering wheel. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and began driving at slower speeds while manually steering the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with power steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Steering, Oct 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was inspected, and the software update was performed. The contact stated that several months later after stopping at a stop sign and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact manually drove the vehicle without power steering to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was previously performed and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel filler door would not open and the contact attempted to use a screwdriver to open the fuel filler door. The contact was not able to refuel the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). However, the dealer did not have time to repair the fuel filler door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 5, 2021
1.2010 Ford Escape Electronic Throttle Body issue investigated by the NHTSA. 2. Hesitations, surges, stalls. Ford has issued a CSP 13N03 with time and mileage limits. This is a safety issue effecting many Ford vehicles and the symptoms may not surface until beyond the CSP 13N03 time limits imposed by Ford, as in my case. These electronic throttle body hesitations, surges and stalls are very dangerous and result in compromised safety for the driver, their passengers and others on the road. I have come very close to a collision on two separate occasions because of this issue. The NHTSA should force Ford to reclassify this issue as a recall with no time nor mileage limits or lift the current program time and mileage limits for people like me who are beyond the time limit who have just recently developed this problem. This is a mechanical defect as well as a safety issue. 3. Problem confirmed by Ford dealership. 4. Dash warnings - check engine light and wrench lights illuminated. In my case, these have gone on and off, vehicle demonstrates hesitations, surges, stalls, then resets itself and the vehicle functions normally. This has happened twice over the last few months. Just recently, the warning lights have stayed illuminated and the symptoms are now constant.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2021
I was driving on the freeway in the second lane from the left cruising around 60-65 MPH when the vehicle started to idle rough and then I lost the ability to accelerate I had to maneuver over to the right-hand shoulder of the freeway with cars flying around me. Even though the engine never stalled, the loss of my ability to accelerate left me a sitting duck in danger of being struck by another vehicle or as a dangerous obstacle for other vehicles who might have gotten in an accident trying to avoid me. It also came to my attention while researching the cause that Ford was aware of the issue and had already recalled certain vin #'s and sent a letter out to others with an extended factory warranty to replace the part, but only once the part failed. NOT SAFE! I previously reported this incident to you in August or September, however I lost my follow up information and don't know what happened with my complaint.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 25, 2021
Unknown
Steering, Sep 12, 2021, crash
I was driving turning right and my steering wheel locked up and I hit a tree I seen my model car has a recall #14s05
Steering, Sep 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his fiancé was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the middle of the roadway and the steering wheel turned to the left causing the wheels to make a squealing sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel remained off center. The driver had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the front wheel being misaligned. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Sep 5, 2021
Loss of. Power steering while running. And dash. Markers turn off in the highway
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked up. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer, but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Jul 25, 2021
The subframe is rotted out on the right passenger side which could cause the wheel to fall off while in transit. This is a known problem for the Ford escapes that has not been recalled by Ford. This vehicle is only 11 years old.
Steering, Jun 8, 2021
Electronic steering assist is intermittently failing causing loss of power steering. Other vehicles of this model and year have been recalled for this failure. My Vin is not included in this recall. Warning light notification comes comes on dash. Power steering is lost. Also steering wheel vibrates when stopped at a traffic light.
Steering, May 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 mph while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel turned right inadvertently then ceased. The contact slammed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from going into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the steering shaft torque sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer since parts were on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Steering, Apr 24, 2021
FORD RECALL OF POWER STEERING RESET THE COMPUTER. POWER STEERING STILL FAILED REQUIRING THE SENSOR THAT WAS NOT REPLACED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED WITH THE SAME ERROR CODES AND SYMPTOMS THAT CAUSED THE RECALL. FORD SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY COMPLETED. AT THE TIME THEY FLASHED THE MEMORY ON THE DEVICE INSTEAD OF REPLACING.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 19, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MADE RIGHT HAND TURN INTO SERVICE STATION AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY HAD SLOWED FOR TURN AND ALTHOUGH SCARED NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN TOW COMPANY JACKED UP ESCAPE TO TOW IT ONTO FLATBED TRUCK WE SAW THAT FORWARD FRAME HAD RUSTED ALLOWING FRONT OF A ARM TO SEPARATE FROM FRAME CAUSING SUSPENSION TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE.
Structure, Apr 15, 2021
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - THE LIFT GATE TRAPS WATER INSIDE AND HAS CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO RUST OUT SO BADLY THAT IT HAS CAUSED ME TO REPLACE THE LIFT GATE LATCH ACTUATOR MOTOR AND ASSEMBLY ON THE LIFT GATE 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY 2010. MY SERVICE DOG HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LIFT GATE MOTOR BECOMING BROKEN. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND HAD TO TAKE DOWN THE SEATS. IN THE EVENT THIS WAS AN EMERGENCY MY SERVICE ANIMAL WOULD'VE DIED. MY SERVICE ANIMAL IS TOO LARGE TO RIDE UP FRONT AND SHE RIDES IN THE BACK. ON OCCASION WHEN MY LIFT GATE WAS NOT WORKING, I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE RECENT ISSUE WITH THE GATE, THE SHOP THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAD TO PRY OPEN THE GATE AND REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE LIFT GATE IS REPLACED AND NO LONGER HOLDS WATER. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ALSO HOLDS A LOT OF WATER. THE MILEAGE INDICATED IS FOR THE MOST RECENT REPAIR, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS DATE.
Steering, Apr 13, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
FIRST I NOTICE THE CAR JUST DROP GEARS AND NEARLY STOP ON THE OFF RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY. SECOND TIME I TRIED TO REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE. FORD TOLD ME IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $ 5000 FOR THE JOB. I WINDED UP GOING TO A LEE MYLES THAT CHARGE COST TO $ 4000 FOR THE REPAIRS IT HAD DONE. NOW FEW MONTHS LATER AND THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING UPON START UP AND IDILING. WHENEVER I DRIVE THE CAR IT FEELS LIKE ITS JERKS SLIGHTLY WHEN GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. CHANGED OUT THE AIR FILTER, REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS 2010 FORD ESCAPE.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2021
STEERING;AT SLOW SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY AT IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH. JITTERY IS HOW I'D DESCRIBE IT. AT SLOW SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE A LOOSE WHEEL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THROTTLE BODY; RECALL IS EXPIRED. I PURCHASED THE CAR (SECOND OWNER) ABOUT 2015 FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. OEM THROTTLE BODY FAILED IN 2019, WHICH WAS INDEPENDENTLY DIAGNOSED AND I REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. NO RECOURSE AT THE PRESENT WITH EITHER ISSUE. BOTH ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES KNOWN THROUGHOUT FORD FORUMS AND INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURER.
Steering, Mar 22, 2021
WHEN I STARTED VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE A LITTLE BIT ON ITS OWN, THEN I TRY TO LEAVE PARKING SPACE AND STEERING WAS REALLY HARD TO MOVE. I TRIED TO DRIVE LIKE THIS BUT IT IS REALLY HARD TO STEER VEHICLE ON THIS CONDITIONS TRYING TO DRIVE ON TRAFFIC HAS BECOME DANGEROUS DUE TO THE LACK OF STEERING, I OPTED TO STOP DRIVING THIS CAR UNTIL I CAN TAKE IT TO THE SHOP.
Suspension, Mar 17, 2021
REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED, POTENTIALLY CRACKED CAUSING NOISE AND LOSS OF NORMAL CONTROL WHEN DRIVING.