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2010 Ford Escape problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

2,070owner complaints
3safety recalls
29involved a crash

Also reported: 3 fires, 23 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

Read this first

Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 2,070.

Vehicle speed control558
Usually 41,000–65,235 miles (middle half of 541 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Accelerator pedal (1)
Power train508
Usually 40,000–66,000 miles (middle half of 481 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission (14); Automatic transmission › torque converter (1); Axle assembly › axle shaft › seal (1)
Engine493
Usually 42,000–67,000 miles (middle half of 466 reports with mileage)
Fuel/propulsion system440
Usually 42,000–75,000 miles (middle half of 351 reports with mileage)
Steering423
Usually 86,000–144,500 miles (middle half of 319 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Column (4); Electric power assist system (1); Rack and pinion (1)
Electrical system216
Usually 41,021–80,324 miles (middle half of 193 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Instrument cluster/panel (3); Ignition (3); 12V/24V/48V battery (2); Horn (1); Software (1)
Unknown or other93
Usually 48,918–100,856 miles (middle half of 67 reports with mileage)
Structure84
Usually 40,000–103,000 miles (middle half of 61 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Body (58); Body › hatchback/liftgate (9); Frame and members (7); Body › tailgate (3); Body › hatchback/liftgate › hinge and attachments (2)
Fuel system, gasoline71
Usually 50,000–77,400 miles (middle half of 63 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Delivery › fuel pump (1); Storage (1); Storage › tank assembly (1)
Visibility69
Usually 10,524–60,125 miles (middle half of 60 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Glass, side/rear (30); Sun/moon roof assembly (3); Windshield (3); Defroster/defogger/hvac system (2); Power window devices and controls (2)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Vehicle speed control

541 reports with mileage · median 52,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Power train

481 reports with mileage · median 51,430 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

466 reports with mileage · median 52,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2010 Ford Escape. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 16V777000 · 2016-10-26 · 329,265 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Steering › electric power assist system

Campaign 14V284000 · 2014-05-29 · 740,878 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Power train › automatic transmission

Campaign 10V222000 · 2010-05-24 · 19 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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".

Consequence: A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Any unexpected acceleration, surging, or cruise control problems? Test cruise control on the highway.

558 owner complaints mention the throttle or cruise control, half of the reports with mileage are between 41,000 and 65,235 miles.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

508 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 40,000 and 66,000 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

493 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 42,000 and 67,000 miles.

Any stalling, hesitation, loss of power, or fuel smell? Ask whether fuel-system parts were replaced and get the receipts.

440 owner complaints mention the fuel or propulsion system, half of the reports with mileage are between 42,000 and 75,000 miles.

Any steering noises, pulling, stiffness, or loss of power assist? Turn lock to lock while parked and listen.

423 owner complaints mention the steering, half of the reports with mileage are between 86,000 and 144,500 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Ford Escape years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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