2010 Ford Escape: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Steering · 125,365 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel violently drifted to the left, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the same failure had occurred after the tie rod ends were replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who then had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective steering column. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the recall was not related to the steering column failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,365

Filed Mar 29, 2024 · Body · MI

The component that failed was the "Engine Cradle". The front end of the vehicle was visibly sagging due to the failing engine cradle. The engine cradle was so severely rusted that the control arm could literally fall off vehicle while driving.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Body, Steering · 112,067 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after stopping to refuel the vehicle, while driving out from the gas station at 10 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole; however, further down the road the vehicle started pulling and tugging. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that subframe was fractured, the rack and pinion, and the passenger’s side control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,067.

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Suspension · IL

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.

Filed Mar 3, 2023 · Body · MO · crash · 1 injury

Available for inspection upon request. Front SUB- FRAME RUSTED IN 2 ON RIGHT LOWER SIDE. Right lower control arm bushing pulled out of arm. Driving on highway car without warning jerked off the road. Could have killed everyone in the car had it collided with anything. Car is completely in drivable because it is not safe. Problem has been confirmed. No there was not any warning lights or warning. I was told by a ford mechanic that there is no way that this car should have a subframe rust through.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Body · MI

Component: Engine Cradle/Front Subframe - (9L8Z-5C145-A) Large holes rusting in it on passenger side. Mechanic recommends replacement as otherwise hole could weaken the structure to the point it breaks, control arm could pop out. Seems to have been a known issue on older models like 2001-2004, but any newer models are not covered by Ford's recall, despite many people on forums saying they have the same problem. Problem noticed by mechanic within the last year or so. Some people hypothesize the problem comes from where the AC leaks its condensate.

Filed May 4, 2022 · Body · MI

The front suspension subframe k-frame crossmember has excessive errosion creating large gaps and holes in the frame, directly under the ac unit on the passenger side. The rust hole on top from the leaking fluid from the ac has continued to pool inside the cavity and caused erosion near the control arm. Unknown to me or any daily driver, this excessive rust is not prevalent anywhere else or something I was aware I needed to check. Other owners have been contacted and have experienced the same issue, some have had the part completely fail and cause accidents. The vehicle is very close to failure and I was not aware, there are no apparent side effects. I could easily cause an accident when using the vehicle. No other part of the vehicle has excessive rust so it is not a concern otherwise. The k-frame needs to be replaced and a hose needs to be ran from the Ac to redirect the fluid being dissipated onto the k-frame as it is.

Filed Sep 19, 2020 · Suspension · 84,129 miles · IL

Right front cross member at lower control arm completely rusted prematurely, front end started making clunking noise when driving

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Suspension · 63,810 miles · WI

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.

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 113,488 miles · PA

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.

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 106,000 miles · MA

My mother was driving the vehicle today straight on a street and she lost control of the vehicle and almost hit another vehicle (only by gods grace she was spared from a deadly accident). I went to look at the vehicle at her home and found out the right lower control arm where it is bolted to the front suspension cross member was severely fatigued that was corroded badly broke off unexpectedly without any warning at all. I then researched this issue afterwards and there were several complaints on line of vehicle about this same safety issue. I may be seeking legal counsel from todd tracy law firm of dallas tx. For this possibly deadly and severe defect that was not properly addressed from ford and the federal safety agency to consumers and is a hidden ticking time bomb putting people in danger. Why have you not notified people of this issue? I cannot be the first and only one with this issue.

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · NY

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