10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,705 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #26

Aug 062024

Escape

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle continuously pulled to the right, requiring the driver to make constant corrections. Upon visual inspection of the vehicle, the contact observed that the front passenger's side tire was angled inward and had nearly detached from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front engine cradle after observing excessive corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Commerce Township, MI, USA

problem #25

Apr 092024

Escape

  • miles
Engine cradle rusted out. It was replaced and I have the old part. Problem was detected using the vehicle for a short drive at residential speed. If the part had failed on the freeway an accident may have occurred. Vehicle was left at a close by shop who confirmed part failure and warned vehicle could not be driven unless part replaced. Shop confirmed this is not uncommon. Called Ford Motor Company and was told to see my local dealer. Checked with dealer body shop. Body shop said never seen problem before. Parts confirmed common replacement part. Service would neither confirm nor deny quality of original part leading to failure. Concern is for younger drivers for whom this is a family hand me down.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #24

Oct 302023

Escape

  • miles
I had exhaust work done, 2010 Ford Escape, and shop pointed out huge rust hole in ''subframe'' (engine cradle) This has been hundred thousand recalls but NOT all model years, yet they ALL have the same fault. Ford recall only puts a cheap ''brace'' on it but it is NOT a repair!! What kind of country allows these maggots to threaten the driver with complete !! loss of steering control and yet not require repair for faulty frames? They did the half-ass repair on 2001 to 2004 but ALL years up to 2012 have this, and the ''brace '' in cheapo B S.

- Long Valley, NJ, USA

problem #23

Aug 012023

Escape

  • miles
A/C drain line located above the crossmember(Engine Cradle-#9L8Z-5C145-A) caused it to prematurely rot on the passenger side of the vehicle. Issue was discovered during a routine oil change. Crossmember rot is directly above lower control arm attachment point. In the event of total failure, it would result in loss of control of the vehicle. The driver's side of the crossmember does not have any signs of corrosion.

- Davis Junction, IL, USA

problem #22

May 042023

Escape

  • miles
Had an alternator problem, had vehicle towed to garage for repair. When I picked the owner of the garage there is significant rust to the suspension. I inspected the damage my self and found the "suspension part" that holds the strut was just about rusted through. I researched the web and found out that there were plenty of others who have the same

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #21

May 292022

Escape

  • miles
Driving down the road started hearing minor noises in the rear, then louder clunks when driving over road patches and bumps. Parked in our driveway, and inspected, found out the entire strut tower on the rear driver side tire is rusted from the frame and there is a large crack that has formed in the unibody has well. Our local Ford dealership in town sent us to the auto body shop and the auto body shop will not touch it and said park it and do not drive it. It is dangerous to myself, occupants and others on the road you can move the entire strut tower. We are stuck with a loan for a vehicle when we bought had no rust marks anywhere until after a few months. Also the roof leaks as well which was not visible when we purchased this vehicle of a lot. We took it back to the dealership we bought it from and since we bought as is, they would do nothing. They said they'd help get us in something different and will not return any calls. They had to have known this was a problem when they sold this.

- Gaylord, MI, USA

problem #20

Nov 012021

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated she was safely able to slow the vehicle to approximately 10 MPH and proceed back to her residence. The contact stated that on her way to the residence she noticed that the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact called an independent mechanic and informed the mechanic of the failure. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15E045000 (Suspension) and 14V284000 (Steering). The local dealer was contacted but the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recalls and that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #19

Nov 102021

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle started making occasional "clunking" sounds upon right hand turns around the 120,000 mile mark as if my tire were falling into a pothole that wasn't there. Had one occurrence where a sharp right hand turn resulted into what I'd call a "locked up" steer or loss of steering control and flashing warning light. It then mysteriously resumed normalcy. At 135,000 during a brake job service, mechanic pointed out that the crossmember has prematurely corroded through along with concerns about the subframe and this car was unfit to drive which may be the reason for the above. I'm reading very similar stories of all the same symptoms that have already resulted in accidents with this car which is forcing me to park this.

- Macomb Twp, MI, USA

problem #18

Apr 172021

Escape

  • 211,000 miles
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.

- South Berwick, ME, USA

problem #17

Feb 222021

Escape

  • 154,000 miles
Rear subframe is rusted, potentially cracked causing noise and loss of normal control when driving.

- Newport, KY, USA

problem #16

Oct 262020

Escape 6-cyl

  • 182,711 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming form the front driver's side wheel well as the ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the mechanic replaced the half shaft and the front wheel bearings. The contact stated that the failure recurred with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failures to NHTSA campaign number: 15E045000 (suspension) and 14V284000 (steering). The contact then called tyler Ford, ltd (2626 S sw loop 323, tyler, tx 75701) and was informed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 182,711.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #15

Jan 252021

Escape

  • miles
Electronic stability control (ESC) and antilock braking system(ABS) display on the dashboard: When braking at a stop the break skips and struggles to break. When turning while the foot is on the break it also skips. Warning lights on dash periodical turns on and off. The break skipping does not always occur. Fast breaking can trigger skipping of the breaks. Rain also increases the likeliness of break skipping and electronic stability control (ESC) making it hard to control steering. The brake pad and rotors have been checks and are normal. Ford Escape 2010. Instances have been happening at random since 2018 at a frequency of 3-4 times a week.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Sep 192020

Escape

  • 84,129 miles
Right front cross member at lower control arm completely rusted prematurely, front end started making clunking noise when driving

- Bartonville, IL, USA

problem #13

Aug 172020

Escape

  • 63,810 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the front suspension failed and caused the passenger's side front wheel to fail. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the road shoulder and found the that the front suspension had fractured and separated. The vehicle was towed fillback Ford ' richland center (2410 us 14 richland center, wi 53581, (608) 647-5400). The dealer inspected the vehicle and found that the front suspension subframe fractured due to corrosion. The dealer replaced front subframe K-frame, the axle, control arm, and tie rod. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 63,810. Invalid VIN.

- Richland Center, WI, USA

problem #12

Jul 262020

Escape

  • 170,000 miles
Driving vehicle down highway at approximately 70mph, hit bump from road construction. Surface was slightly elevated, steering wheel jerked and then was tilted approximately 30 degrees off center to the left. Lifted vehicle and inspected, found K-frame on passenger side was rotting through and had partially detached. Causing alignment to change. Not much material is holding it on still.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #11

Mar 052020

Escape

  • 106,000 miles
My mother was driving the vehicle today straight on a street and she lost control of the vehicle and almost hit another vehicle (only by gods grace she was spared from a deadly accident). I went to look at the vehicle at her home and found out the right lower control arm where it is bolted to the front suspension cross member was severely fatigued that was corroded badly broke off unexpectedly without any warning at all. I then researched this issue afterwards and there were several complaints on line of vehicle about this same safety issue. I may be seeking legal counsel from todd tracy law firm of dallas tx. For this possibly deadly and severe defect that was not properly addressed from Ford and NHTSA to consumers and is a hidden ticking time bomb putting people in danger. Why have you not notified people of this issue? I cannot be the first and only one with this issue.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #10

Feb 172020

Escape

  • 113,488 miles
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.

- Irwin, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 012020

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
To issue a recall requiring to replace the sub-frame and repair any damage from a bad frame. Control arm and other connecting suspension parts will separate from frame and or sub-frame which can result in serious and or fatal injuries. This vehicle has rotting frame/sub-frame and this problem with other Ford Escapes has been reported many times to Ford. This issue should be resolved asap as serious injuries/death will result if not addressed.along with Ford reputation of doing the right thing. Thank you

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 152018

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel and front wheels vibrated out of control. The contact inspected the vehicle himself and found that the wheel bearing was the wrong dimension. The contact replaced the driver's side wheel bearing himself. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer for the steering failure and the steering stabilizer was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 15E045000 (suspension). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Riverton, WY, USA

problem #7

Aug 242019

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
My electric power assist system stopped working and was unable to turn the wheel to drive - I only have 70,000 miles on my Ford Escape - I was parking my car when the light went off then when I got back in the car I was unable to steer the vehicle. I tried calling Ford and they were unable to help.

- Somerville, MA, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »