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: steering
138 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 18, 2020
WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT DAY IN THE MORNING, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON IT STARTED VIBRATING, WHICH I THOUGH WAS FROM THE COLD TEMPERATURE, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN LIKE NORMALLY. HAD A MECHANIC COME TO LOOK AT IT, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THIS WAS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN OTHER ESCAPES FROM DIFFERENT YEARS. WE FOUND THE RECALL FOR PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL. CAR HAS REMAINED PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY SINCE OCTOBER 2019. HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE RECALL AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT APPLICABLE TO OUR MODEL YEAR. *TR
Steering, Dec 15, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY @ 25 MPH AND MADE RIGHT TURN THEN THE STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. WAS HARD TO CONTROL SO I CAME TO A STOP. COULD NOT STEER CAR WITHOUT FORCING IT. HAD THE CAR TOWED. WHEN I STARTED IT UP AT HOME THE STEERING WAS FINE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT
Steering, Nov 15, 2019
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN MY POWER STEERING QUIT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT MY CAR HAD TURNED OFF BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. RETURNED HOME(ABOUT A MILE) AND THE CAR STEERING WASN'T WORKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BRING IT INTO BE DIAGNOSED. AFTER TURNING KEY OFF AND ON, DISCOVERED THAT I AGAIN HAD POWER STEERING. 2011 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. BUT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE $2600 TO FIX! NOT LIKELY!
Steering, Nov 15, 2019
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO ITS DESTINATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ECHELON FORD (LOCATED AT 4 S WHITE HORSE PIKE, STRATFORD, NJ 08084, (856) 627-8400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *AS
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LATER THAT DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,425.
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
MY WIFE HAD BEEN SAYING THAT HER ESCAPE STEERING WOULD GO OUT. IT HAPPENS ABOUT 3-5 TIMES PER DAY. WHEN SHE IS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. SHE HAS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN TURNING INTO A GAS STATION. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES FROM 2008-2011. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING AND FORD WILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES.
Steering, Jul 14, 2019
STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT WHILE DRIVING ON HWY AT 65 MPH . TOOK TO NEAREST SHOP . NO LIGHTS CAME ON DASH . WHEN ARRIVED AT SHOP STEERING WAS IN POSSIBLE . REPLACED SENSOR . STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN OUT OF CONTROL ON OWN . ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN
Steering, May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMBALL FORD (281-378-3160, LOCATED AT 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2019
THE AREA OF MOST CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. EIGHT MONTHS AGO, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING JUST AFTER EXITING A FREEWAY. NOW IT IS MAKING THE SAME SOUND AGAIN AND MY MECHANIC FEELS THE WHEEL MAY LOCK COMPLETELY.I DRIVE MOUNTAIN PASSES, WHICH MAKES THIS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. CONTACT WITH LOCAL AND CORPORATE FORD SAYS IT IS MY PROBLEM TO GET IT OVER AN HOUR AWAY TO THE DEALER, AND REPAIR WILL BE AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I LEARNED ONLY AFTER CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE, THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE FUEL MODULE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FIRE. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS UNTIL I REPORTED THE STEERING ISSUE TO THE COMPANY. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL TAKE FOUR WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM LOSING INCOME EVERY DAY AS I DRIVE FOR A LIVING. NO CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ME, MY FAMILY, OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AT A SLOW RATE WHEN MY BRAKING FEEL LIKE THERE WAS BORN ABS AND MY CAR WAS GETTING TO CLOSE AND I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND COULDN'T TURN IT. AN HOUR LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN WELL AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PASSING A VEHICLE. I HAD NO BRAKES AT THAT POINT. THIS HAPPENED APRIL 20, 2019. CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS. MY ESCAPE IS BECOMING A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN BRAKING I FEEL MY SYSTEM KEEPS SLIPPING IN THE FRONT END AND A SAGGING IN THE REAR. WHEN I DRIVE IT, I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP. TURNING FEELINGS RIGID AND STIFF AT TIMES. A CAR HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD TO DO A HARD STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP AND STEERING WOULDN'T ALLOW TO TURN. I HAD TO TURN A HARSH RIGHT TO AVOID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE 1ST DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 26 MAY 2016 FROM GLENBROOK HYUNDAI IN FORT WAYNE, IN.
Steering, Suspension, Seat belts, Mar 25, 2019
MY VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN I DRIVE FROM THE WHEEL BARREL
Steering, Mar 2, 2019
PREHEATED THE CAR FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE LEAVNG FOR WORK IN -8 DEGREE WEATHER. TRIED TO PULL OUT ONTO HIGHWAY AND STEEERING WENT OUT. HAD TO REALLY MANHANDLE WHEEL TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO THE ROAD. THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS SNOWIN WHHEL WELL OR SOMETHING. I OULLED OVER TO LOOK, WHHEELS WERE CLEAR. TRIED DRVING FORWARD INTO A ROUND ABOUTAND ALMOST MISSED THE CURVE. VERY SCARY,STEERING BECAME EVEN WORSE SO BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT.CAR DOES NOT STEER IN MOTION OR STATIONARY WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
Steering, Feb 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO LAKE VIEW FORD (LOCATED AT 12381 CONNEAUT LAKE RD, CONNEAUT LAKE, PA 16316, (814) 382-5485) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,718. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WOULD NOT STEER.*JB
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING SCARY ACTION TO STEER THE CAR.AFTER STOPPING FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER THE CAR CAN C=BE CRANKED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED.I HAVE WRITTEN THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO EXPLAIN THIS TROUBLE AND THEY HAVE DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER THE SAME RECALL THE 2008-2011 ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE ENJOYED TO GET THIS TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE TO BE CORRECTED.MANY, MANY OTHER 2012 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE INTERNET SITES ARE FULL OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS.THIS IS VERY TROUBLING TO ME...
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
ON OCTOBER 26, 2018, I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY TURN, MY WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND LOCKED INTO ONE POSITION. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE BEFORE I COULD SAFELY TURN IT INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN IT AND STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. I SAT IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHILE MAKING SOME PHONE CALLS TO FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT MY SITUATION. AT ONE POINT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS WORKING. VERY SCARY SITUATION. I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION B2278 CODE 100.427. SINCE MY MECHANIC CLEARED THE CODE, 3 SEPARATE FORD DEALERS REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT WITHOUT AN ACTIVE CODE. SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND HOLDING MY BREATH EACH TIME I MAKE A TURN AND KEEP LOOKING FOR THE STRAIGHTEST PATH WHEREVER I GO. BUT LUCKY FOR ME, ON DECEMBER 24, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND COULDN'T START CAR FROM A PARKED POSITION. HOPING THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO THE FIRST. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR, NOTHING. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED. MY WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE. HOPING THE TWO INCIDENTS ARE RELATED SO I CAN GET THIS NERVE WRACKING SITUATION REPAIRED. ALSO FILED FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH FORD CORPORATION.
Steering, Dec 8, 2018
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. PRIOR MODEL YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
MY POWER STEERING IS RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP AND HAVING IT INSPECTED THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER FORGOT HOW TO DRIVE IN A WAY. SO THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THAT NIGHT MY ESCAPE DID THE SAME THING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF WORK IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS FINE. THEN TODAY IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF THEN RESTART IT AND AFTER THAT IT WAS FINE AGAIN. I RESEARCHED ANY RECALLS AND THERE WAS SOME FOR 2011 MODELS BUT I'M WONDERING IF IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO THE 2012 AS WELL?
Steering, Nov 28, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE ON OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE AT APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ON A SERIES OF WINDY BACK ROADS, SHORTLY AFTER SETTING OUT, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT DIFFICULT AND VERY UNSAFE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT YET ON THE HIGHWAY. RECALLS EXIST FOR PREVIOUS YEARS THAT DOCUMENT THE SAME ISSUE BUT ONE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL, LEAVING MANY UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROAD. PARTS ALONE FOR THE REPAIR WERE QUOTED AT $900.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING GARAGE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. I STARTED THE CAR ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER AND IT WAS FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE SENSOR. I MENTIONED THE RECALL ON THE 2011S AND THE GUY BLEW IT OFF...THANKFULLY THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 2500.00. INSTEAD IT ONLY COST ME 775.00.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2018
POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS STILL POSSIBLE, ALTHOUGH VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS PRESENTS A MAJOR HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. A RECALL EXISTS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 2008-2011.
Steering, Nov 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING GETS REALLY HARD TO TURN. IT LOOSES POWER ASSIST. IT WILL QUIT IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS THE SAME COMPLAINT INVOLVED IN ANOTHER RECALL BUT THIS TRUCK IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL... 1500 DOLLAR REPAIR TO REPLACE PARTS FROM FORD
Steering, Suspension, Nov 18, 2018
STARTED LAST YEAR . PROBLEM OCCUR FORWARD OR BACKING UP. STEERING WILL BECOME HEAVY AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WILL GET LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL SIMULTINEOULY STOP BUT ENGINE STAYS ON. I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO OFF AND TURN BACK TO ON. THEN I RESUME DRIVING UNTIL IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER THEY DECLINED ANY RECALLS. THEY CLAIMED RECALLS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE PRIOR YEAR 2011. THE COST TO REPAIR COULD BE UP TO $1300 AS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE SYMBOL DIAGNOSIS CODE THAT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. STRTED A YEAR AGO WITH MILEAGE AROUND 135,000 AND CONTINUE TILL TODATE . WHEEL BEARING WERE EXCHANGED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS UNKOWING TO ME OF THE RECALL.
Steering, Nov 12, 2018
TURNED ON TO ON-RAMP TO HIGHWAY, POWERING STEERING FAILED. HARD TO TURN WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULLED TO COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND TURN VEHICLE BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING ONCE AGAIN. DROVE HWY 14 MILES AND TOOK OFF-RAMP AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
EPAS (POWER STEERING COLUMN) WENT OUT, NOT COVERED IN PAST RECALL - MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING POWERING ISSUES WITH THESE FORDS... SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLF MILL FORD (9401 N MILWAUKEE AVE, NILES, IL 60714, (847) 470-9800), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.