The 2010 Escape only lasts around 150,000 miles with transmission failures and engine issues. At $7,052 to $11,587, it’s a lot of money to spend on an SUV that breaks down.
Is the 2010 Ford Escape a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2010 is a bad year. Owner reviews complain about mechanical issues, outdated technology, and even excessive rust.
- Reliability ratings are bad. There are a lot of complaints from 2009–2014, with some improvements in 2015.
- Performance is average from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 offers better power.
- The Escape is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is decent for an SUV, getting up to 25 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Escape?
- Consumer Reports says the Escape has an unsettled ride, and terrible owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Escape a 4.2/5 liking the V6 engine’s power, but disliking how dated it feels to drive.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Escape 4.4/5 and enjoy the high ground clearance, but dislike the old styling.
What Common Problems Does the 2010 Ford Escape Have?
Common problems found on the 2010 Escape include throttle body failures, exploding rear windows, and broken transmissions.
Throttle body failures are the most common complaint from owners, happening at around 70,000 miles. The components in the throttle body wear out, and the assembly costs about $500 to replace.
Exploding rear windows are another frequent issue on the Escape in the first 50,000 miles. The way the rear glass was made causes it to be brittle and small impacts can cause it to shatter. Replacing the glass costs about $550.
Transmission failures are another problem that shows up on a lot of Escape models at around 35,000 miles. Replacing the transmission costs about $3,000 depending on local labor rates.
There are 5 recalls, with the most serious being for the electronic power steering system and fuel delivery module which increase the risk of an accident or fire.
How Long Will the 2010 Ford Escape Last?
A properly maintained 2010 Ford Escape will last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Data provided by Repair Pal says that regular annual maintenance costs are higher than rivals, at $544 per year.
Most Escapes from 2010 will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the brake master cylinder for $200, the blower motor costing $450, and the control arm bushings which cost $200.
As long as you are driving like a responsible person I haven't had any issues. Every once in a while my 'check gas inlet' notification comes up. It just turns off after a couple of drives.
There are no problems with this vehicle, since I had owned it, I have not had to make many repairs, except for the back window, that comes with age of the vehicle.
Yes, I believe it is reliable. The only problems I have encountered thus far are a brake issue and the ac/heat causes the car to hum.
Yes it is very reliable. I have not had any major issues in over 8 years with the car even while having it in the Minnesota winters. The start up is easy and consistent.
Very reliable. It will signal you and text you any needed service when due, so that if repairs are needed, then can be done ahead of time so that their would be no outages or surprises.
No and it doesn't have any problems now but I have replaced the air conditioner twice and the alternator and changed the battery.
Yes it is reliable. It has not had any major problems. The hinges for the glass on the hatchback eventually rot out and have to be replaced.
So far it has been reliable. I haven't experienced any mechanical issues in my less than a year of owning it.
How Much Is the 2010 Ford Escape Worth?
Blue book values range from $7,052 to $11,587, making the Escape cheaper than a Chevy Equinox or Jeep Liberty. When new, the price range was $21,020 to $27,375. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 13% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Escape?
There are three models of the 2010 Ford Escape available. There are new safety features added for the 2010 model year, with the next redesign coming for the 2013 model.
XLS is the base model with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX
XLT is a step up and adds:
- Automatic Headlights
- Ford MyKey Parental Controls
- 6-Way Power Driver’s Seat
- Improved Stereo With Bluetooth & Satellite Radio
Limited is the luxury-focused model and has:
- Unique 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
- Dual Zone Climate Control
- Rearview Camera
- SYNC Infotainment System With 6-Speakers
What Engines Come In the Escape?
- The base engine is a fairly average 2.5L 4-cylinder making 171 horsepower, which gets up to 25 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the powerful 3.0L V6 which produces 240 horsepower and gets up to 21 MPG combined. Performance is decent, taking 7 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Escape Come In?
How Big Is the Escape?
The 2010 Ford Escape is an average compact SUV, similar in size to the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rouge. Passenger space is good with plenty of room for adults in the backseats, but the seating position is not very comfortable.
There’s less cargo space than some rivals, with 29 cubic feet of room behind the back sets, and up to 66 with the second row folded flat.
How Does the Escape Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Explorer is another rival from Ford costing about $1,000 more. Passenger room and power are both better on the Explorer, but the Escape has more tech. We recommend the Explorer since they do not have as many serious mechanical issues.
The Honda CR-V is another popular competitor, which costs about $3,000 more. Technology and reliability are better in the CR-V, but the Escape offers stronger off road performance. We recommend going with a CR-V since they last longer and are more advanced.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Escape?
Yes. Great for people with bad backs and knees. Great mileage on the highways and for city driving. It is excellent to have an SUV without having to put in three rows for seats.
Yes, it is dependable and easy on gas. With daily upkeep, we have had minimal issues or needed repairs.
Yes, I believe so. It has been reliable for my day-to-day and extended travels. It is spacious and decent to drive in bad weather.
Yes! I love it. Especially for Minnesota winters. It is not only dependable but has the ability for large quantity transportation. Also is dependable and smooth to drive.
Yes it is one of the best. It is all wheel drive, plenty of traction, very roomy, it has all electric seats and the new technology for cell phone accessories, with satellite prescriptions, real big side view mirrors and blind spots, car stays clean, it has two CD videos for viewing a lot of extra too.
Yes it is a good car. I have had for 3 years... Still runs good. I will have it paid for next year... It is almost ten years old.
Yes it has been a great vehicle. I have owned the car since it was brand new and have very little issues.
Yes it feels comfortable to drive, has good mileage for an SUV, and has enough space for storage and moving large objects and furniture.