2010 Ford Escape Body & Structure Problems

Your transmission's valve body failed about 3 weeks after purchase, causing a sudden loss of power while driving on the freeway that nearly caused an accident. A solenoid (part D) is stuck in the off position, and this transmission model has a known history of this problem. The transmission will likely need to be repaired or replaced to restore normal operation.

Your 2010 Ford Escape experienced a complete transmission failure within 30 days of purchase, making it undrivable. You also noticed severe rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle that appears to damage the frame and safety components, along with significant shaking and vibration while driving and braking. These combined issues—transmission failure, extensive underbody rust, and unstable driving behavior—suggest serious safety risks. Addressing these problems will likely require transmission replacement, structural rust repair or frame replacement, and brake and suspension inspection.

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an alignment, but the mechanic was unable to perform the alignment due to a hole in the subframe. The contact was informed that the subframe had corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

During routine maintenance my mechanic told me the sub frame of my 2010 FordEscape had a serious problem. It appears there is a design flaw which allows condensation from the air conditioner to be traped and ultimately rust through compromising the frame. They said they didn't recommend driving the car, because if the frame failed the right wheel could detatch causing a catastrophic event. This rust only exists on the passenger side.

The Front Engine Cradle sub frame is rusted out the same as the 2003-2005 escapes that were recalled

The component that failed was the "Engine Cradle". The front end of the vehicle was visibly sagging due to the failing engine cradle. The engine cradle was so severely rusted that the control arm could literally fall off vehicle while driving.

A tech showed me the frame under the car is rusted and presents that if I hit a bump I blow the front passenger tire off. Ford recalled 2001-2004 Ford escapes for this reason the metal that year rusts for those in salted road states I'm in Ohio. Ford also recalled other models for rusted frames in salted road states like Detroit. Other people in car websites also reported same issue one person on YouTube made a video about it.

1. Passenger side rear door child lock will not disengage. 2. Liftgate lock failed, and will not open.

Available for inspection upon request. Front SUB- FRAME RUSTED IN 2 ON RIGHT LOWER SIDE. Right lower control arm bushing pulled out of arm. Driving on highway car without warning jerked off the road. Could have killed everyone in the car had it collided with anything. Car is completely in drivable because it is not safe. Problem has been confirmed. No there was not any warning lights or warning. I was told by a ford mechanic that there is no way that this car should have a subframe rust through.

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was having a routine oil change performed at an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was rusted and there was metal missing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Component: Engine Cradle/Front Subframe - (9L8Z-5C145-A) Large holes rusting in it on passenger side. Mechanic recommends replacement as otherwise hole could weaken the structure to the point it breaks, control arm could pop out. Seems to have been a known issue on older models like 2001-2004, but any newer models are not covered by Ford's recall, despite many people on forums saying they have the same problem. Problem noticed by mechanic within the last year or so. Some people hypothesize the problem comes from where the AC leaks its condensate.

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the brakes was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the engine cradle frame was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The front suspension subframe k-frame crossmember has excessive errosion creating large gaps and holes in the frame, directly under the ac unit on the passenger side. The rust hole on top from the leaking fluid from the ac has continued to pool inside the cavity and caused erosion near the control arm. Unknown to me or any daily driver, this excessive rust is not prevalent anywhere else or something I was aware I needed to check. Other owners have been contacted and have experienced the same issue, some have had the part completely fail and cause accidents. The vehicle is very close to failure and I was not aware, there are no apparent side effects. I could easily cause an accident when using the vehicle. No other part of the vehicle has excessive rust so it is not a concern otherwise. The k-frame needs to be replaced and a hose needs to be ran from the Ac to redirect the fluid being dissipated onto the k-frame as it is.

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the sub-frame had extensive rust above the wheels. The contact was unable to pass the PA vehicle inspection. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 149,500.

The subframe is rotted out on the right passenger side which could cause the wheel to fall off while in transit. This is a known problem for the Ford escapes that has not been recalled by Ford. This vehicle is only 11 years old.

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - THE LIFT GATE TRAPS WATER INSIDE AND HAS CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO RUST OUT SO BADLY THAT IT HAS CAUSED ME TO REPLACE THE LIFT GATE LATCH ACTUATOR MOTOR AND ASSEMBLY ON THE LIFT GATE 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY 2010. MY SERVICE DOG HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LIFT GATE MOTOR BECOMING BROKEN. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE AND HAD TO TAKE DOWN THE SEATS. IN THE EVENT THIS WAS AN EMERGENCY MY SERVICE ANIMAL WOULD'VE DIED. MY SERVICE ANIMAL IS TOO LARGE TO RIDE UP FRONT AND SHE RIDES IN THE BACK. ON OCCASION WHEN MY LIFT GATE WAS NOT WORKING, I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE RECENT ISSUE WITH THE GATE, THE SHOP THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAD TO PRY OPEN THE GATE AND REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE LIFT GATE IS REPLACED AND NO LONGER HOLDS WATER. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ALSO HOLDS A LOT OF WATER. THE MILEAGE INDICATED IS FOR THE MOST RECENT REPAIR, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS DATE.

THERE'S A DUNT IN THE HOOD FROM SOMETHING FALLING ON IT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CHASSIS WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO MOYER FORD SALES INC. (10111 AL-59, FOLEY, AL 36535) WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSED FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

I WAS LOADING GROCERIES INTO THE WINDOW AREA OF THE TAILGATE. WHEN THE BRACKET CRACKED, APPEARS TO HAVE CORRODED AND CRACKED.

THE REAR SHOCK UPPER MOUNTING TOWER AND SUPPORT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM FRAME OF VEHICLE CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOOSE CONTACT WITH ROAD. VEHICLE THIS AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE FRAME RUST / DAMAGE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE RUSTING. THIS STARTING HAPPENING AROUND 2016. I SEE MANY OTHER 2010 ESCAPES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM.

UNABLE TO CLOSE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR - WON'T LATCH OR CLOSE

I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT A RECALL AND THIS CAR FRAME WAS CRACKED AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT FROM ANYONE FRONT THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM OR THE COMPANY THAT FIXED IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, HE CAME ACROSS RUST ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,093. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO FIND THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS HANGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HINGES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED, FRACTURED, AND DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB MAXEY FORD, INC. (1833 JEFFERSON AVENUE, DETROIT, MI, 48207) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HINGES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

FORD ESCAPE REAR WINDOW HINGES. THE HINGES DISINTEGRATED AND THE GLASS ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. I LUCKILY CAUGHT THE GLASS BEFORE IT FELL. I NOTICED A WHITE RESIDUE ON THE GLASS WHIC WAS FROM THE FAULTY HINGES. MY CAR WAS IN MY GARAGE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BRADFORD FAIRWAY FORD, BRADFORD, PA, 814-368-7166), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

2010 FORD ESCAPE WITH 80000 MILES. APROX 3FT LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK IN FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR REAR WHEEL.

REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE ROOF RACK, WHICH CAUSED RUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROOF RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

HATCH COMES UP WHEN DRIVING

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS LOADING MY CARGO AREA. AS I CLOSED MY LIFT GATE, THE REAR GLASS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE POKED THE GLASS TO SHATTER IT. THE BROKEN GLASS COVERED ME AND ACTUALLY, SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SEND SHARDS IN FRONT OF MY FRONT BUMPER. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE WITHIN 10 FEET OF MY VEHICLE.

ONE DAY CLOSED THE REAR HATCH GLASS AND THE HINGE HOLDING THE GLASS IN PLACE FELL APART DUE TO CORROSION. NOW THE WINDOW IS BARELY HANGING ON ONLY WITH THE HELP OF THE LATCH LOCKING IT IN PLACE. NOT A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ANTI-CORROSIVE USED ON THE METAL TO PROTECT IT. NOW HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH IT BARELY HANGING ON UNTIL THE REPLACES PARTS I ORDERED COME IN BECAUSE THEY COULD ONLY BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. ALSO TOO THE WEATHERSTRIPPING AROUND THE WINDOW IS NOT PLUSH ENOUGH I THINK TO PROTECT THE INSIDE FROM WATER DAMAGE WHICH ALSO LEAD TO THE WHOLE LIFTGATE FAILING TO OPEN ANYMORE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP THEY DID WHEN FIRST BUILDING THE CAR. AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT I'M SURE OTHERS FAIL TO REPORT IT TO THE PROPER AGENCY.

WHEN CLOSING THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2010 ESCAPE, THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED.

RIGHT REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND DOES NOT WORK. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "CABLE BURNED OUT." A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, DID THE EXACT SAME THING. VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES. STATIONARY.

THE TAIL GATE AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST. THE TAIL GATE HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD BODY SHOP.

WHEN A DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE HOOD FLEW UP ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WE USE FOR A COMPANY VEHICLE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE THE COMPANY HAS, YEAR 2006, THAT I ALSO FILED A COMPLAIN ON AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO CURRENT RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE HATCHBACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE FLASHER AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE HATCHBACK DOOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE THE LIFTGATE, IT FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

WHEN CLOSING THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED LEAVING GLASS SHARDS THROUGHOUT MY DRIVEWAY AND OUT INTO THE STREET. THERE WAS NOTHING BLOCKING THE CLOSURE AND NORMAL FORCE WAS USED TO CLOSE THE HATCH. *TR

LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED AND I HAD TO PAY $278.00 TO THE DEALER. NOW I SEE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN COVERING THIS PROBLEM, FOR THIS YEAR CAR; BUT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED, ACCORDING TO FORD THE DAY I HAD IT REPAIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH ACTUATOR SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

8 AM REMOVING PACKAGES FROM REAR OF ESCAPE. UPON SIMPLY CLOSING THE HATCH DOOR, THE GLASS SHATTERED TO BITS. I HAVE OPENED AND CLOSED THAT HATCH DOOR DOZENS OF TIMES. IT CLOSES WELL . NO NEED TO SLAM. SHOCKS BALANCE WELL. I CHECKED THE WEB AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. I IMMEDIATELY RECORDED (CAMERA) THE AFTERMATH WITH THE HOPES THAT FORD MAY COME TO THE PUMP. I HAD THE CAR FIXED AT THE DEALER $1200 OUT OF POCKET. FORD CANADA WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE NHTSA #10039131 TSB 10-22-10 PER PHONE CALL TO FORD HELP LINE. *TR

ON DEC 24TH WE WERE LOADING UP GIFTS INTO OUR TRUNK. I CLOSED THE TRUNK BOOM THE BACK REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. NOW IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO 500$ TO FIX THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED. I KNOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THIS. THANKS. *TR

THE REAR GATE WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE POWER UNLOCK OR REMOTE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IT OPEN. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE WAY TO OPEN THE REAR GATE AND COULD BE A PROBLEM IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE FROM OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURING ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT IS NOT A RECALL, AND OFTEN TIMES THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

2010 FORD ESCAPE BOUGHT NEW AND TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP AS THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. WITHIN LAST TWO WEEKS VEHICLE IS LOSING GAS PEDAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STALL. IF YOU APPLY THE GAS THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. THE COMPUTER CODE IS P2112. VEHICLE WAS SURGING FORWARD WHEN A DOG RAN ACROSS THE ROAD. COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE. VERY BUSY ROAD AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. BUMPER HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND CAR IS STILL LOSING POWER AND SURGING WHEN YOU APPLY GAS. *TR

MY CAR STALLED OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. I HAD TO TURN OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT. IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART BUT ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. AT ONE POINT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER FORD ESCAPES AS WELL AS FORD FUSIONS. AT THIS POINT THEY TOLD ME THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED FOR 2-3 WEEKS. THEY TOLD ME MOST PEOPLE WERE JUST ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE RANDOM STALLING OUT UNTIL THE PARTS CAME IN. *TR

THE REAR HATCH DOES NOT OPEN DUE TO A FAULTY ACTUATOR. ALL ESCAPES HAVE THIS ISSUE SINCE 2001 BUT FORD HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE FROM YOUR VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO. ALSO THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

WENT GROCERY SHOPPING. LOADED GROCERIES IN REAR. CLOSED TAILGATE, WINDOW LITERATELY EXPLODED, GLASS EVERYWHERE. *TR

I HAD MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN MY GARAGE AT MY HOUSE AND I OPENED MY REAR LIFT GATE TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK. WHEN I SHUT THE LIFT GATE LIKE NORMAL THE GLASS EXPLODED ALL OVER. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE REAR THAT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GLASS OR LIFT GATE TO CAUSE IT TO EXPLODE OR SHATTER IN ANYWAY. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE ONLY GOTTEN A MINOR CUT FROM THE GLASS SHARD IF I WAS STANDING SOMEWHERE ELSE I COULD HAVE GOTTEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

THE LIFT GATE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO RUST AT THE LOWER SEAM. RUST IS OCCURRING FROM BETWEEN THE PANELS OF THE SEAM. PAINT BUBBLING UP FROM UNDERNEATH. JUST 2 YEARS OLD. *TR

BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS RUSTED, WHEN PAINT REMOVED PIN HOLES THROUGHOUT METAL--DEFECTIVE METAL. ENTIRE QUARTER PANELS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ALSO RUST ON LIFT GATE. *JS

2010 FORD ESCAPE XLT AWD, 752.2 KM, 4 REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS DEFECTIVE. 2 FRONT SUBFRAME BOLTS MISSING, 2 REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS LOOSE, RESULT REAR WHEELS AND AXLE WERE ABOUT TO COME OFF THE VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO KEEP THE REAR WHEELS ON THE CAR. *TR