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2010 Ford Escape AWD XLS

The 2010 Ford Escape AWD XLS is a 171-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and all-wheel drive. It starts at $22,265 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 171 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Escape measures 174.7 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,299 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$22,265 ($33,178 *)
MSRP with Destination$22,990 ($34,258 *)
Destination Charge$725
Engine
Engine Type2.5L I4
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower171 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque171 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway28 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Tank Capacity16.5 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16.0 in
Wheels Rear16.0 in
Tires FrontP235/70R16
Tires RearP235/70R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length174.7 in
Width81.3 in
Height67.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb Weight3,299 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (20.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2010 Ford Escape 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford ESCAPE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 26, 2016 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.

NHTSA campaign 16V777000

Jun 3, 2015 · 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.

Consequence: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15E045000

May 29, 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.

NHTSA campaign 14V284000

Sep 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

NHTSA campaign 10E043000

May 24, 2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION".

Consequence: A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 AND FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED CALL 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). REPRESENTATIVES ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

NHTSA campaign 10V222000

2,129 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2010 Ford ESCAPE

Owner Complaints

2,129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford ESCAPE (32 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 19 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Vehicle Speed Control566
Power Train513
Engine505
Fuel/Propulsion System445
Steering441
Electrical System218
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 26, 2026 · Steering
“Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist Power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds. Steering locks up while driving. This has happened 3…”
Sep 11, 2026 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“The gas tank is leaking gas on the gas tank inlet plastic yellow retainer ring appears to be broken. This gas leak has put safety family members at risk. It appears to be a manufacturer defect built…”
Jul 16, 2026 · Suspension, Structure
“1. I purchased a 2010 Ford Escape that had a preexisting rusted frame defect. That is shown by the Ford vehicle history report and related service documentation, which support that the problem existed…”
Jul 2, 2026 · Unknown Or Other
“I own a 2010 Ford Escape, VIN [XXX]. Last year in 2025, my power steering went out. I found out it was from a safety recall. I took it to the Ford dealership in Sandusky, MI. They told me it wasn't a…”
Jun 4, 2026 · Steering, Suspension
“Front subframe on the right side prematurely rusts, causing the vehicle to loose steering and pull to the right.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2010 FORD ESCAPE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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