MotorDeets

2010 Ford Escape: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2010 Ford Escape: 3 recalls, 2070 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.

3vehicle recalls
2070owner complaints
29mention a crash
24best combined mpg
2010 Ford Escape
Photo: OSX · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #10V222000 · 2010 · 19 vehicles

What's wrong: 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".

Why it matters: A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake May have unintended movement which May cause a crash.

The fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2010.

Steering Vehicle recall #14V284000 · 2014 · 740,878 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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…

Fuel system Vehicle recall #16V777000 · 2016 · 329,265 vehicles

What's wrong: On vehicles with a 3.0l engine, the fuel delivery module (fdm) May crack, causing a fuel leak.

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

The fix: 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…

2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment Equipment recall #10E043000 · 2010 · 294 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.

The fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010.

Suspension Equipment recall #15E045000 · 2015 · 576 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

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

The fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 23 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Speed control / throttle558
Transmission & drivetrain508
Engine493
Fuel & propulsion440
Steering423
Electrical216
Other / unknown93
Body & structure84

What owners describe

The 2010 Ford Escape has 2070 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 27 Escape model years for complaints (2.0× the average Escape year). Complaints peaked in 2013 (910 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 59,908 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (1693 complaints, 1 recalls), 2011 (1317 complaints, 2 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.5 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive222824Regular
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive212823Regular
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive202622Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive192521Gasoline or E85
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive182320Gasoline or E85

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Ford Escape.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2010 Ford Escape manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2010 Ford Escape manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2010 Ford Escape manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2010 Ford Escape manual

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FAQ

Does the 2010 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Ford Escape, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2010 Ford Escape problems?

Owners have filed 2070 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (558), transmission & drivetrain (508), engine (493).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford Escape get?

EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2010 Ford Escape repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Escape years

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