The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Escape · 2010

2010 Ford Escape. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index516100 = average car
Complaints1,094NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold191,026U.S. model year
Per 100K sold573complaints
Year rank#22 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 7

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD22 / 28 / 24Regular$2,600
2.5L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD21 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700
2.5L 4-cylAuto 6-spd4WD20 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD34 / 31 / 32Regular$1,950
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)4WD30 / 27 / 29Regular$2,150
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD19 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spd4WD18 / 23 / 20Regular$3,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,000 and 89,000 miles. Median 60,000, from 1,818 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Speed control52,00041,000–65,300549
Transmission & drivetrain51,20040,000–65,800485
Engine52,60042,000–68,000477
Fuel or ev drive system56,00041,600–75,000355
Steering114,60086,100–145,600336

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control43%
Transmission & drivetrain36%
Engine34%
Fuel or ev drive system24%
Electrical11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2,12932319030

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 16V777000 Oct 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.

    Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is

  • 15E045000 Jun 2015 Suspension / Front / Wheel Bearing

    Defect. The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

    Risk. Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

  • 14V284000 May 2014 Steering / Electric Power Assist System

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

    Risk. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July

  • 10E043000 Sep 2010 Equipment

    Defect. MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

    Risk. AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

    Remedy. MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

  • 10V222000 May 2010 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION".

    Risk. A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

    Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 AND FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED CALL 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). REPRESENTATIVES ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of power steering while driving20152018
ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction20132014
ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction20122013
ClosedRear liftgate window glass breakage20112011

Manufacturer communications 49

Ford filed 49 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The transmission may leak fluid from a seal
  • Illuminated mil or safety stop now message, or a no
  • On the left hand half shaft seal, there is a fluid leak from the transmission because of wear…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20076190165,596Brakes
2008227352156,544Transmission & drivetrain
2009103143173,044Transmission & drivetrain
20105161,094191,026Speed control
2011189560254,293Speed control
201258168261,008Speed control
2013155557295,993Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data