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: structure
68 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL WATER INTRUSION AROUND THE SEALS, WHICH AFFECTED THE LIFTGATE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LIFTGATE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN. THE DEALER (FRED BEANS FORD OF BOYERTOWN, 525 PA-100, BECHTELSVILLE, PA 19505, (610) 367-2081) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Structure, Aug 17, 2018
RUSTING OF THE REAR INNER WHEELS WELL AND FENDERS OVER BOTH WHEELS. IF NOT REPAIRED COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST MIGRATING INTO THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR.
Structure, Jul 29, 2018
VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON I575 ON-RAMP WHEN THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND BLOCKING ALL FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE HOOD DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF BEING UNLATCHED, SUCH AS RATTLING, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE SAFETY LATCH DID NOT STOP THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAK-DOWN LANE AND AVOID A COLLISION WITH MERGING TRAFFIC. THE HOOD WAS SEVERELY BENT BUT WAS ABLE TO BE SECURED SUFFICIENTLY TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME.
Air bags, Structure, May 6, 2018, crash
IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
Structure, Apr 16, 2018
HOOD LATCH FAILURE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AT 55MPH AND THE HOOD JUST FLEW OPEN. MY VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS LAST OPENED APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE HOOD IS BENT TO THE POINT IT WILL NOT CLOSE AND THE WINDSHIELD IS SEVERELY CRACKED.
Structure, Nov 30, 2017
BOUGHT THIS FORE ESCAPE 3 YEARS OLD. (OUT OF WARRANTY). NOTICED AFTER BUYING IT, THAT THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FENDER. THE INNER FENDER WELL IS RUSTED. THE LIFT GATE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO RUST AT THE LOWER SEAM. RUST IS VISIBLE. I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX/REPAIR THIS FLAW. YOU SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY ON A CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING AFTER THREE YEARS. DEFECT OR POOR WORKMANSHIP.
Structure, Nov 24, 2017
2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTING ABOVE REAR WHEEL WALLS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/24/2017*JS
Structure, Nov 7, 2017
THE BODY HAS RUSTED THROUGH AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS AND ALONG THE REAR HATCH DOOR. PLUS THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF OF THE ENGINE HOOD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. BUT THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT FORD BECAUSE OF WARRANTY ISSUES.
Structure, Aug 29, 2017
2012 FORD ESCAPE VIN # [XXX] REAR WINDOW HINGES CORRODED. PICTURES ATTACHED OF CORRODED HINGES BOTH SIDES -ONE WORSE THAN THE OTHER PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY .... LATER WENT OUT TO RUN ERRAND AND THE WINDOW WAS OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND CORROSION AT BOTH HINGES CAUSING ONE SIDE OF WINDOW TO DROP OFF. TODAY REVIEWING INTERNET COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. ONE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED PROBLEM IS COMMON AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SAID NOT A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WE SELL QUITE A FEW HINGES. IS THIS PROBLEM NOT BEING REPORTED BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS BUY THE LOW COST REPLACEMENT HINGES AND REPAIR THIS ON THEIR OWN? WOULD APPRECIATE A REVIEW OF THESE COMPLAINTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Aug 19, 2017
MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND ADVISED ME TO CONTACT CORPORATE SINCE HE NEEDED THEIR APPROVAL TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED BY CORPORATE THAT SINCE MY 3-YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HOW IS IT THAT MY VEHICLE, THAT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE? THE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AS WELL AS GARAGE KEPT.
Structure, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2017
I PURCHASED MY 2012 ESCAPE IN AUGUST 2014,WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN TEN MONTHS, THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR AREA AND A GREEN SUBSTANCE WAS BLOWING OUT. THE REAR LIFT GATE ONLY OPENED SOME OF THE TIME, OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND NOW DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL, POSSIBLY BECAUSE WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE HATCH WINDOW, AND HAS DONE SO SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2017
IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS BOTH DUE TO UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH FAILURES ON OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE. IN BOTH CASES, WHILE DRIVING ON SAN DIEGO AREA FREEWAYS, THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY FLEW UP AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE NOT ONLY TO THE HOOD BUT ALSO THE HOOD HINGES, WINDSHIELD AND AREA SURROUNDING THE WINDSHIELD. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR OUR FORD ESCAPE FOR BOTH ACCIDENTS WAS ALMOST $9,200. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AVOIDING OTHER VEHICLES IN EACH CASE, THE POTENTIAL FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLE AND SERIOUS INJURY EVEN DEATH WAS POSSIBLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE RADIATOR, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS A POORLY DESIGNED SAFETY LATCH AND SPRING WHICH SHOULD ONLY ALLOW THE HOOD TO BE RAISED AFTER THE SAFETY LATCH IS MANUALLY RELEASED. OBVIOUSLY, IN BOTH CASES, THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH WAS NOT MANUALLY RELEASED BUT RATHER RELEASED FOR SOME OTHER REASON SUCH AS WIND, BUMPY ROAD, ETC. RELATED TO THIS UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH ISSUE IS THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE DASH. THIS HOOD RELEASE LEVER IS CO-LOCATED NEAR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE. OBVIOUSLY, THE POTENTIAL FOR PULLING THE WRONG LEVER IS PRESENT BECAUSE OF THIS CO-LOCATION. NONETHELESS, THE HOOD SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO RISE, IF BOTH THE UNDER DASH LEVER AND THE UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH ARE MANUALLY PULLED / MOVED. THE HOOD SHOULD NEVER FLY OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY OR OTHER HIGHWAY EVEN IF THE UNDER DASH LEVER IS PULLED. AGAIN, THE UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH AND SPRING ARE POORLY DESIGNED IN OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE ALLOWING THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE OUR CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
Structure, May 30, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE NOT ALLOWING ME TO CLOSE THE DOOR AT ALL. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEARS 2013-2015 NOT INCLUDING 2012. I HAD THE PART REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL AND I NEEDED A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP IT CLOSED AS WELL AS HOLDING IT WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE THE PART THAT WAS BROKEN IN MY POSSESSION AT THIS TIME. I AM WONDERING IF THE PART IN MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN A PIECE THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. I DISCOVERED THIS BROKEN LATCH WHILE OUT SHOPPING WHEN RETURNING TO MY CAR AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE STICKERS ON THE PART IDENTIFY THE PART AS FOLLOWS. 4171412002 12023 17:45 037 6761 BL84 78219A65 AB31T3 FD LH MIC (STONE) MODULE FOR FORD 32
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2017
THE ACTUALTRUNK OF THE SUV DOES NOT OPEN ON A CONSISTANT BASIS,YOU HAVE TO USE THE LIFEGATE IF YOU WANT TO PUT OR TAKE OUT ANYTHING OUT THE TRUNK.
Structure, Mar 8, 2017
RUST PROBLEMS IN THE REAR QUARTER PANELS BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE DEAL I WENT TO TOLD ME UPFRONT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 MODELS BUT WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS RUST IS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PANELS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. TAKE A LOOK ON THE ROAD NO VEHICLES HAVE RUST PROBLEMS THESE DAYS. EXCEPT FOR FORD. THEY EITHER USED THE WRONG PRIMER OR DID A POOR PAINT JOB. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS RUST PROBLEM AND FIX IT AT NO CHARGE.
Structure, Feb 12, 2017
TRUNK KEEP LOCKING UNABLE TO OPEN EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUAL SWITCH..NOW HINDERING CHANGING OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS. NOW I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A MALFUNCTION TRUNK THAT WON'T OPEN FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AUTO SHOPS I HAVE BEEN TO CAN'T GET IT OPEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Structure, Feb 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME STUCK ON A PLASTIC PIECE THAT PROTRUDED OUTWARDS NEAR THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,600.
Structure, Jan 24, 2017
I HAVE OWNED THIS ESCAPE FOR A LITTLE OVER 5 YRS (OUT OF WARRANTY). I JUST NOTICED THIS WINTER THAT THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE INNER FENDER WELL (SAME SIDE) - THE METAL IS WARPED AND RUSTED. THE LIFT GATE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO RUST AT THE LOWER SEAM. RUST IS VISIBLE. I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX/REPAIR THIS FLAW. IT IS DEFINATELY A DEFECT OR POOR WORKMANSHIP.
Visibility, Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2016
TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHTTIME, ALONE. I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN SIGHT, AND THEY WERE NO OVERPASSES ANYWHERE NEAR ME. AS I WAS DRIVING, OUT OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE MY REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. GLASS WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE, EVEN TO THE POINT OF HITTING THE FRONT SEAT. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT SOMEONE MAY HAVE THROWN A BRICK THROUGH MY WINDOW. LUCKILY I HAD MY WITS ABOUT ME ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND SEE WHAT IT HAPPENED. I EXAMINED MY VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT THERE WERE NO ROCKS AND STILL NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS WINDOW TO HAVE EXPLODED; IT HAPPENED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. IF I HAD A DOG OR CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS DRIVING AT 120KM/HR, THE SHEER NOISE AND SHOCK OF THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED ME TO BE IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I REACTED THE WAY THAT I DID, BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE. GLASS SHARDS WERE ALL OVER MY CAR. THEY FLEW TO THE FRONT SEAT. THEY CAME OUT AT SUCH A SPEED THEY EASILY COULD HAVE BLINDED OR CUT SOMEONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD SUVS! THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEWS REPORTS AND YET FORD HAS DONE NOTHING AS OF YET! *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKED ONCE IT WAS AT THE RESIDENCE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2016
AC UNIT QUIT WORKING AT 42000 MILES. THE REAR WINDOW LEAKS, BAD LATCHES.
Structure, Aug 19, 2016
BODY PAINT PEELING AND RUST IN MULTIPLE AREAS INCLUDING WHEEL WELLS AND REAR CARGO DOOR SINCE 38K MILES. NOW AT 43K MILES MORE RUST IS VISIBLE. AT THIS POINT THE WARRANTY IS USELESS UNLESS RUST IS THROUGH BODY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2016
REAR LIFT GLASS HINGES CORRODE AND SNAP. MY HINGES BROKE WHILE STATIONARY THE VEHICLE WAS AT REST AND THE LIFT GATE WAS NOT IN USE.
Structure, Jul 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Jul 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LIFTGATE AND BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.