NHTSA data checked October 31, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 2,130 owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Escape, and its recall database lists 5 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is vehicle speed control (566 complaints, 27%), followed by power train (513) and engine (505). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
32 complaints say a crash happened and 3 mention a fire; together the complaints report 23 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Ford Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2010 has the 3rd-most complaints (2,130, against a median of 1,434 for the other years).
The newest recall is 16V777000, received October 26, 2016, for fuel system, gasoline.
2,130owner complaints
5recall campaigns
32complaints reporting a crash
3complaints reporting a fire
23injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 2,130 complaints that name the group.
Component group (NHTSA label)
Complaints
Share
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottle and cruise control: unintended acceleration or surging
566
27%
Power Traintransmission, axles and driveshafts: slipping, hesitation, harsh shifts
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks
2
<1%
Tirestires
2
<1%
Back Over Preventionrear-view camera and rear sensors
1
<1%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
<1%
Forward Collision Avoidanceautomatic emergency braking and collision warnings, including false braking
1
<1%
Fuel System, Other
1
<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control
1
<1%
Recalls (5)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 16V777000
Received October 26, 2016 · Fuel System, Gasoline (delivery: fuel pump)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 15E045000
Received June 3, 2015 · Suspension (front: wheel bearing)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 14V284000
Received May 29, 2014 · Steering (electric power assist system)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 10E043000
Received September 3, 2010 · Equipment
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 10V222000
Received May 24, 2010 · Power Train (automatic transmission)
What's wrong: 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".
Risk: 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.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2010 Ford Escape?
2,130 owner complaints as of October 31, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2010 Ford Escape?
Vehicle Speed Control is named in 566 of 2,130 complaints (27%); NHTSA's group covers throttle and cruise control: unintended acceleration or surging.
How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Escape have?
5 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 16V777000 (October 26, 2016). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2010 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
By complaint count, 2010 ranks 3rd of 11 Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.