Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, and then stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times and she was able to avoid having an accident. The contact stated that the power steering also became inoperable, and the steering column seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,246.
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.
I was stopped at a traffic light, with the brake engaged, and my car lunged forward into the car ahead of me, damaging it's liftgate (minivan) and bumper. I initially thought someone must have rear-ended my car, pushing me into the other car, but I was not hit from behind. My foot was on the brake the entire time. I am concerned this might happen again, injuring someone possibly in a crosswalk, or lunging me into cross traffic.
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. …
On August 31, 2015 I was leaving an airport and accelerating to merge onto a highway. I believe I was close to 60mph when I felt something in my car change. All of the electronics were still working, so I knew it was not an issue with my battery. The wrench light appeared and I realized I was no longer able to accelerate. I immediately got over to the right lane and by this time my speed had dropped to 40mph. I was able to safely pull over and put my car into park. The rpms spiked and I turned my car off. After waiting a minute or so I was able to restart my car with no problem. I got back onto the highway and took my exit. Maybe 5-7 miles from the location of the first incident, I was driving approximately 40mph down a 2-lane street when the same thing happened. This time both the wrench light and the engine light were on. …
This vechical is being financed through central auto sales of hot springs, arkansas. This vechical has serious issues, I contacted central auto about my car not functioning properly. It kept stalling on freeway that I was barely missed by a diesal truck hitting me. I told them it was the throttle body control power train that's keep stalling. They picked the car up kept it for 2days didn't fix it but wanted to charge me $344 for repairs that wasn't done. Got car back in same position and it stalled again on me in middle of freeway almost causing a crash. I had to buy my part and had someone to put the throttle body on. Now it's the steering wheel it won't turn properly it's so hard to turn like it's lock cause it make a clicking sound before it completely lock. I contacted the dealership and told them what the problem was and they sent me a text told me to do whatever I want. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed to handle rapid acceleration when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The transmission remained in a higher gear despite the driver decelerating and the vehicle surged to a high rate of speed, which increased the risk of a crash. The contact heard an abnormal noise, the transmission was hesitant, and the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The contact had to drive in first gear (less than 25 MPH) because of the failure. Dewey moore Ford (143 tx-49, hughes springs, tx 75656, [phone]) diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced and no transmission recalls were issued for this year, make, and model vehicle. The manufacturer issued nine technical service bulletins regarding the power train. …
For about a month, when I would first begin to leave my residence, the Ford Escape would surge forward maybe 5 to 10 feet while already in motion on the street. Then the Escape stalled completely when I slowed down to make a turn... Thank god I did not turn in front of some on-coming vehicles. The Escape has also felt like it wanted to stall several other times while driving around town before it finally did just before that turn I already mentioned. Ford has not offered to buy this vehicle back (outside of a trade-in for a new purchase) but I sure wish to god they would. I had the vehicle looked at by Ford & they had to replace the throttle body for the third/3rd time! It is under a 150,000 mile recall for this very problem. Our vehicle has just over 70,000 miles & we have had to have the throttle body replaced 3 times! We bought the Escape brand new... …
I had my Escape in for the recall to have the throttle body updated in 8/6/2014. At the time of the recall I had not had any problems with the throttle. 1 year later while driving on the highway I lost acceleration, my cruise went off and the wrench light came on, pulled over and started it up again,no wrench light. Happens again. Also when I slow down and stop for lights, stop sign the rpms go up and down like it's going to kill. Made appointment to have it checked, of course I will get stuck paying for it but will fight till my dying day. Ford get your [redacted] together and fix this issue. As soon as I can I will sell and not buy another Ford product for the rest of my life. Social network here I come. I will holler at the tops of my lungs so every one hears how Ford sucks. I will update after the appointment with the Ford dealership!!!
Acceleration complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2010 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 558 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2010 Ford Escape, 27% of the model year's 2,070 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Escape acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2010 Ford Escape, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Escape acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.