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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-FORD-ESCAPE NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
2010 · Ford

Ford Escape problems

2,125 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 1 active recall campaign on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Escape?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
475 reports · fails ~56,537 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
440 reports · fails ~119,287 mi · avg $700
moderate
cruise control
405 reports · fails ~55,102 mi · avg $600
moderate
engine
163 reports · fails ~61,042 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
131 reports · fails ~63,439 mi · avg $850
moderate
visibility
84 reports · fails ~47,962 mi · avg $350
severe
fuel system
69 reports · fails ~64,901 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
body
53 reports · fails ~83,860 mi · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 Escape's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 Escape?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Escape · steering
Steering wheel began rapidly shaking when parked or when in drive. This shaking began to make steering dangerous as it would make me swerve while operating the vehicle. This began a week before the power steering went completely out and now the dash has a message for power…
2010 Escape · visibility Crash
I sent this email to Ford in september 2014 I was in an auto accident where by another vehicle hit a deer which landed on the driver side window which shattered into thousands of tiny shards of glass. For over 2 years, I have being dealing with thousands of tiny shards…
12/31/2016 · at 65,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10938901.0 · see visibility pattern →
2010 Escape · powertrain
While driving on surface streets the "wrench" indicator light came on and the car went into limp mode. I got to a parking lot and shut off the engine. After about a minute I restarted the engine, the wrench light went out and all seemed ok. After driving about 6-7 miles on the…
12/31/2013 · at 48,153 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557977.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2010 Escape · steering
My girlfriend's electric power steering went out when she got home. Something that it was previously recalled for. Also while she was driving she was getting really bad shaking in her steering wheel this is the second time this has happened and it is really dangerous.
View all 2,125 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Ford Escape? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 10E043000 September 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

An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Ford Escape reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 2,125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2010 Ford Escape?

The 2010 Ford Escape is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Visibility: 84 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,000–69,297 mi; Body: 53 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–105,200 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Ford Escape?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 475 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,537 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 56,537 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Ford Escape?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,125 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Ford/Escape. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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