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2010 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

58 reports with mileage · 1 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports
98,000 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS AND THE CONDITION CONTINUED WITH THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS AND THE CONDITION CONTINUED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILING TO RESPOND WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONDITION WAS COMMON AND THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810861

61,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10736225

85,300 miles · May 28, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEED, SUCH AS STOPPED AT LIGHT OR SLOWING WAY DOWN TURNING INTO DRIVE WAY, CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF, I PUT IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. CAN NOT EVER TELL WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. NOW THE CAR IS JERKING AS I AM DRIVING IT AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH AND 60-65 MPH. IT SEEMS TO SLIP OR MISSING SHIFTING AND JERKS VERY…

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THE CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEED, SUCH AS STOPPED AT LIGHT OR SLOWING WAY DOWN TURNING INTO DRIVE WAY, CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF, I PUT IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. CAN NOT EVER TELL WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. NOW THE CAR IS JERKING AS I AM DRIVING IT AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH AND 60-65 MPH. IT SEEMS TO SLIP OR MISSING SHIFTING AND JERKS VERY HARD. ARE THESE TWO THINGS RELATED?. I TOOK IT INTO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO DO THAT THERE, WHILE RUNNING IT WHILE UP ON THE LIFT. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE IF I CAN NOT GET IT TO DO THE SAME THING WHILE AT DEALERSHIP AND I CAN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. IF THIS IS GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING, I DO NOT WANT THE CAR ANYMORE AND THE DEAL WILL NEED TO TAKE IT BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10722005

67,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Steering

POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING FAILED. RESET BY TURNING CAR OFF, THEN RESTART... DID THIS MORE THAN 4 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678998

27,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING HOME TO PA FROM NC ON VACATION, MY HUSBAND WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN HE LOST ALL USE OF THE GAS PEDAL (IT APPEARED TO HAPPEN AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON). OUR VEHICLE SLOWLY BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND WE HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH CARS TR…

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WHILE TRAVELING HOME TO PA FROM NC ON VACATION, MY HUSBAND WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN HE LOST ALL USE OF THE GAS PEDAL (IT APPEARED TO HAPPEN AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON). OUR VEHICLE SLOWLY BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND WE HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH CARS TRAVELING 65-70MPH AROUND US. ONCE PULLED OFF, WHILE APPLYING THE BREAK, THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE STARTED THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN WITH A ROUGH START...WE CONTINUED ON OUR WAY. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, WE ARE UNSURE WHY FORD WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL. WE CALLED OUT DEALERSHIP TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND WERE TOLD THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES INVOLVING THE THROTTLE BODY...I HAVE AN APPT FOR MONDAY 8/4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617492

38,800 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE CAR CHIMED THREE TIMES. I THOUGHT PERHAPS MY WIFE HAD FAILED TO BUCKLE HER SEAT BELT. I ASKED HER AND SHE SAID NO, SHE HAD. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD HAD A RED INDICATOR OF A BRAKE FAILURE AND INSTEAD OF THE MILEAGE IT SAID "CHECK BRAKES". WHEN I DID THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILURE - ONLY BY P…

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I WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE CAR CHIMED THREE TIMES. I THOUGHT PERHAPS MY WIFE HAD FAILED TO BUCKLE HER SEAT BELT. I ASKED HER AND SHE SAID NO, SHE HAD. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD HAD A RED INDICATOR OF A BRAKE FAILURE AND INSTEAD OF THE MILEAGE IT SAID "CHECK BRAKES". WHEN I DID THERE WAS A BRAKE FAILURE - ONLY BY PUMPING REALLY HARD COULD I STOP THE CAR. I DROVE ABOUT A MILE HOME CAREFULLY. THIS IS THE FOURTH BRAKE FAILURE. I WILL NEVER DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616571

89,656 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Steering

THE STEERING STOPS WITH NO WARNING. IT FIRST HAPPENED IN 2011 WITH 27,259 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN/MODULE ASSY. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID OUR CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CODE TO COME UP SO THEY DID NOTHING! THIS LAST TIME,…

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THE STEERING STOPS WITH NO WARNING. IT FIRST HAPPENED IN 2011 WITH 27,259 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN/MODULE ASSY. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID OUR CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CODE TO COME UP SO THEY DID NOTHING! THIS LAST TIME, MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605638

37,500 miles · Apr 25, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE WHEN I HEARD A DOUBLE ALARM SOUND. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND IT HAD A RED BRAKE SYMBOL AND TEXT THAT SAID CHECK BRAKES. I TRIED THEM AND THERE WAS NOTING THERE. I PROCEEDED VERY SONLY TO A SPOT AND PULLING AT A CRAWL. I PUMPED THE BRAKES MANY TIMES AND STOPPED THE CAR. …

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I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE WHEN I HEARD A DOUBLE ALARM SOUND. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND IT HAD A RED BRAKE SYMBOL AND TEXT THAT SAID CHECK BRAKES. I TRIED THEM AND THERE WAS NOTING THERE. I PROCEEDED VERY SONLY TO A SPOT AND PULLING AT A CRAWL. I PUMPED THE BRAKES MANY TIMES AND STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER A WHILE I STARTED IT AGAIN AND THERE WAS BRAKE WARNING - I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY TO THE STREET AND CALLED FORD AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. IT IS IN THE DEALERS NOW. THIS IS THE THIRD BRAKE FAILURE - I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFELY AND THAT OF PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585004

58,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Service Brakes

DRIVING ON ONRAMP TO HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30 MPH, ALARMS SOUNDED AND ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND SERVICE BRAKES WARNING CAME UP. ALARM SOUNDED ABOUT EVERY 5 MIN ON WAY TO DESTINATION. LOST BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY. HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR ANY STOPPING POWER. PROBLEM GOES AWAY AFTER RESTART OF…

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DRIVING ON ONRAMP TO HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30 MPH, ALARMS SOUNDED AND ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND SERVICE BRAKES WARNING CAME UP. ALARM SOUNDED ABOUT EVERY 5 MIN ON WAY TO DESTINATION. LOST BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY. HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR ANY STOPPING POWER. PROBLEM GOES AWAY AFTER RESTART OF ENGINE, BUT RETURNS WHEN DRIVING. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 6 MONTHS AGO AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED BRAKE PEDAL. WORKED FINE FOR 6 MONTHS, BUT NOW EXACTLY SAME THING OCCURRING. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568759

49,300 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Visibility

PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. OPENED THE REAR WINDOW TO GET AN ITEM FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE. CLOSED THE WINDOW, AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES INSIDE MY VEHICLE AND ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. MOST OF THE GLASSES REMAIN INTACT ON THE WINDOW BUT WAS ONLY BARELY HANGING. THE SHATTERED PIECES C…

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PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. OPENED THE REAR WINDOW TO GET AN ITEM FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE. CLOSED THE WINDOW, AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES INSIDE MY VEHICLE AND ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. MOST OF THE GLASSES REMAIN INTACT ON THE WINDOW BUT WAS ONLY BARELY HANGING. THE SHATTERED PIECES CAME MAINLY FROM BOTH SIDES. IT HAPPENED AROUND 5:20PM AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 30 DEGREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562281

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.