Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Additionally, on several occasions, the vehicle failed to immediately start. The contact replaced the ignition switch, battery, starter, and alternator; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 150,000.
1.2010 Ford Escape Electronic Throttle Body issue investigated by the NHTSA. 2. Hesitations, surges, stalls. Ford has issued a CSP 13N03 with time and mileage limits. This is a safety issue effecting many Ford vehicles and the symptoms may not surface until beyond the CSP 13N03 time limits imposed by Ford, as in my case. These electronic throttle body hesitations, surges and stalls are very dangerous and result in compromised safety for the driver, their passengers and others on the road. I have come very close to a collision on two separate occasions because of this issue. The NHTSA should force Ford to reclassify this issue as a recall with no time nor mileage limits or lift the current program time and mileage limits for people like me who are beyond the time limit who have just recently developed this problem. This is a mechanical defect as well as a safety issue. 3. …
My car is a limited version which equipped a Microsoft SYNC system which providing backup camera and vehicle system setting and information such as hybrid status, driven mode, battery charging status, GPS navigation, etc. Just because this 'Upgrade', the clock and date setting is different with regular escape hybrid cars which comes from the satellite only. Driver could adjust the hour and minute, but the day, month, and year would be reset to a certain day of 2006 if battery changing. After that, the date could be updated by GPS signal automatically. It was working well until one year ago. Now, my car is showing Oct, 2006 and running day after day. I did some research on internet and found a lot of drivers with same issue. …
My power steering went out after I got my car. My starter doesn't work I have to use a button on my keys to always start my car the key will not start my car. It's very hard to turn my car and it went out while I was making a turn and myself siblings and boyfriend almost got hit by an oncoming car. The car has not been inspected, I can have my car looked at most likely upon request unless I have work but I can come in the next available day. There were no messages or warnings to my car or any symptoms before they went out.
My power steering keeps going in and out while I am driving. If I turn off the car and then turn it back on it comes back on but it is happening very frequently and will go out again as soon as I start driving. I was told that there is a recall for this and want more information. It is not safe.
I have researched ford escape recalls. Each recall I have seen such as epas retention guide the bearing and fuel system is exactly what's wrong with my vehicle now. However when I look up the recall by Vin number I am only shown that I have a recall for the fuel system problem
Takata recall / Ford defective product low mileage Escape involved in a frontal crash and rear ended another vehicle (2005 accura) and the air bag system failed to deploy. $13,000 Escape was totaled. This is unacceptable.
Called Ford motor company customer service today regarding a used 2010 Ford Escape that we bought (from a Nissan dealership) yesterday. I researched the vehicle & learned that is a problem with the "electronic throttle body" (etb) in this vehicle. I was also told by the Ford csr that there a "redesigned" etb part that is used to replace the original part that is prone to fail suddenly. It also appears that sudden failure of the etb which according to Ford is prone to fail could result in sudden stalling and/or reduced power to the car.... Which could place the drive (my 16yo son, new driver) in a potentially dangerous and/or life threatening situation while driving. The Ford csr acknowledged that, and even after he reportedly discussed my concern with his "manager", informed me that Ford would only replace the part "...after it fails". …
While making a turn, the electrical steering assist disengaged for a few seconds and a beeping alarm sounded three times. This happened to me on another occasion. After the second time I got the car back home and parked it until I could determine what the problem is. Found the same happenings on the NHTSA website. There was a recall on this problem and my Escape was one of the recall vins. In 2014, I took it to Ford dealership and they did whatever was required at that time. I never had an issue before the recall, and they apparently did the replacement to keep the electrical assist from disengaging. From my understanding, they extended the warranty 10 years or 150,000 miles. My Escape is at 191,000 miles currently. Ford service says they cannot fix it without me covering the cost, and if another recall is issued, Ford May reimburse me. …
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. …
Electrical complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 216 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Ford Escape, 10% of the model year's 2,070 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Escape electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.