2010 Ford Escape Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Ford Escape most often write about losing power steering assist while driving, usually with a 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message, and often note that their vehicle was not covered by the related recall. The next most common themes are rough or delayed automatic shifting, a subframe and control-arm area that rusts through on older, higher-mileage vehicles, and engine stalling, missing or surging that several owners link to the electronic throttle body.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist quits while driving

   Mentioned in 47 of 80 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very heavy, often with a 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message, sometimes at low speed in a turn and sometimes at highway speed. Restarting the vehicle sometimes restores assist for a while before it drops out again. Many complaints say a dealer or the manufacturer told them the VIN was not included in the steering recall, and some report being quoted for a steering column, torque sensor or control module replacement. Reported across a wide range, mostly between about 60,000 and 180,000 miles, with no clear weather or seasonal pattern.

   Recall 14V2840004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering recall was performed and whether the torque sensor or steering column was replaced or only reprogrammed. During a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and watch for the assist fault message.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving down the road in my car started acting funny .my steering wheel would just shack back n forth while drive or in park. When driving after about a week my power steering assist fault comes on .it was on for about three days .I go to get in my car to leave crank up car put it in drive in I can barely turn left to right.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317219, filed 2020-03, 156,000 miles

   “Power steering assit fault - exactly like NHTSA campaign number 14v284000. The vehicle is doing exactly what the summary mentions but Ford motor co is saying that my vehicle is not one of the ones recalled even though the manufactured date is during this period (april 2010) when I called my local dealer in exeter, ca. This happened when the car was started and confirmed multiple times.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365171, filed 2020-10, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Rusted front subframe / control arm separation

   Mentioned in 9 of 80 sampled complaints

   Owners in rust-belt states describe the front subframe or engine cradle fracturing from corrosion, sometimes letting the control arm and wheel separate or the vehicle pull to one side. Repairs reported include a replacement subframe, axle, control arm and tie rod, and some owners say the vehicle failed state inspection because of the rust. Typically reported between about 63,000 and 150,000 miles on older vehicles, often in states that use road salt.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front subframe, engine cradle and control-arm mounting points for rust-through, especially on a vehicle from a snowy state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11316481, filed 2020-03, 106,000 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11316379, filed 2020-03, 113,488 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Rough running, stalling or loss of power (throttle body)

   Mentioned in 5 of 80 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine bucking, stalling at highway speed, dropping into limp mode or losing power and failing to accelerate past low speeds, with the wrench or check engine light on. Owners report throttle body replacement and mention a Ford customer satisfaction program that some say had expired. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 140,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or its calibration was ever updated or replaced, and watch for a wrench or check engine light during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving for as little as ten minutes and other times longer, my truck will lose power while driving and I will start to feel the truck slow up. Then when trying to accelerate I can only get up to 20 MPH. Also if I take my foot off the gas, without putting my foot on the brake, it'll come to a halt. It does go over 2,500 RPM on a good day. I cant take off fast even if I wanted to. The only code that has come up when dealing with my issue is the catalyic converter. I have replaced my o2 sensors and got a new converter on but still having the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11317215, filed 2020-03, 160,000 miles

   “Driving on main local road appx 30 MPH when the check engine light popped on, then the car suddenly died, I was able to swerve to park, shut restart car, car sputtered made it ten feet and died again. Went to mechanic, he checked alternator, battery, and ran the code test could find nothing wrong, driving again appx 1 week later same thing happens again. Mechanic can find nothing wrong. My car does not even have 60,000 miles on it. I am the only owner, and have maintained my car as recommended. If me and my family should get injured or die in this car our blood is on Ford.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340305, filed 2020-07, 50,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Brake pedal sinking toward the floor

   Mentioned in 4 of 80 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor at speed, requiring pumping or hard pressure to stop. Complaints mention brake bleeding, master cylinder, hydraulic control unit and ABS parts being replaced with the soft pedal returning afterward. Mostly reported around 100,000 to 160,000 miles.

   What to check: Press and hold the brake pedal with the engine running and see whether it slowly sinks. Ask for brake and ABS service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have to push my brake pedal to the floor for it to stop. The only time it will catch is if I brake hard or aggressive but then the pedal will start to sink to the floor”

   NHTSA complaint #11360698, filed 2020-09, 125,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress the floorboard without warning. The contact stated that he would have to pump the brakes and engage the ABS to stop the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers where he had the brake lines bled, the master cylinder replaced, and the hydraulic control unit replaced. Despite the multiple repairs, the contact stated that extra brake travel time was needed to stop the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11444677, filed 2021-12, 100,000 miles

Buying note. Prioritize a 2010 Escape whose steering recall work can be documented and whose front subframe and brake system have been inspected for corrosion and a soft pedal, since those are the reports owners raise most. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is worthwhile on higher-mileage examples.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Counts refer to that sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.