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2010 Ford Escape Suspension Problems

22 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data

22
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2016Dec 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Suspension Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #15E045000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (22)

mediumSUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Filed: Feb 2025

putting the car on a lift noticed the rust on frame the inspecting further notice the rear axle rusted away from body

NHTSA #: 11644817
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle continuously pulled to the right, requiring the driver to make constant corrections. Upon visual inspection of the vehicle, the contact observed that the front passenger's side tire was angled inward and had nearly detached from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front engine cradle after observing excessive corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000.

NHTSA #: 11606825
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Apr 2024

Engine cradle rusted out. It was replaced and I have the old part. Problem was detected using the vehicle for a short drive at residential speed. If the part had failed on the freeway an accident may have occurred. Vehicle was left at a close by shop who confirmed part failure and warned vehicle could not be driven unless part replaced. Shop confirmed this is not uncommon. Called Ford Motor Company and was told to see my local dealer. Checked with dealer body shop. Body shop said never seen problem before. Parts confirmed common replacement part. Service would neither confirm nor deny quality of original part leading to failure. Concern is for younger drivers for whom this is a family hand me down.

NHTSA #: 11585915
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Dec 2023

I had exhaust work done, 2010 Ford Escape, and shop pointed out huge rust hole in ''subframe'' (engine cradle) This has been hundred thousand recalls but NOT all model years, yet they ALL have the same fault. Ford recall only puts a cheap ''brace'' on it but it is NOT a repair!! What kind of country allows these maggots to threaten the driver with complete !! loss of steering control and yet not require repair for faulty frames? They did the half-ass repair on 2001 to 2004 but ALL years up to 2012 have this, and the ''brace '' in cheapo B S.

NHTSA #: 11558694
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Aug 2023

A/C drain line located above the crossmember(Engine Cradle-#9L8Z-5C145-A) caused it to prematurely rot on the passenger side of the vehicle. Issue was discovered during a routine oil change. Crossmember rot is directly above lower control arm attachment point. In the event of total failure, it would result in loss of control of the vehicle. The driver's side of the crossmember does not have any signs of corrosion.

NHTSA #: 11536950
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: May 2023

Had an alternator problem , had vehicle towed to garage for repair. When I picked the owner of the garage there is significant rust to the suspension. I inspected the damage my self and found the "suspension part" that holds the strut was just about rusted through. I researched the web and found out that there were plenty of others who have the same

NHTSA #: 11520500
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jun 2022

Driving down the road started hearing minor noises in the rear, then louder clunks when driving over road patches and bumps. Parked in our driveway, and inspected, found out the entire strut tower on the rear driver side tire is rusted from the frame and there is a large crack that has formed in the unibody has well. Our local Ford dealership in town sent us to the auto body shop and the auto body shop will not touch it and said park it and do not drive it. It is dangerous to myself, occupants and others on the road you can move the entire strut tower. We are stuck with a loan for a vehicle when we bought had no rust marks anywhere until after a few months. Also the roof leaks as well which was not visible when we purchased this vehicle of a lot. We took it back to the dealership we bought it from and since we bought as is, they would do nothing. They said they'd help get us in something different and will not return any calls. They had to have known this was a problem when they sold this.

NHTSA #: 11467152
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Nov 2021

The vehicle started making occasional "clunking" sounds upon right hand turns around the 120,000 mile mark as if my tire were falling into a pothole that wasn't there. Had one occurrence where a sharp right hand turn resulted into what I'd call a "locked up" steer or loss of steering control and flashing warning light. It then mysteriously resumed normalcy. At 135,000 during a brake job service, mechanic pointed out that the crossmember has prematurely corroded through along with concerns about the subframe and this car was unfit to drive which may be the reason for the above. I'm reading very similar stories of all the same symptoms that have already resulted in accidents with this car which is forcing me to park this.

NHTSA #: 11440596
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2021

REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED, POTENTIALLY CRACKED CAUSING NOISE AND LOSS OF NORMAL CONTROL WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA #: 11403450
mediumSUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2021

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM(ABS) DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD: WHEN BRAKING AT A STOP THE BREAK SKIPS AND STRUGGLES TO BREAK. WHEN TURNING WHILE THE FOOT IS ON THE BREAK IT ALSO SKIPS. WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH PERIODICAL TURNS ON AND OFF. THE BREAK SKIPPING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR. FAST BREAKING CAN TRIGGER SKIPPING OF THE BREAKS. RAIN ALSO INCREASES THE LIKELINESS OF BREAK SKIPPING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL STEERING. THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHECKS AND ARE NORMAL. FORD ESCAPE 2010. INSTANCES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AT RANDOM SINCE 2018 AT A FREQUENCY OF 3-4 TIMES A WEEK.

NHTSA #: 11390108
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2020

RIGHT FRONT CROSS MEMBER AT LOWER CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY RUSTED PREMATURELY, FRONT END STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA #: 11359998
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Sep 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND FOUND THE THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD FRACTURED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FILLBACK FORD ' RICHLAND CENTER (2410 US 14 RICHLAND CENTER, WI 53581, (608) 647-5400). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUBFRAME FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE DEALER REPLACED FRONT SUBFRAME K-FRAME, THE AXLE, CONTROL ARM, AND TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,810. INVALID VIN. *BF

NHTSA #: 11352832
mediumSUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2020

FRAME ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING WHEEL TO BE DETACHED FROM FRAME AND ALSO CONTROL ARM. TOLD NOT TO DRIVE CAR AT ALL UNTIL FRAME IS FIXED. SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED.

NHTSA #: 11316379
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Feb 2020

TO ISSUE A RECALL REQUIRING TO REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGE FROM A BAD FRAME. CONTROL ARM AND OTHER CONNECTING SUSPENSION PARTS WILL SEPARATE FROM FRAME AND OR SUB-FRAME WHICH CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS AND OR FATAL INJURIES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ROTTING FRAME/SUB-FRAME AND THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD ESCAPES HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES TO FORD. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED ASAP AS SERIOUS INJURIES/DEATH WILL RESULT IF NOT ADDRESSED.ALONG WITH FORDS REPUTATION OF DOING THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU

NHTSA #: 11312139
mediumSUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2018

WHEN TRYING TO GET THE CAR FROM STOP TO START THE GEAR ARE NOT WORKING CORRECLTY SEEM TO SKIP FROM 2ND TO 1ST AND STUDDERS WHEN TRYING TO MOVE.

NHTSA #: 11101372
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Jun 2017

CLUNKY FRONT SUSPENSION. EXTREME NOISE FROM THE FRONT END, AND SUSPENSION, WHILE DRIVING. WONDERING IF SOMETHING WILL COME LOOSE, OR DISENGAGE THE STEERING. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA #: 10995272
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Jan 2016

UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION WITH CERTIFIED AUTO DEALER- THE VEHICLE HAS EXTREME CORROSION IN UNDER BODY PART - CONTROL ARMS - DANGEROUS SEPARATION. PER REVIEWING THE NHTSA RECORDS SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IN APPROVED REGIONS DUE TO ACCIDENTS CAUSING DEATHS DUE TO SEPARATION OF CONTROL ARMS CORROSION. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL VEHICLES IN THE COLD WEATHER REGIONS AFFECTED FOR SAFETY!

NHTSA #: 10819188
mediumSUSPENSION
CrashFiled: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. ON JULY 1, 2014, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE DRIVER DROVE OVER A SPEED BUM AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ABNORMALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DRIVER THEN STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A STORAGE FACILITY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10610310
mediumSUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2013

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, LET COOL FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THEN DROVE IT ABOUT 20 MILES IT DIED AGAIN. LET IT COOL AGAIN AN IT DID THIS 4 TIMES BEFORE GETTING TO DEALER. THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON AUG 9 2013 BUT WOULD NOT START. DEALER EXAMINED STARTER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG BY CHECKING CODES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TODAY A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES IN ONE YEAR TWO OF THOSE TIMES I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND. FORD NEEDS TO CHECK AND RECALL THESE CARS, BUT THEY NEED TO SEE BODY COUNTS BEFORE THEY SEE A NEED TO DO SOMETHING.*JB

NHTSA #: 10541702
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Oct 2011

FROM DAY 1, 365 MILES, AS I TURNED LEFT ON A WIDE TURN OR SHORT TIGHT TURN I HEAR A CLUNK NOISE FELT IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. AFTER 10,000 MILES I CAN MAKE IT DO IT ON COMMAND. ONLY LEFT TURNS. FORD HAS REPLACE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS AND ONLY LASTS 2-3 DAYS, NOISE RETURNS. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD ATTEMPT TO PUT "FRAME EARS" ON TO DETERMINE SOURCE OF NOISE. MAYBE I SHOULD STOP TURNING LEFT? *KB

NHTSA #: 10429508
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Jul 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH SHE BEGAN TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE CV AXLE ALSO BROKE OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CONTROL ARM AND THE CV JOINT. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE TIRES. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT HAD BEGUN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AFTER THE DEALER ALIGNED THE WHEELS FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,842.

NHTSA #: 10341225
mediumSUSPENSION
Filed: Mar 2010

BRAND NEW 2010 FORD ESCAPE EXHIBITS HARSH, UNILATERAL "CLUNK" ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE TRAVELING OVER BUMPS AND DIPS AS IF REBOUND ACTION OF SHOCK IS FAILING. THIS CLUNK OCCURS AT POSTED SPEED LIMITS AND MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR MORE SEVERE BUMPS OR POTHOLES. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TEST DROVE WITH ME AND THEY WERE INITIALLY ALARMED, BUT AFTER DRIVING OTHER ESCAPES, THE SAME CLUNK OCCURS AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC. THIS IS MY 2ND ESCAPE AND MY 2006 DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS CLUNK, NOR DO ANY OTHER OF MY VEHICLES.

NHTSA #: 10322196

Other 2010 Ford Escape Issues