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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,170 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 3 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #517

Jun 282015

Escape

  • 120,000 miles

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

The first time it happened, we were on our way to a funeral, an hour away, driving our 2010 Escape about 55 mph. Everything was fine and then the car jerked, the wrench light came on - had no acceleration, no power steering, no control. It was scary! luckily, my husband was able to pull to the side of the road without incident. Turned the car off and said a prayer of thanks! car started back up after a couple of minutes, although not easily. Did the same thing on our way back home. Suffice it to say, this problem continued to happen. Found out the car is going into "safe mode". my husband drives an hour to work (each way), all highway, approx. 70-75 mph and about halfway through his commute, the problem will happen. He has to get out of the way of the other drivers and find a safe spot to park. Not always an easy task on the highway. Took the car to the local Ford dealership for this problem and other recall work (14S05 and 13B17). They told us they would take care of the issues. The next day, the wrench light came on, the check engine light is on and same problem still happens, although now the car drives in a lower gear and eventually you can accelerate, but not quickly. Still not safe on the highway. Found out today, dealership will look at the diagnostic code for $70 to see if there is a problem. Ridiculous!! they aren't the ones in an unsafe car!

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #516

Dec 042013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. While driving 40 mph, an unknown warning light illuminated and the vehicle speed independently decreased to 10 mph. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver and required excessive force. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 10/06/15 updated 11/08/2017

- Elizaville, NY, USA

problem #515

Jun 272015

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
While driving at a regular speed of aprx 60mph, my car would make impulses and accelerate by itself.on a couple of times, I almost rear ended the cars ahead of me. And when I would come to a stop sign or red light, my car would stop in the middle of the road. Took it for an inspection, the told me it was the trottle what was giving me a problem. I looked up online and it seems like this is a very common problem for Ford Escapes 2010. Please take care of this. Its an awful feeling when you are driving on a curb at 60 mph and suddenly your car accelerates. Don't wait until someone gets hurt to do something about this. Its always better and cheaper to prevent problems instead of fixing them.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #514

May 162015

Escape

  • 105,575 miles

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

I was driving on the road and my gas pedal went soft. I could not get any speed and I had to pull over in order to avoid from being hit in the middle of traffic.now my car is in the shop which cost money.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #513

Feb 132015

Escape

  • 73,165 miles
Turn into a parking space and hit the brake to stop, car surged forward and jumped the curb. Hit a bus shelter, side swiped a tree, then jump curb back to parking lot before Escape came to a full stop. First time sled on a small patch of ice car surged brakes never took hold slid and avoided and street light and a tree before coming to a full stop. Took car to shop for oil change had brakes checked said no problem. But sometimes this SUV has a power surge when appling brakes.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #512

Apr 052015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Driving normally, throttle control powertrain warning light comes on, check engine light comes on, car gas pedal does not work, engine idles and does not accelerate. When you shut the car all the way off and wait then restart the engine the car works as normal again.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

problem #511

Dec 232014

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles

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

When driving primarily at low or declining speeds as in anticipation of a stop light or turn into my driveway, when I slow down and then slightly accelerate (either into the driveway or if the light changes before I have fully stopped), I notice a stall or pause in acceleration. This has happened a number of times but I only recently realized the consistent scenario. I had possibly the same symptom at higher speed when driving on the freeway, noticing the speed would seem to fluctuate oddly while in rapid and quick succession like it was trying to decide whether to accelerate or decelerate. I am very concerned that this is a sign of a failing throttle body per a Ford recall. After reading about this failure, I am convinced it is so. My dealership tells me they can only diagnose a total failure of this part--which seems to me like my life is at risk to being hit from behind or from the side if the car stalls in heavy traffic. I am becoming afraid to drive this car. If the part is bad are we just going to sacrifice a few people's lives before holding a congressional investigation"? how many is enough"

- Redmond , WA, USA

problem #510

Oct 212014

Escape

  • 80,500 miles
I have had the two recalls fixed in July for my 2010 Ford Escape. However, in the past two months my car has been in the shop regarding the (wrench light) throttle/powertrain light coming on. My car looses power when I accelerate and the light comes on. It goes off once I turn off the car which is making it very difficult for the dealership to identify the problem. They claim they can't find anything and unfortunately I can't get the car to the dealership when the light is on. They have run a history for the codes that have come up on the car, but there are no recent codes/problems. I keep telling them that I am having the same problems listed in the Ford recall notice but I am told that there is nothing they can do if there is no code showing a problem. I am terrified to drive my son in this car. I also commute 100 miles daily down a very busy highway and I am worried that the car will die and I won't be able to pull off the road safely. Ford needs to do something immediately because the problem with the Escape has not been fixed!

- Raytown, MO, USA

problem #509

Sep 302014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
I was driving home after picking my children up from school. I was going about 45 mph when suddenly I lost acceleration to the car. The car decreased speed very fast and the vehicle behind me had to slam on their brakes and came very close to hitting me. A wrench light came on. Come to find out Ford is aware of a throttle issue and have a extended warranty. I am confused to why this hasn't been called for recall. This is so dangerous to all of us. The safety of my family has been put in danger due to this issue that Ford is aware. Including the NHTSA is aware of this issue. Are we waiting for lives to be taken to make this a recall" not once Ford sent me a letter, email, or even called me to inform there was a extended warranty to get this issue fixed. As I spoke with Ford, one of the agents said "we are being proactive and getting this issue fixed for free." What a joke. I can't imagine if I was on a major highway going 65mph. This is very dangerous and needs to be resolved right away. Is there a number of people that must die before NHTSA make this a recall? if NHTSA and Ford know there is an issue with this equipment why not get this fixed"

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #508

Jul 272014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 27,600 miles
My family and I were traveling hwy 113 in va coming back to pa from nc. My husband accelerated to pass a vehicle. After passing, our vehicle began losing acceleration...my husband pushed the gas pedal to the floor and was not getting any acceleration. The wrench light illuminated and we had to make an emergency stop on the side of the highway while cars were passing us and coming up on us quickly. We came to a stop and the vehicle began to stall. My husband shut the vehicle off, waiting a minute and restarted. The vehicle seemed to run fine the rest of the way to pa. We called the dealership the following day (Monday) and were told they could not get the vehicle in until 8/4. I began finding info on the web regarding Ford's customer satisfaction program 13N03 regarding the throttle body. I took the vehicle in and was told there were not any codes showing on the computer. They refused to replace the throttle body. I was told to drive the vehicle and if it happened again to bring it back. I refused and insisted they replace it. I am now still fighting with Ford to reimburse me. I have sent letters to Ford only to receive a "form letter" back from them suggesting that I take the vehicle to the dealership to determine if the throttle body needs replacement...I had it replaced already...they obviously do not read letters sent to them. I will keep fighting but I do not understand why the NHTSA continues to receive complaints about this issue and does nothing about it. It is a huge safety issue! shame on Ford and the NHTSA!

- Morgantown, PA, USA

problem #507

Sep 292014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

While driving into work with my cruise control set at 60mph, my vehicle suddenly sputtered and the cruise control disengaged and there seemed to be a loss of power. I remember this description from the throttle bottle notification I received from Ford a few months back. I had taken my Escape into the dealership on 9/11/14 to have this taken care off and now 2 weeks later my vehicle now has the throttle control/powertrain warning light on and is showing all signs of the notification from Ford. I know this issue has already been addressed, but now I am questioning as to whether or not Ford is actually fixing the problem.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #506

Sep 192014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 88,500 miles
Acceleration ability stopped abruptly on the interstate; had to coast to shoulder. Engine trouble/wrench light illuminated. Had it towed to transmission shop. Have fully documented P2112 code indicating throttle body assembly problem. Vehicle has experienced other shuddering/gear changing in the past, documented with the dealership. Ford refuses to service it under recall extended warranty because they didn't see the code. I did not know it should have been towed directly to them. Would be nice to receive this information from the dealership before it occurs. Dealership told me "next time" it happens to pull over, turn it off, restart it and drive it in to them for the necessary service. Ford customer service toll free representative said that it is not save once the light is on and should not be restarted and driven again. This is ludicrous: They are not taking responsibility nor providing safe and accurate information.

- Maple Plain, MN, USA

problem #505

Feb 012012

Escape

  • 26,000 miles
I was driving to go to lunch when my throttle body just stopped working in the middle of the road. I was unable to drive my vehicle to a safe location out of the way of traffic. I had to shut it off several times to just get it a side road. I have contacted Ford in regards to being reimbursed for having this part replaced which I paid for out of my own pocket and they are not willing to reimburse me stating that the date for reimbursement was over July 31st 2014. I have found on the NHTSA that the warranty is good for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the data of original purchase, which I purchased the car in November 2012 and there is only 55,000 miles on it which is clearly under the warranty. I had the part replaced at bartow Ford in bartow, fl and the are refusing to reimburse me as well.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #504

Sep 042014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
While on a busy 6 lane hwy., I was at a center turn lane and completed my turn when light changed, then went to make my right turn on to the next road.... when my cars started to shake very badly and lost all power down to a crawl, and then stall, with cars behind me almost rear ending myself!! with horns blaring I was able to restart it to only have it do it again, only this time I was able to pull into the oil change shop there on that corner, where they checked for codes & found the "tac system stuck open"... they checked all fluids and I drove to the local repair shop and went on to work to start researching the problem!!

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #503

Aug 262014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
Me and my son were out I was driving around 35- 40 mph and my car started to feel strange out of the blue my wrench light comes on and then my engine light I lose all power I am hitting gas pedal nothing happens. Just stops on busy street. I was terrified for our safety. I turn off car wait a few mins and start again it happened 3 times in a 3 mile radius. Its parked and not risking my life or somebody else.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #502

Aug 012014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
While traveling about 65 mph down the highway my 2010 Ford Escape's engine stopped completely. A warning light (the wrench on the Ford models) came on as a I coasted to a safe spot on the highway. Steering gave out a bit too. Car started right back up after I found a safe location to stop.

- Suffield, CT, USA

problem #501

Jun 252014

Escape

  • miles
I was driving along and my car stopped receiving input from the gas pedal at 50 mph entering the highway. This happened a month ago. This has happened twice as well as my car taking off when I accelerate from stopped position. Today 7/31/14 the gas pedal failed to work again when in a turn thank god nobody was behind me. You guys know there is a throttle body issue with all these Ford Escapes but yet you let them get away with this. Does someone have to die from a rear end collision because the throttle stays closed on the highway? people's lives are at stake here. My wife and kid are in this car what happens I go to pull out and it decides to just stay stuck halfway into the lane bam I get T boned then have to sue everyone that knew about this issue.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #500

Jul 302014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 96,632 miles
Vehicle had exited from freeway and was stopped on an exit ramp stop light. When gas was pushed to move vehicle from stopped position, the engine accelerated but the vehicle would not move forward. Initially, the wrench light appeared on dash and then later, this disappeared and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was taken to a nearby auto parts facility where a computer code evaluation was completed- this yielded the same code appearing 3 times: A problem involving the throttle actuator control system sensor. The technician stated that when the same problem code appears 3 times during the check, this accurately pin-points the problem.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #499

Jan 232014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 53,125 miles
While driving at 55mph on road. I lost all power to gas pedal the car was hard to steer to the side of the road. Put car in park shut car off.waited a few minutes an started car up. It ran this happens 2 or 3 times on the same day then it might not happen again for a week or two this a ongoing problem that Ford should place a safety recall not on soft customer satisfaction program#13no3 this is a serious safety issue.

- Frankfort, NY, USA

problem #498

Oct 092013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Throughout all of last winter, I had issues with my 2010 Ford Escape stalling. This occurred countless times, and nearly caused many accidents. It most frequently occurred when it was very cold (zero or below), and on some occasions would stall numerous times in a row, or fail to re-start. No warning light of any sort ever came on. After paying well over $1000 to get various things "fixed" that I was told would solve the problem, it continued happening. Then I received the first bulletin letter regarding throttle body issues and took my car to the Ford dealership in South burlington, vt. They proceeded to tell me that because they couldn't duplicate the issue, or get a code, they couldn't help me. A few weeks later when it happened again, the wrench light came on for the first time, so I drove directly to the dealership again. I was told once again that they couldn't fix the throttle body issue, and tried charging me over $300 for diagnosing my car (looking into the issue of why the wrench was illuminated). I refused to pay, because this is a Ford issue, it's well documented all over the internet, and it's something they need to pay for. My car is still not fixed.

- Essex, VT, USA

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