2010 Ford Escape Hybrid problems & reliability
59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 18 | 31% |
| Service Brakes → | 13 | 22% |
| Engine → | 12 | 20% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 14% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 8% |
| Power Train | 5 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 3% |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 77,628 miles (middle 50% between 50,250 and 118,250 miles), based on 58 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and was still in park(P) in the driveway, the steering wheel failed to turn and seemed to be seized. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist" warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle…”
Steering · filed Oct 25, 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering Failure" message displayed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who determined that the Power Steering Control Module…”
Steering · filed Dec 12, 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that she was able to continue…”
Steering · filed Dec 4, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
- Loss of power steering while driving
Defect Petition DP15001 · opened Apr 1, 2015 · closed Jun 14, 2018
- Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Defect Petition DP12006 · opened Oct 2, 2012 · closed Feb 21, 2013
Technical service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid.
Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery…
TSB 16-0118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 8, 2016
Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear…
44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2015
Ford: due to a possible leak in the internal check valve, the red brake lamp illuminates with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1015, c0101c or p1a1b with brake pedal feeling no change. *pe
TSB-22353 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2012
Diagnostic Trouble Codes
TSB-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 4, 2012
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 77,628 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.