Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,698 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2010 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 23 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Dec 072012

Escape

  • 38,000 miles

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

I had just left my house in my 2010 Ford Escape on December 7th when suddenly the engine bogged down completely and was no longer responsive to the movement of the accelerator pedal even though the engine was still running. The "wrench" warning light came on and the car slowed to a crawl. I pulled over and was able to turn the car around and return home (1/4 mile) with the vehicle moving approximately 2-3 mph. After I returned home, I restarted the vehicle and the "wrench" light extinguished and the car seemed okay. I drove a different vehicle to work that day and when I returned home, I put my obdii scanner on the vehicle and retrieved a "P2111" pending malfunction code. I cleared the code, started the vehicle and drove it without incident until December 18th when I had the same problem again while driving in moderate traffic. I was approximately 25 miles away from my house when the engine, once again, was no longer responsive to the movement of the accelerator pedal. I was able to get the car out of traffic by pulling into a left turn lane. The "wrench" light was again on. I turned the engine off and restarted it. The "wrench" light went out and the car, once again seemed to run okay. I cautiously made the 25 mile trip home with the vehicle. I put the scanner on the car again, and no malfunction code was present. I had been fortunate this time as I was in moderate traffic moving at about 45 mph when the incident occurred. I believe this is a serious safety issue and I could only imagine what could happen if this problem occurred while in traffic on the highway.

- Guyton, GA, USA

problem #43

Dec 082012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Serious and life-threatening malfunction impeded my ability to control my 2010 Escape occurred while driving 50mph on a very busy highway. My Escape stalled suddenly without any warning what so ever in the middle of the lane while driving on the busy highway. As I tried to continue driving, pushing the throttle pedal, the Escape would not go, it slowed down suddenly on it's own. I was able to ease off the payment to the side of the lane; however, I was almost hit in the rear by a auto behind me before I could get off the payment. I was fortunate to have been at a place where I could ease off the payment. The highway is curvy and hilly. This scared me to death. A wrench light came on indicating a malfunction of the throttle/powertrain. The engine was running fine. I turned off the engine and waited a few minutes, then I cranked it and it cranked fine. The wrench light went off. I tried driving it again, and once I pulled back into the highway, giving it gas, it would barely go, so I eased back again. I called roadside assistance and had it towed to the dealership. After it was inspected I was told the electric throttle body had malfunctioned and needed replacing. It was the caused of the sudden stalling while I was driving. My life as well as others were put in a dangerous situation because of this malfunction. I understand that there has been a lot of complaints like mine already filed here. Ford should issue a recall immediately before any deaths occur. I had to pay $470 to get this taken care since my warranty was out 3/36,000. I was told that this was not covered by the powertrain 5/60,000.

- Silver Creek , GA, USA

problem #42

May 122012

Escape

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph the vehicle stalled and overheated. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised that the radiator seal was fractured, causing a leak. In addition, they advised that the rear axle seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the radiator and rear axle seals. The manufacturer was contacted and provided 100 percent coverage of the repair. Also, the contact stated that the vehicle would shift in and out of gear without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where they advised that the solenoid and another unknown component needed replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The current mileage was approximately 67,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Curtis, MI, USA

problem #41

Nov 262012

Escape 4-cyl

  • 44,000 miles

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

Engine stalls, loss of power, random stop - obd code P2111 throttle body.

- Cape Canveral, FL, USA

problem #40

Aug 092012

Escape

  • 42,000 miles
I was driving on the highway when suddenly I lost all acceleration and had to coast off the road. A wrench was lit up on my dashboard and although I had no acceleration, my engine was still sputtering/running. After turning the car off for a few minutes and restarting it, it ran fan and the wrench light was off. It ran fine for the next week until it happen again. I was pullin onto the access road to the highway and the car again lost all acceleration, but continued to run. This continued all the way home, which I arrived safely, luckily. I called a Ford dealership and they were unable to get a service manager on the phone. They were supposed to call me back, which they never did. I ended up taking my car to another shop near my home and they told me that my electronic throttle body had gone out. They had recently made this fix to two other Ford Escapes, which concerned me. They also had to get the replacement piece directly from Ford, which also concerns me because I am now convinced it is a faulty piece altogether. I still feel at risk as they have only replaced the piece which I feel may still by faulty. I am disappointed that Ford was put so many people at risk and my hope is that this is researched and is recalled for peoples safety. I feel so blessed that my child was not in the car with me during these incidents although I was extremely scared for my own well being. I would like Ford to be held responsible for this.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #39

Nov 092010

Escape

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gears would shift hard and long. The failure occurred intermittently. When the gear was shifted into reverse and then back to drive, the vehicle would shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who rebuilt the transmission. After the rebuilding of the transmission, the gear continued to shift hard and long. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on numerous occasions and while performing a diagnostic test, they advised that there were no failure codes generated and they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle continued to exhibit problems with the gears shifting correctly. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was 57,000.

- Burlington, WA, USA

problem #38

Nov 062012

Escape

  • 41,000 miles

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

While driving wrench light and engine light illuminated with sudden loss of power very dangerous. If it would have happened.5 miles later merging onto highway during rush hour could have been fatal.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #37

Nov 052012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 14,499 miles
I have a 2010 Ford Escape that surges forward when I come to a stop. The RPM rises and I have to stand on the brake to keep it going forward. No fault lights come on. I have had it checked a week a go, they could not find any problem. No codes or anything. Please help me with this matter.I, M afraid to have my wife drive this car. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lambertville, MI, USA

problem #36

Sep 262012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 47,000 miles
Vehicle began throttling while driving on the freeway. Engine light came on. As I pulled over, vehicle slowed down jumping forward. Applied brakes and still kept jumping forward. Switched gear to park and car stalled. Turned on after a few tries. Continues to jump forward and shake. After a few minutes problem went away and vehicle drove normal. Three weeks later same occurrence. This week another occurrence of the problem. Contacted sunrise Ford dealer in North hollywood, ca and was told I need to pay $150 diagnostic fee.

- Van Nuys , CA, USA

problem #35

Sep 052012

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
While driving wrench light came on & with a sudden jerk Ford Escape's gas pedal stopped acceleration. I pulled car on the side. Engine was still running but gas pedal was not responsive. We were waiting for police & tow truck with the hazards light on & someone hit the car from behind & broke suspension etc. I went to Ford dealership & they were not at all concerned. Then I went to another dealership & they said there computer found throttle problem & they changed it. Very dangerous car stops on a highway. I read multiple complaints regarding this matter. Please look in to the matter to save lives. It could be a tractor trailer coming at fast speed. Thank god we are saved.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #34

Jul 222012

Escape

  • 48,500 miles

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

I was driving and the car just lost power. I had just exited the hwy. I pulled over to the side of the road put the car in park and turned the key back off and the car restarted. Then this happened again about 5 minutes later. Then two weeks later is happened again same situation. It happened about 3- 4 times. We thought maybe it was bad gas -- so we refilled with premium gas....two weeks later it happened again 3 times in a row. On a major highway -- it was very scary..I took it to the dealer they found nothing - did not charge me and there was no report that I even took the car in to them.3 weeks after that..it happened constantly but I was on a trip away from home -- it started back up every time..I it happened 9 time in one day. 3 times on the interstate going about 60 mph -- it was very upsetting..when I got home I took it to the dealer and they said it was the ABS and it would cost 800$+ -- I told them to keep the car and drive it until the issue I had happened to them -- they had it 2- 3 days and it finally happened to them when they had the diagnostics on the car...it was the throttle sensor...they charged me $400+ and it is now fixed--my sister had an Escape an did have the same issue -- my 83 year old mother has the same car and I would not want this to happen to her! thanks

- Pisgah Forest, NC, USA

problem #33

Jul 222011

Escape

  • 15,357 miles
Transmission slams into gear feels like someone ran into you. Does it a couple time a month but it feels like it's going to break something it causes the car to lurch forward or backwards depending on you putting it in D or R. it also has started slamming into gear while shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

- Poland, ME, USA

problem #32

Sep 102012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 45,862 miles
My wife and I each drive a Ford Escape, one a 2010 and the other a 2009. In the last month we have each experienced a sudden and unexpected complete loss of power. In her case, she was driving on an interstate at highway speeds in moderate traffic. I was driving in Suburban traffic at 40 mph. In each case, the engine suddenly stopped, no power, and the warning lights came on. After about five minutes, you were able to re-start, but the problem persists, so it is not safe to drive the car. The repair costs about $550 for each one, the dealer indicated it was a throttle body and motor assembly..

- Pensacola, , FL, USA

problem #31

Nov 142011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
As I was driving the car the throttle suddenly would not let me 'go' any further and the car slowed to a stop in the middle of the road. When stopped, it shuddered in place until I turned the car off. This happened another time just after a busy intersection, but Ford apparently does not deem this a safety concern, even though this is a family vehicle and the consequences for problems like this could be terrible. The vehicle has been in the shop 5 times in the last year for the above problem twice, another couple of times for leaking transmission fluid (which I am also led to believe could cause the car to stop in traffic if the leak remains undetected one of these times), and another for hard shifts both accelerating and decelerating. All of these problems are ones that Ford seems unable to fix and doesn't seem to care happened. I keep waiting for a recall to be issued for at least some of these problems, since in several situations I do feel very strongly this was a safety issue and do not appreciate my children having to ride in an unreliable car. I also do not have the money to throw at a 2010 car every couple of months. I would appreciate your looking into these problems. Thanks!

- Lizella, GA, USA

problem #30

Sep 272012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
While traveling about 20 mph down the street, the vehicle completely lost responsiveness to pressure on the gas pedal. The wrench light came on indicated a power train malfunction. I drifted off to the side of the road and turned the car off. I then waited about a minute and turned the car back on again. Everything was fine and the wrench light went away. The car drove fine for another 50 miles or so. Then it happened again. There is no warning and when it happens nothing you do can make the car respond. Turning the car off then on again solved this problem. Through searching through this database, it is apparent this a common problem with Ford Escape throttle bodies. Most likely a defect in the part.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #29

Sep 112012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 39,130 miles
While driving on a normal road, the vehicle's wrench light (on the dash) illuminated and the vehicle became unresponsive. That is, pressing the accelerator yielded no results. This was followed by a shuddering stall-out (engine shut down) when the brakes were applied. The first attempt to restart the engine resulted in a clicking noise. The engine started without fault on the second attempt. The vehicle was driven without incident for the remainder of the day and the following two days. On the 4th day, the incident repeated. Normal vehicle operational conditions are short (10 to 15 minutes) one-way trips. Ford technicians found the throttle body was sticking in closed position. A new throttle body was installed.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #28

Sep 112012

Escape 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
While pulling off from a stop sign under moderate acceleration the transmission "flared" dropping out of gear causing the vehicle to stop accelerating, and the engine to rev. After letting off the accelerator the vehicle regained power. This happened numerous times over the day. Finally took it to a dealer for inspection.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #27

Sep 012012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 32,900 miles
Less than two weeks after purchasing the Ford Escape, I was headed East from South kingstown, ri to MA on rt 79/24 at 6:30 a.M. driving at approximately 60 miles an hour, without any warning, the car came to a complete stop and the wrench light appeared on the control panel. I was without a cell phone. In the distance I could see an off ramp and was about to walk. I successfully restarted the car, exited the highway, to return to ri. After driving approximately 25 miles, the car again, without any warning, came to a complete stop in seekonk and the wrench light again came on the control panel. Again, I restarted the car and proceeded cautiously to South kingstown, when the car again stopped in wakefield, and the wrench light indicating a power train failure appeared on the control panel. I immediately contacted the dealer where the car was purchased. It still had a month left on the original warranty. Upon inspection the service department indicated that they could not find anything wrong. They told me that unless the problem could be recreated, they would not replace any parts. Because it was labor day weekend, I had to wait until Tuesday and took the car to a Ford dealer in narragansett ri, where they kept the car for three days. They couldn't replicate the incident and said that unless they could simulate it, Ford would not pay to replace any parts. The consumer stated the vehicle has been to the dealer four times, to try and rectify the stalling issue, but to no avail. Updated IVOQ 10/22/12

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #26

Sep 032012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 36,420 miles
Driving vehicle on busy highway with cruise control at 60 mph. The dash wrench light came on and the engine idled down, back-fired and would not acclerate. We had to maneuver off the road and stop the engine for a few minutes then restart. It then ran like it should. Ironically, we were headed to the local Ford dealership to have this checked as this failure had happened three (3) times prior. Yesterday, the service tech diagnosed the problem as a defective throttle body and was replaced with a new one. We were not given warranty coverage because the mileage was 36,4xx when it arrved at the service department. An accident waiting to happen for someone else.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #25

Aug 132012

Escape

  • 33,000 miles
Multiple noises started to occur. The first was a cracking noise when accelerating, second came a clicking noise while braking and then a howling sound. The crackling noise has yet to be discovered, the clicking was the drive shaft and rotors. The howling noise is supposedly the transfer case. Additionally, the gears do not seem to catch between 50-65mph.

- Allston, MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?