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9.8

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$390
Average Mileage:
65,350 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace throttle body (1 reports)
  3. updated powertrain calibration system (1 reports)
2010 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 122014

Escape XLT 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

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

I have always loved the ford escapes. but with my 2010 escape its always something. the throttle body, the power steering going out. and now the engine. I have put plugs in, new injectors, new egr valve and gasket set. Still not running right

- ecoffman, Bridgeport, AL, US

problem #8

Aug 192015

Escape Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,120 miles

Issue: vehicle suddenly losing all acceleration, no throttle response, wrench light illuminated, happened 3 times.

The first time it happened, I was driving down the interstate approx 65mph when the vehicle suddenly lost all acceleration. I thought it stalled but I still had power and thankfully was able to get to the right lane and off the highway. The only light that came on was the wrench light. I turned off the vehicle and waited 10 mins. Started right back up, the light went off, and I was able to drive off like nothing had happened. I took it to my mechanic where he tried to pull the codes however no codes were stored in history. He suspected the throttle body but because there were not any codes, I basically had to wait until it happened again.

Exactly 1 week later, approx 200 miles, it happened again. Luckily I was on the back roads doing 35mph when it seemed to down shift and then the wrench light came on and lost all throttle response. Pulled over, turned off vehicle, waited a few minutes and turned back on. Of course the light went off and I drove off like normal. About 10 miles down the road it happened again, however, this time both the wrench and check engine light came on. I shut off the vehicle and when I turned it back on the light was still lit, so I was able to drive it to the mechanic.

He hooked it up and got the code P2111 from the history. He said I should bring it to Ford immediately because there is an extended warranty on the throttle body. He also said, don't shut off the vehicle more than 7 times because it will sometimes erase the history. I got it to Rye Ford the same day and they replaced the throttle body free of charge and didn't hassle me about it at all, thank God! A big thank you to James at Rye Ford. He made a very unpleasant and scary situation go away without having to argue and fight to have it fixed.

- Jessica M., Westchester, NY, US

problem #7

Jun 192014

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

WORSE CAR BUYING EXPERIENCE EVER ! I bought a Ford Escape and from the moment I took possession of this lemon (which dealer made it so easy and simple for me to get) I had problems and complaints. First of all , the Truck makes a noise when starting engine and continues when taking off, before changing gear. Truck hesitates, shakes and go into a tweaking shuddering mode. I took it to the dealer the first couple of months with no resolution to the problem.

On Thursday June 19th while driving on the highway the truck lost power. Wrench light, engine light and check engine lights soon lit up. Although functionality of all other systems maintained, truck would not advance. I checked the reference guide book and I took it to my mechanic who indicated truck needed a tune up which cost me 149.00dls. After tune up, the problem persisted. I got home and found a recall letter from Ford describing the same problem that my truck was having. I took the truck to Ford in Englewood, NJ. and although Tommy was helpful, it took another 100.00dls from me to change the spark plugs previously connected on tune up. He informed me that spark plugs were burned out due to a faulty connection during the service session by Ford. Truck is working but shaking continues and I'm afraid to drive it for safety reasons.

- terrero1964, Ny, NY, US

problem #6

Jul 122013

Escape LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

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

while driving the engine becomes unresponsive with no power

My 2010 Ford Escape while driving at 70 MPH on the freeway in traffic the engine stalls leaving me with no power to control my speed. As my car quickly reduces speed on a major freeway I attempt to get over to the shoulder out of harms way. Ford calls this non life threatening because the car is still controllable to get out of harms way. Really?? I took my truck to Don Davis Ford in Arlington TX and was immediately told that it was the throttle body after giving the check in girl my symptoms. That is when I realized how common this was if a check in girl not even a mechanic can diagnose my problem just by my description alone. . Part is not in stock and they have no idea when they will get it tells me it's day to day on the status. So this got escalated up to CSR at Ford. She said she would rush the part but doesn't know when it will be ready to ship. It has now been a week. And still no results or part available. Asked if they could give me a loaner car until mine is finished. Oh sorry but warranty has expired and its not covered so your on your own. What does customer service even mean??? Ford is blaming dealership dealership is blaming ford but I'm the one getting screwed! Oh both actually offered be a deal on a new car! Never again will buy a Ford and that's all I have ever owned. Google it this is so common and Ford does nothing!!!!

- Sherri M., Hurst, TX, US

problem #5

Jul 202013

Escape ES 3.5L 4 Cil

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,406 miles

I was driving normally on the highway and suddenly the wrench light turned on and the gas pedal wasn't working. The engine sounded like a waterboat engine on water. Had to pull over turned the SUV off and turned it on and it worked as it never happened?!?! However, next day happened twice... Went to the nearest Ford dealer and they spent almost 3 days to diagnosed it. It costed me almost $300 because warranty expired 4 months ago!!!

- ismaelpr, Guaynabo, PR, Puerto Rico

problem #4

Aug 102013

Escape ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

The problem started out as idling on right turns then progressed to idling at any time.

- Don S., Lancaster, OH, US

problem #3

Jul 032013

Escape Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,100 miles

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

Very unsafe! Stopped at red light, light changed & stepped on the gas, didn't move, started spuddering, ton of traffic behind me blowing horns of course...looked at my dash saw the little wrench light on, the car would move enough to get off the main road into parking lot. Called the dealer where I purchased the vehicle & asked what the hell was wrong and he say's oh that's a powertrain issue. Are you close, my response NO, well what is the mileage on the vehicle, told him and he says oh you will have to have it towed in at my expense of course. Oh and by the way my name is ...... when you bring it in. Then he says did you shut it off and restart, the light may go away and being able to drive, but it will do it again. So you need to get it in & remember my name is ......... most important was that I remembered what his name was so he obviously gets credit, commission or whatever for this defective part that is Ford's known problem! So I got on the highway after working, and drove to the exit I needed to, but the more lights I got stuck at, RPM's starting dropping & wanting to stall. About the 3rd time of stopping it died twice. Repeated this a couple more times before I was able to park in the garage!

Update from Jul 21, 2013: Throttle Body defective

- jpetitt, Medina, OH, US

problem #2

Jun 292013

Escape XLT 2.5L L4 Dohc 16v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,363 miles

Potentially deadly problem. While driving in heavy traffic my engine suddenly became unresponsive. It started sputtering and stopped accerlerating. I was in the middle lane and had to coast over to the right hand lane in front of on-coming traffic in order to get off the road to safety. Luckily, the on-coming car had good breaks (and a good sounding horn!) and just missed colliding with my vehicle. If I would have been on the intersate, I would most likely have had a terrible crash and someone would have been injured or killed. This is a very serious problem and I just read about another "victim" of the same thing happening to them four times and was never fixed. I was told by the Ford Dealership repair shop that it could be something concerning the throttle. I am afraid of driving this car again. I am a widow getting ready to retire and cannot afford to buy a new vehicle nor can I afford to pay for major repairs. Not to mention the danger to myself and all other vehicles if this happens again and causes a crash!!! Do Not Buy a 2010 Ford Escape

Update from Jul 5, 2013: I had my car towed to the Ford dealership and they replaced the throttle body box. I am definitely afraid to drive the vehicle even with the new part. I feel that this never should have happened in the first place and that it could easily happen again. I or another innocent person could have been killed or seriously injured. I believe Ford should be investigating this problem especially since reading the account of another woman who had the same issue. I believe there are other Ford Escape owners out there that have had the same problem. I have always had faith in Ford products, but now that faith has been shattered and all I want to do is buy another non-Ford vehicle.

- Elaine R., Palm Bay, FL, US

problem #1

Mar 202013

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I was on the interstate in the passing lane going approximately 75 mph when the car lurched, the wrench light came on, and the car began to slow down. I could not accelerate. I had to merge into faster traffic in the right lane in order to get off the road and out of harms way. I was able to turn off the car and restart it and then continue on to work. We took my car in to the dealer after the first three time this happened, and they said they couldn't find any code errors, but that they thought it could be the throttle body. Well, no kidding....that is what is being investigated! They said that it would cost at least $300 to work on the throttle body, but that wasn't an official estimate. Lord knows what it will cost to fix. This problem is extremely dangerous, and they know about it!! This needs to be a recall before it happens to someone who cannot get to a safe place to restart their car!!! Please, if anyone out there has any "pull", let's get this recalled so that no one gets killed. This is not a simple issue, this could kill someone either driving the Ford, or an innocent driver who happens to be near the Ford. Four times in four weeks is entirely unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

- Wendi R., Woodstock, VA, US

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