2012 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 600 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 37 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpOct 26, 2016
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V777000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
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.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2012
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEB 2012...DRIVE IT AN HR OR SO 1 WAY EVERYDAY TO WORK...IN JULY STARTED TO NOTICE IT WOULD LAG WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS...AT START AND IN BETWEEN GEARS. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THEY HAD IT FOR LESS THEN 3 HRS AND SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG BUT RESET THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER PROBLEM SHOULD GO AWAY. IT GOT WORSE TOOK IT BACK 2 WKS LATER FOR SAME ISSUE TRANSMISSION TECH DROVE IT WITH ME IN THE CAR, FOUND NO ISSUE...TOOK IT BACK 3 WKS LATE SAME ISSUE A DIFFERENT PERSON TOLD ME THAT'S NOT NORMAL THEY DROVE IT SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT FORD SAYS IT'S NORMAL FOR A HARD SHIFT ON A COLD START. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK NOW FOR A 4TH TIME TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT......CAR HARD SHIFTS NOT JUST ON COLD START AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE I WOULD HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FROM DAY 1 NOT 5 MONTHS INTO DRIVING........THIS DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE BUT I AM TOLD I HAVE TO GET USED TO IT...... *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 27, 2012
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55-60 AND THEN COASTING COMING TO A STOP, ONCE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HITS AROUND 35-40...VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD...CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR...I'VE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE BEHAVE LIKE THIS AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER THAT NORMAL.. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 03/16/12*LJ UPDATED 05/03/12