2010 Ford Escape Fuel system Problems

I recently bought this vehicle, I think about three months ago, used obviously. I will be going down the road, and for no apparent reason the vehicle will lose power steering. Not often but about once a month. Also, the majority of the time I can smell fuel from outside the vehicle. It most definitely has a fuel leak. Today, I got down and looked behind the tire at the fuel intake and it seems to be leaking at a yellow ring on the outside of the fuel tank. While researching this issue online seems to be a common issue, however, I have pulled up my VIN many times on the recall list and it has not shown up. It seems like not only an accident hazard with steering, but a fire hazard with the fuel. The fuel issue seems to make it very “jumpy” when idling at red lights, but maybe that’s a separate issue.

NHTSA ID

11722382

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

There is oil leak that cannot be found. I have taken that truck to 3 different mechanics, conducted 3 different diagnostics using the dye and everything and the source of this leak cannot be found and is causing me problems.

NHTSA ID

11694380

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

My vehicle is not able to pass the inspection and I have had a brand new gas tank put in and the engine lights are always on. I can’t get a new tag for the car and I have been pulled over by police 5 times now and received a citation due to this issue. Please if possible could you help me with this situation. Thank you so much for your time and understanding.

NHTSA ID

11664241

Incident

Apr 22, 2025

Had the car repaired because it stalls at stop signs or waiting for the traffic lights to change has a new turn up and carburetor and had a second opinion and they couldn’t find why but the car still stalled

NHTSA ID

11659439

Incident

Apr 28, 2025

The vehicle was dropped off on 12/26/24 at Planet Ford to have 2 recalls fixed. One being the electric power steering and the other being the fuel delivery module flange. A loaner vehicle was asked for, but not provided. The dealer said to contact Ford, and Ford said it was up to the dealer to provide that or rental assistance. The service personnel said after a few weeks and talking to Ford engineers, that the battery the vehicle had in it was not the right amperage/voltage. They said it would need to be replaced in order to continue to fix the recall. I had just put a new battery in it about 4 months prior and it was of the correct spec. I call every few days and have not been given and estimated time to have it fixed. Now, it's over a month and I still have no resolution and no vehicle. They are now saying that the computer is not good and also needs to be replaced. The car is not drivable and the recalls are not fixed. This is my only vehicle, please help with this. I have been patient and have exhausted every avenue available to me.

NHTSA ID

11640007

Incident

Dec 26, 2024

I filled up the tank and the inside smells like fuel, and it leaks underneath it. I checked online and they had a recall for the same year but the 3.0 engine, mine is the 2.5L. I took it to the mechanich and it has the exact same issue as those that have been recalled. The fueld delivery system flange is cracked and leaking fuel. I called ford and my car is not under that recall but it has the exact same issue. I need to pay it myself now and I am afrain for my safety as a lot of gas is leaking.

NHTSA ID

11637917

Incident

Jan 16, 2025

While driving, the brakes have no pressure. When starting the vehicle, the brakes go all the way to the floor. I took my car to several difference garages, and they determined the brake booster was the issue. No repair has been done, but the brakes go all the way to the floor and is difficult to stop. The 2nd issue is after the local Ford dealership performed work on the fuel system for a recall, the vehicle will sputter after refueling. This will cause the vehicle to almost shut off at a stop. I called the dealership, but they won't reexamine the recall. If I fill my tank up when I refuel, the fumes of the gas smell so badly you can't drive for a day after.

NHTSA ID

11617072

Incident

Jun 17, 2024

I don't even know where to start. Even with maintenance, this vehicle has been falling apart since I got it

NHTSA ID

11555820

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

Talked to [XXX] (service Manager) AutoNation Ford regarding issues encountered. Service recall dates back to Nov 16, 2017 where recall issue was not completed correctly. We had contacted AutoNation Ford to address this fuel leak issue. Original recall (16S41) description was about fuel leak underneath the vehicle and after service recall completed in 2017 the issue persisted. This would have caused gasoline leakage causing dangerous condition operating vehicle. This has also been forwarded to NHTSA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ID

11508433

Incident

Nov 16, 2017

When stopping for a red light, the engine shuts off. I can restart it. It has happened twice in a one year period . it is a Ford Escape 2010. Vin 1FMCU9DGXAKC64776

NHTSA ID

11502593

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

I have researched ford escape recalls. Each recall I have seen such as epas retention guide the bearing and fuel system is exactly what's wrong with my vehicle now. However when I look up the recall by Vin number I am only shown that I have a recall for the fuel system problem

NHTSA ID

11469943

Incident

Jun 19, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel filler door would not open and the contact attempted to use a screwdriver to open the fuel filler door. The contact was not able to refuel the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). However, the dealer did not have time to repair the fuel filler door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ID

11435697

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

Mileage

119,000 mi

1.2010 Ford Escape Electronic Throttle Body issue investigated by the NHTSA. 2. Hesitations, surges, stalls. Ford has issued a CSP 13N03 with time and mileage limits. This is a safety issue effecting many Ford vehicles and the symptoms may not surface until beyond the CSP 13N03 time limits imposed by Ford, as in my case. These electronic throttle body hesitations, surges and stalls are very dangerous and result in compromised safety for the driver, their passengers and others on the road. I have come very close to a collision on two separate occasions because of this issue. The NHTSA should force Ford to reclassify this issue as a recall with no time nor mileage limits or lift the current program time and mileage limits for people like me who are beyond the time limit who have just recently developed this problem. This is a mechanical defect as well as a safety issue. 3. Problem confirmed by Ford dealership. 4. Dash warnings - check engine light and wrench lights illuminated. In my case, these have gone on and off, vehicle demonstrates hesitations, surges, stalls, then resets itself and the vehicle functions normally. This has happened twice over the last few months. Just recently, the warning lights have stayed illuminated and the symptoms are now constant.

NHTSA ID

11435482

Incident

Sep 20, 2021

I was driving on the freeway in the second lane from the left cruising around 60-65 MPH when the vehicle started to idle rough and then I lost the ability to accelerate I had to maneuver over to the right-hand shoulder of the freeway with cars flying around me. Even though the engine never stalled, the loss of my ability to accelerate left me a sitting duck in danger of being struck by another vehicle or as a dangerous obstacle for other vehicles who might have gotten in an accident trying to avoid me. It also came to my attention while researching the cause that Ford was aware of the issue and had already recalled certain vin #'s and sent a letter out to others with an extended factory warranty to replace the part, but only once the part failed. NOT SAFE! I previously reported this incident to you in August or September, however I lost my follow up information and don't know what happened with my complaint.

NHTSA ID

11434941

Incident

Aug 12, 2020

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11434343

Incident

Aug 18, 2021

STEERING;AT SLOW SPEEDS AND ESPECIALLY AT IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH. JITTERY IS HOW I'D DESCRIBE IT. AT SLOW SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE A LOOSE WHEEL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THROTTLE BODY; RECALL IS EXPIRED. I PURCHASED THE CAR (SECOND OWNER) ABOUT 2015 FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. OEM THROTTLE BODY FAILED IN 2019, WHICH WAS INDEPENDENTLY DIAGNOSED AND I REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. NO RECOURSE AT THE PRESENT WITH EITHER ISSUE. BOTH ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES KNOWN THROUGHOUT FORD FORUMS AND INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID

11406725

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE CAR HAS HAD ISSUES STARTING SINCE I BROUGHT IT FROM A USED DEALER LAST SEPTEMBER. OVER TIME IT GOT MORE DIFFICULT TO CRANK. I STARTED CHECKING YOUTUBE TO SEE IF IT WERE JUST ME AND CAME TO LEARN THAT THERE IS A GREAT MULTITUDE OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPES. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FROM THE KEY THAT FLIPS THE IGNITION SWITCH IS EITHER TOO WEEK OR IT DOESN'T TURN FAR ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO CRANK. I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE COVERING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL AND MANUALLY USE THE SPARE KEY AS AN EXTENSION OF THE O E INSIDE THE IGNITION, IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO CRANK. THE SAME PROCESS IS REQUIRED IN TURNING THE CAR OFF. RIGHT NOW IT WORKS, HOWEVER COULD BE A HAZARD WITH ALL OF THE WIRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL EXPOSED. AND WHO IS TO SAY THAT ONE DAY THE VEHICLE WON'T JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH HAVING AN IMAGINARY PHYSICAL CONNECTION?

NHTSA ID

11402913

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

@12:56PM ON 2/11/2021, MY CAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, ACCELERATION, LIGHTS, PEDAL/GAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THE TIME REMAINED ON. IT WAS 19* F WITH NO PRECIPITATION ON DRY/PARTLY SNOWY PAVEMENT ON HIGHWAY US31 JUST S OF THE NORTH MUSKEGON/BUSINESS 31 BYPASS. I WAS GOING ABOUT 75 MPH AND ADJUSTED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE SHORTLY BEFORE THE SHUTOFF. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THAT IS RELATED, BECAUSE THE TIMING WAS NOT IMMEDIATE. I HAD NOT CHANGED LANES IN MORE THAN A MILE, ALTHOUGH THE ROAD DOES TWIST SLIGHTLY IN THAT LOCATION. I HAD ON AUTOMATIC LIGHTS, DEFROST AND REAR DEFROST, BLUETOOTH AUDIO, AND CRUISE CONTROL. MY TANK WAS JUST BELOW 1/2 FULL OF GAS AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BUT IS NOT STORED IN A GARAGE OVERNIGHT. I COASTED TO AN EMERGENCY LANE ON THE PASSING LANE, TURNED THE KEY OFF (OTHER THAN THE TIME, AUDIO, AND BRAKES, NOTHING ELSE WOULD RESPOND.) I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 60 SECONDS, IT STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM, AND I COULD CONTINUE TO MY VACCINE APPOINTMENT WITH NO DISCERNIBLE SIGNS OF ANY OTHER ISSUE OR ERROR. IT WAS TERRIFYING.

NHTSA ID

11395764

Incident

Feb 11, 2021

Mileage

76,152 mi

LEAK GAS

NHTSA ID

11348770

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

IS IT COMMON FOR MY 2010 ESCAPE XLT TO HAVE A EVAP CODE READING HAVING A LARGE LEAK? CODE P0455

NHTSA ID

11320104

Incident

Dec 30, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT A FUEL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE RISK FOR OUR 2010 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH THE LI I4 ENGINE MANUFACTURED AT THE CLAYCOMO, MISSOURI, PLANT. THERE HAS BEEN FUEL ODOR SINCE SEPTEMBER, 2019 UPON APPROACHING THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS WEEK, IN ADDITION TO THE SMELL OF FUEL, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE, VISIBLE POOL OF FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE; ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IN FRONT OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE. A PHOTO IS ATTACHED. THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME 2010 FORD ESCAPES FOR A DIFFERENT ENGINE, I WOULD LIKE THE RECALL EXTENDED TO INCLUDED THE AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11316550

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

197,000 mi

FUEL INLET LIGHT FUEL FILLER NECK DEFECTIVE CAUSING A GAS LEAK CAN NOT PUMP GAS

NHTSA ID

11299419

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

Mileage

168,000 mi

FUEL LEAKING ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FUEL NECK BROKE.

NHTSA ID

11299372

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

Mileage

168,000 mi

MY ENGINE LOCKED OIL LEAKING BATTERY DIES AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SUV SHAKES REAR WINDSHIELD WHIPPERS DRAIN BATTERY CONSTANT JUMPS AND ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

11290064

Incident

Feb 9, 2019

FUEL PUMP CRACKED (PART #PFS534) IN 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2.5L ENGINE SIMILAR TO RECALL ON OTHER FORD ESCAPES WITH 3.0L ENGINE. CRACKED FUEL PUMP CAUSED VAPOR LEAK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WOULD STILL OPERATE BUT STRONG FUEL SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA AND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I WAS SURPRISED THAT THE RECALL ONLY IMPACTED 3.0L ENGINE FUEL PUMP AND NOT OTHER FORD ESCAPES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND LIKELY HAVE A VERY SIMILAR PART.

NHTSA ID

11289790

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

Mileage

77,000 mi