VehicleVerdict

2010 Ford Escape problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 3,182 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Escape year — the 2010 model ranks #3 of 27 Escape years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 39 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (558), engine (528), and fuel system (511), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

3,182

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

43

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

39

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Escape years?

Escape NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted3,670 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 1,389 complaints2002: 1,397 complaints2003: 736 complaints2004: 715 complaints2005: 2,030 complaints2006: 627 complaints2007: 350 complaints2008: 2,404 complaints2009: 2,348 complaints2010: 3,182 complaints2011: 1,871 complaints2012: 792 complaints2013: 3,670 complaints2014: 2,650 complaints2015: 1,285 complaints2016: 1,258 complaints2017: 3,207 complaints2018: 2,097 complaints2019: 708 complaints2020: 2,025 complaints2021: 428 complaints2022: 298 complaints2023: 149 complaints2024: 136 complaints2025: 32 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Escape NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escape years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Ford Escape problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control55818%
Engine52817%
Fuel System51116%
Transmission50816%
Steering42313%
Electrical System2448%
Other953%
Visibility & Wipers943%
Body & Structure913%
Brakes502%
Suspension331%
Airbags140%
Tires & Wheels90%
Seats80%
Lighting60%
Seat Belts50%
Driver Assistance20%
Latches & Locks20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2010 Ford Escape have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V777000Fuel SystemOctober 26, 2016 · 329,265 units

Defect

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.

15E045000SuspensionJune 3, 2015 · 576 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

14V284000SteeringMay 29, 2014 · 740,878 units

Defect

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.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

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.

10V222000TransmissionMay 24, 2010 · 19 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKING METER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 27, 2013 · crash

“TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE BRAKE TO STOP , CAR SURGED FORWARD AND JUMPED THE CURB. HIT A BUS SHELTER, SIDE SWIPED A TREE , THEN JUMP CURB BACK TO PARKING LOT BEFORE ESCAPE CAME TO A FULL STOP. FIRST TIME SLED ON A SMALL PATCH OF ICE CAR SURGED BRAKES NEVER TOOK HOLD SLID AND AVOIDED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 13, 2015 · crash

“2010 FORD ESCAPE WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, BUT VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO GAIN SPEED AND GO FORWARD STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 10, 2017 · crash

“I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP.BWHIND A VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN I RELEASED THE GAS, MY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. FRON THAT DAY FORWARD, MY VEHICLE HAD FREQUENTLY SURGED FORWARD OR REVED UP QHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. NOW, MY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 7, 2014 · 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 22, 2012 · crash

2010 Ford Escape — common questions

Is the 2010 Ford Escape reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 3,182 complaints put the 2010 model at #3 of 27 Escape years. It is one of the Escape years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Escape problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (558 complaints), engine (528 complaints), fuel system (511 complaints).

Does the 2010 Ford Escape have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Ford Escape under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Escape years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escape years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2010, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2005, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among Escape years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.