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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,459 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Ford Escape electrical problems

electrical problem

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2010 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 10 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Feb 012013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle will stall during idle, accelerating from a stoplight, decelerating, and/or driving at highway speeds. There are no warnings before this happens, and when it does happen, the vehicle has to coast to the shoulder, turned off, and then restarted before continuing. Weather has no effect as it has happened in minus 5 degrees to 80 degrees, rain, snow, humid, dry, sunny... this has happened at least 20 times in the past 3 months.

- Washington, MI, USA

problem #20

Oct 202012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 41,021 miles
While driving from central fl to asheville, nc. My 3.0 litr Escape basically lost all power a total of 6 different times on interstates 95 and 26 between savannah, ga and columbia, SC. Driving along at posted highway speed limit, engine would unexpectedly start losing power and eventually come to a stop in the emergency lane. The tachometer indicated that the engine was running at about 1000 RPM, but it would not take and thottle and barely move. Switching the engine off and restarting, reset something and allowed me to continue driving normally but only for about 20 miles before doing the exact same thing. This was a Saturday about noon and calling several Ford dealers was useless as most said they were getting ready to close, or could not look at it until Monday. Not wanting to ruin our vacation, we tried to continue with the above scenario repeating itself at least 6 more times, each time getting more and more dangerous, as traffic was heavy and each time the engine would lose power instantly and almost caused accidents before we could get off the road into the emergency lane. Finally called a Ford dealer in columbia, SC that was open till 4pm. And said they could check it out. Made it there at 3:30 pm and they diagnosed the trouble as a code P2111 throttle body stuck open. They had the part in stock and $326 later we were on our way. Vehicle only had 41K miles. Internet research has revealed several hundred complaints of the same exact trouble happening to them. There is even a youtube video showing this described trouble actually taking place, after a frustrated driver could not get any Ford dealer to recreate the trouble and take care of it, he videod it acutally happening. My calls to Ford Motor Co customer service, and my emails were a waste of time. Ford is ignoring a very dangerous problem that will get them many lawsuits I am sure. Ford needs a recall now!

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #19

Mar 312013

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
This is about the 10th time I have experienced this issue. In every case the car stops accelerating and the car drops into idle with the RPM's ranging from 900-1100. Shifting gears does not have an effect and you have to shut off the car to turn in back on. The amber wrench light comes on every time and the few times that it happened consecutively in one trip the check engine light came on. On my first visit to a dealership they replaced the accelerator pedal. The second time they noticed my transmission was eating its fluid so the filled up the fluid. The third time the dealership replaced my transmission and the most recent they replaced the throttle body. This seems to coincide with the open investigation PE13003. I have had the car malfunction occur when accelerating through 65 trying to get onto a highway. Had it happen twice at 15 mph in a parking lot. Had it at 45 mph in the middle of an intersection and multiple times on back roads at 35 mph. Fortunately for me I was always able to flip my hazards on quickly and the other vehicles were able to get around me while I stopped on the road, but this situation is highly unsafe especially at higher speeds on highway when you have to pull over and stop the car to fix the situation. Based on multiple online forums it seems to be mainly the throttle body that is malfunctioning, but it seems to also degrade the engine over time and can end up costing you as an owner over time due to the dealers inability to always pin point the issue.

- Enid, OK, USA

problem #18

Mar 202013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 77,550 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle's throttle stopped working in traffic traveling at 35 mph and had to coast vehicle to side of road where engine was idling roughly but no response to pressing accelerator pedal. Vehicle needed to be shut off and restarted several times to get throttle working again. Vehicle exhibited this problem many times over last 30 days (even at 65 mph we lost throttle on interstate and had to coast off in traffic). We have been fortunate in avoiding an accident. Took vehicle to service station which read computer reading and said "throttle body actuator" needed to be replaced and that I should go to local Ford dealer asap as there should be a recall for a 2 year old vehicle with this dangerous condition. Ford dealer informed me that there was no recall and that its just something that happens and that it would be $399 to fix. This is a huge safety issue and I will not let my family drive the vehicle until Ford fixes this issue at Ford's expense. I researched online and this problem seems to be happening a lot to many owners. This needs an immediate mandate by NHTSA to Ford to issue a recall for this life threatening defect.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 192013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 75,450 miles
2010 Ford Escape XLT (V6) is having repeated incidents (at random intervals) of throttle failures. Vehicle suddenly has no "gas pedal", idles roughly (800 to 1000 RPM) and has to be coasted to side of road. Only way to reset is to put vehicle in park and turn off (dangerous on interstates or if in left lane and no place to pull off), restart and most cases the problem is eliminated for hours, days or more. Sometimes it can occur many times within a short drive period and then go away for hours of issue-free driving. Engine service light (wrench) came on one day after some extremely rough idling caused by issue (engine bucked a bit) and service station read computer analysis as "throttle actuator control system" was stuck open and closed. They told me that it was probably defective and dangerous and that I should proceed to my Ford dealer asap. I took vehicle to Ford dealer (3/20/13) and they acknowledged the throttle body should be replaced, but said no recall had been issued so I would have to pay for repair. I could not believe this for a 2 year old car. This is a huge safety issue and I would expect a manufacturer to fix this problem immediately and shocked at their nonchalance regarding this problem. I went home and googled the issue and I see many articles and agencies looking into this problem so apparently I am not the only one having this problem. I am not allowing the my family members to drive the vehicle due to this safety issue until it is repaired by Ford at their expense. This could be a major lawsuit (injury or even fatalities) due to the safety of having to "limp off" a busy roadway with no warning and becoming a target.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 242013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 74,100 miles
The wrench icon illuminated the 4 times the Escape failed to respond to acceleration. Each time it needed to be turned off and restarted. 1st failure (1/24/13) was at about 20mph (or less) while making a U-turn. I was able to coast over to bus lane. 2nd failure (2/4/13) was at 50mph after traveling 30 miles in heavy traffic. I drove directly to a transmission shop and was told "what an extreme safety issue this could be and that this was an expensive transmission to rebuild and it would be $2000 to $2500." 3rd failure (2/5/13) and by now I am quick to start emergency flashers. I was unable to restart in N. I was able to pull into a turn lane and had to turn Escape off and restart. I started researching on internet and determined that the problem was the electronic throttle body. 4th failure (2/11/13) same senerio. 2/14/13 I drove to don reid Ford, maitland, fl. I spoke to the service manager who agreed with me that the problem was the throttle body. $300 fix included $99. Labor with a 12 month warranty at any Ford dealer. That point sold me since this vehicle was likely to travel out of town, and that it could be done while I waited. I was not happy to check my paperwork after I got home and find that instead of stating the issue it said "customer states replace throttle body per customer request" I called the service manager and expressed my concern that this very dangerous safety issue was not documented on my paperwork. I was told that since the dealer did not diagnose the problem, which would have cost another $99 that this was the way it had to be written up. I believe that this sudden gas pedal failure could cause an accident and should be a recall before a death occurs. This 2010 was built 12/09. We bought this Escape 10/3/12 with 73,600 miles on it. We have tested it out on a 200 mile trip and a 1,000 mile trip.now trust the 2010 Escape.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #15

Feb 242013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon entering the flow of traffic on highway my 2010 Ford Escape began to accelerate on its own and increasing speed, realizing what was happening I engaged the brake to no avail, I was unable to stop my vehicle. I navigated to the shoulder and was gaining speed on the traffic ahead so I looked for an exit into a parking lot with no one walking in my way and turned into the lot literally on two wheels due to my increasing speed. I saw a wooded area with a snow bank and thought I would head that way rather than the alternative of other vehicles, building or people. As I got closer I then turned the engine off and stopped but not after standing on my brakes and smelling burning from them.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA

problem #14

Feb 062013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 41,788 miles
I was driving down the road and my car stalled and started jerking before shutting down entirely. I would push on the gas and my car would not drive forward, as if it lost its power. The Ford dealership had to replace the throttle body, after I owned the car for less than a year.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

problem #13

Dec 042012

Escape

  • 60,400 miles
The car lost engine power unexpectedly while under way. Pressing the gas pedal made no difference, and the car would not coast - it lost speed rapidly. Upon turning the car off and waiting a few minutes, the car would restart and operate normally. Sometimes it would operate for normally for the entirety of the trip, other times the car would exhibit the problem again.

- Roslindale, MA, USA

problem #12

Dec 222012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
At freeway speed the car lost power. We were able to pull to the shoulder of the highway. A small wrench warning light appeared on the dashboard. We checked the owner's manual, and it referred to a "throttle/power train" issue and told us to seek dealer attention as soon as possible. The engine restarted, so we continued our trip. We stopped in sulfur springs, tx, at the Ford dealership. That morning the vehicle battery was dead (which was the first problem we have ever had with the vehicle), and we began our trip after jump-starting the car. I thought the stalling was related to the battery problem. The events were explained to the tech, we replaced the battery which we felt would also solve the stalling problem. The stall occurred the next day, and again on our return trip. I took the vehicle to our local Ford dealer where the throttle body assembly was replaced. We have not, as of now, tested the repair at freeway speed, but were assured by the dealer that the problem was solved.

- Tahlequah, OK, USA

problem #11

Jun 152012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 29,321 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On June 15, 2012, the 2010 Ford Escape with 29321 miles lost power (I.e. no gas, but electronics remained on) while merging onto a crowded highway at 50 mph. An accident was barely avoided. Error lights were lit on the dashboard and the car would not restart. However, upon removing the keys from the ignition and reinserting them, the error lights turned off and the car restarted without any apparent problems. The car was immediately driven to the university Ford dealership in chapel hill, nc. The service department could not detect a problem, stated that the computer was not registering any errors, and returned the car without fixing anything. On June 27, 2012, the car (29988 miles) again lost power in the middle of an intersection while making a left turn. The car had been stopped at a traffic light and was accelerating from a stopped position. Again, an accident was barely avoided. This time, the car's computer did register an error. The service department at university Ford identified a faulty throttle body sensor (part no. 9L8Z9E926A) and replaced it with part no. Ds7Z9E926A. The service department ensured the problem would not repeat itself. On November 24, 2012, the car (roughly 34000 miles) lost power for a third time while stopped at a traffic light. Removing the keys from the ignition and replacing them allowed the car to be restarted, and the car was promptly taken to university Ford. The service department stated that no error was registered on the computer and that the car would have to be returned. The warranty policy states that no parts can be replaced if a problem is not detected.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #10

Aug 092012

Escape

  • 42,000 miles
I was driving on the highway when suddenly I lost all acceleration and had to coast off the road. A wrench was lit up on my dashboard and although I had no acceleration, my engine was still sputtering/running. After turning the car off for a few minutes and restarting it, it ran fan and the wrench light was off. It ran fine for the next week until it happen again. I was pullin onto the access road to the highway and the car again lost all acceleration, but continued to run. This continued all the way home, which I arrived safely, luckily. I called a Ford dealership and they were unable to get a service manager on the phone. They were supposed to call me back, which they never did. I ended up taking my car to another shop near my home and they told me that my electronic throttle body had gone out. They had recently made this fix to two other Ford Escapes, which concerned me. They also had to get the replacement piece directly from Ford, which also concerns me because I am now convinced it is a faulty piece altogether. I still feel at risk as they have only replaced the piece which I feel may still by faulty. I am disappointed that Ford was put so many people at risk and my hope is that this is researched and is recalled for peoples safety. I feel so blessed that my child was not in the car with me during these incidents although I was extremely scared for my own well being. I would like Ford to be held responsible for this.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #9

Aug 082012

Escape

  • 35,700 miles
Twice, vehicle went into "limp mode" and failed to accelerate, once while stopped at a traffic signal, and a second time when turning onto another roadway. The engine would only idle and we had to pull out of moving traffic and shut down the engine for a minute and then restart. It would then run fine. Guessing the throttle computer had to reboot to function again.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #8

Jul 272012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 47,500 miles
The car literally died while driving. I pulled over (coasted more like), turned off the engine and then tried to restart (it did). Then it did the same thing an hour later. I was told by a trusted mechanic it's likely a defective throttle body assembly (tba) and that there's a note in the database indicating there might be a problem. I won't know for sure until it's replaced on Thursday. I called Ford and they said it's possible it could be covered under their 60,000/5yr power train warranty but that a dealer might say it's under the 3 yr warranty and thus passed coverage. I went to a nearby Ford dealership and surprise, surprise it's not covered. How can a car literally dying while on an interstate highway not be due to a defective part?! it's a 2010 model. I've got less than 50,000 miles on it. Also the emissions warranty book specifically lists the tba as covered and it's not limited to 3 years. This looks like an accident waiting to happen. It's not a minor problem like the air conditioning going out. And I don't think this is an isolated incidence if there is sufficient concern that a mechanic can see a warning on the part. Hope I'm wrong. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #7

Aug 012011

Escape

  • 12,300 miles
While driving to the tpa on I-75 approaching the exit for I-4 we slowed for a truck that cut us off. Our vehicle shifted down at least two gears which caused the engine to over rev. We tried to speed up, but the engine just revved higher. So we slowed while exiting on to the ramp for I-4. we were able to get over to the right and pull off the ramp road before getting on to I-4. we turned the engine off and sat for a few minutes to compose ourselves. I was hoping that the system would reset itself so we could continue. We started the engine and we continued to the airport without anymore problems. I drove home, called john at brandon Ford and described the problem. He said it would be difficult to solve the problem because none of the dash lights came on during the incident. He said to drive the vehicle and hopefully it wouldn't happen again. I drove for two weeks drove without incident until 8/26/2011. The same thing happened as before. The engine down shifted about 65 mph and the engine began revving. We slowed the vehicle and came to a stop to make a left turn. After accelerating we felt the engine over revving before shifting. The vehicle is unsafe to drive. It is unpredictable as to when a problem will occur. It's a matter of time before something bad is going to happen. We need this problem fixed with assurance that it is truly fixed or we need restitution from Ford for selling us an unsafe vehicle.

- Sun City Center, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 212011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 8,500 miles
Was stopped in traffic - traffic began to move, I pressed on accelerator and proceeded. Hit about 5 mph and engine lost power completely and steering wheel locked up - radio and A/C remained on. Battery and oil warning lamps on dash illuminated. Was able to put vehicle in neutral and move to side of road. Turned ignition off and was able to re-start vehicle as normal. Proceeded to my destination as normal.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #5

Jan 072011

Escape

  • 10,000 miles
My 2010 Ford Escape with remote start malfunctioned in 2010 and 2011. The unit starts the vehicle when fobs are laying untouched on a table and away from all possible contact. A reprogramming of the unit was completed in 2010 but the incident occurred again in January of 2011. The entire unit was replaced on 1/12/2011. Carbon monoxide poisoning a distinct possibility.

- Washington, PA, USA

problem #4

Jul 192010

Escape

  • 4,292 miles
No accelerator response in the middle of a lefthand turn with oncoming traffic. No engine revs then engine roared and I was able to complete my turn. Dealer saw no engine codes, no notes, a 1.5 mile test drive showed nothing, no notes with VIN and Ford stated no known issues. It didn't happen then?

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #3

Apr 202010

Escape

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that whenever he got out of the vehicle, he would get shocked from any metal part of the door. The dealer stated that the failure was an operational characteristic of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. The current mileage was approximately 4,600.

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

problem #2

Apr 302010

Escape

  • 100 miles
L.E.D. lites are too dim in bright day light to see, ,safety issue, ,must take eyes off road to look real close to radio information screen & odometer, , this is unsafe.

- Livonia, MI, USA

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