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: other or unspecified
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2017
SHIFTER ON VEHICLE WON'T ENGAGE FROM PARK TO REVERSE
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2017
A WIDELY-KNOWN DEFECTIVE A/C PART DAMAGED ENTIRE SYSTEM. "DESSICANT BAG BROKE." I PAID $125 TO DIAGNOSIS, "AROUND $2300" TO REPLACE ALL COMPONENTS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE $30 PART THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED ANYTIME I HAD IT AT DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IF THEY WOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING. THE ISSUE STARTED AROUND 4 YEARS OLD/40K MILES (ESSENTIALLY RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED). SEVERAL FORD TECHS HAVE SAID THIS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. A VERY PREVALENT ISSUE WHEN YOU SEARCH ONLINE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AFQH2B_OV6C SSM 22492 REGARDING FAILURE OF THE RECEIVER/DRYER. THE QUOTED TEXT IS ON THIS PAGE, THANKS TO MAKULOCO2000 SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES 22492 2009- 2011 MARINER / 2009-20012 ESCAPE - A/C LACK OF COOLING DUE TO DESICCANT MATERIAL SOME 2009-2012 ESCAPE/MARINER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN A/C LACK OF COOLING. THIS MAY BE DUE TO DESICCANT CUP MOLDING RELEASING FINE PARTICLES/DEBRIS INTO A/C SYSTEM; WHICH EVENTUALLY CONTRIBUTES TO A RESTRICTION IN THE SYSTEM. SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE EXCESSIVE HIGH SIDE PRESSURES; LOW SIDE PRESSURE CAN BE EXTREMELY HIGH OR LOW; A/C COMPRESSOR MAY NOT ENGAGE OR ENGAGES FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME; PRESSURES SLOW TO EQUALIZE AFTER COMPRESSOR SHUTS OFF. IF ROTUNDA FLUSHINGMACHINE IS NOT AVAILABLE REPLACE ALL COMPONENTS OF A/C, INCLUDING LINES. VERIFY ACCUMULATOR/RECEIVER DRIER IS PN BL8Z-19C836-B (ENGINEERING PN BL84-19E961-AB); REFER TO WSM, 412-03. IF ROTUNDA FLUSHING MACHINE IS AVAILABLE, FLUSH CONDENSER AND EVAPORATOR CORE; REFER TO WSM, 412-00. RECHARGE SYSTEM REFER TO WSM, 413-01 AND USE AVAILABLE SERVICE LABOR TIMES. EFFECTIVE DATE: 26-AUGUST-2012 HTTPS://FORD.PISSEDCONSUMER.COM/COMPLETE-AC-FAILURE-AC-DRYER-FAILURE-20130420402060.HTML?UTM_EXPID=139295969-18.9XI-IQVTSIU4TFZKTEGU_A.0&UTM_REFERRER=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.FORD-TRUCKS.COM%2FFORUMS%2F1378714-DEBRIS-IN-A-C-CLEAN-FLUSH-VS-REPLACEMENT.HTML
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 2, 2017
WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE AND WANTS ME TO RESCHEDULE TO BRING IT N AGAIN A WEEK LATER. THIS HAPPENS EVERY I STOP OR SLOW DOWN IN A RIGHT TURN. I GET THE VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. I HAVE TAKES ELSE WHERE TO CHECK IF THERE IS SOMETHING STUCK IN THE BRAKE BUT NOTHING FOUND THEY DO REPLICATE PROBLEM BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I CAN NOT DRIVE UNTIL THIS IS FIXED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER IS NO HELP MAYBE MANUFACTURE OR SOMEONE ELSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO CAN ASSIST.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2017
THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM P2111. ALSO TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP INTO GEAR CAUSING A LURCHING ACTION AND LOUD POP NOISE. MOVING DOWN STREET WHEN CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. LIMPED INTO AUTOZONE WHO RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND CAME BACK WITH P2111. THEN THEY LOOKED IT UP ON YOUTUBE AND FOUND HOW TO RESET IT (TURN KEY TO LOCK, SLOWLY (10 SEC) PUSH DOWN ACCELERATOR PADDLE, HOLD FOR 10 SEC, DEACCELERATE AT SAME RATE, TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART. IT WORKED FOR A FEW BLOCKS AND IT DID IT AGAIN. RINSE AND REPEAT SEVERAL TIMES TO GET HOME. LAST TIME ENGINE SYMBOL CAME ON...
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2017
MY CAR WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON, THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFT GATE EXPLODED. IT WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET.
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 12, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I COULDN'T HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND IT RESTARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME A HANDFUL OF TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, BUT EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CANNOT FIX IT. THE FORD DEALERSHIPS OFFER TO "TAKE A LOOK AT IT" FOR A HIGH PRICE, AND CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG EITHER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND/OR FUEL SYSTEM, BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, FORD SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OF THE FORD ESCAPE TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE FORUMS STATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THIS, ALL OF THEM STATING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO BAD ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG OR FIX THEIR VEHICLES. AS CONSUMERS, WE PAY A VERY HIGH PRICE FOR VEHICLES THAT WE DEPEND ON DAILY TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. FORD SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SATISFACTION OF ITS CUSTOMERS.
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2016
AUTO DOOR LOCK / UNLOCK FEATURE WILL NOT ALLOW A PERSON IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT TO ESCAPE FROM A DISABLED VEHICLE IF THE DRIVER IS INCAPACITATED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2016
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED ON ITS OWN WHILE PARKED IN A MOUNTAIN FISHING LOT
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2016
AC UNIT QUIT WORKING AT 42000 MILES. THE REAR WINDOW LEAKS, BAD LATCHES.
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.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
WHEN I TURN IT MAKES A POP, THE TAIL GATE (TRUNK) WILL NOT OPEN AND BACK LIGHT SHORTAGE OUT AT TIMES. CAR BALLS OUT SOMETIME WHEN I'M TRYING TO GO AND WILL IDLE UP ON ITS OWN AT TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2015
MAY 7, 2013, I WOKE UP TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT AND CLEARED BOTH FRONT SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES. THEY ALSO INSPECTED, REMOVED AND INSTALLED FRONT SEATS AND CENTER CONSOLE FOR CARPET CLEANING (ACCORDING TO MY INVOICE). I WAS TOLD THE WATER WAS THERE BECAUSE THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES DUMPED WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. MARCH 31, 2014, I TOOK MY CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF HAVING WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP UNSUCCESSFULLY, AND TAKING MY FLOOR SOAKED CAR BACK HOME. I SPOKE WITH A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THEY WERE WILLING TO COVER THE PRICE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. I TOOK MY ESCAPE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, ACCORDING TO MY INVOICE THEY CHECKED THE SUNROOF, THEN ADJUSTED THE SUNROOF AND CLEANED SUNROOF DRAINS. I WAS TOLD THE SOLUTION WAS TO 1- AVOID TREES AND 2-HAVE MY SUNROOF TUBES BLOWN OUT AT OIL CHANGES. I HAVE SINCE AVOIDED TREES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE HAD MY OIL CHANGE EXPERTS BLOW OUT THE TUBES. NOVEMBER 9, 2015, I WOKE UP TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. I CALLED FORD, I WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL REP WILL CONTACT ME BY END OF DAY THE NEXT DAY. I HAD THE DRAIN TUBES BLOWN OUT IN SEPTEMBER AT MY LAST OIL CHANGE. NOVEMBER 10, 2015, I WAS CONTACTED BY THE REGIONAL REP., I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS, JUST BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THIS IS THE SAME THING. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD. EACH TIME I FOUND THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AFTER NOT BEING IN MOTION WITH WET FLOORS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2015
THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE I NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR LATCH SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR GOES BAD FROM WATER DAMAGE CAUSED BY LEAKING REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE ALL THE DOORS OF A VEHICLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY EXIT FROM VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST OF REAR LATCH PROBLEMS THAT FORD HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2015
SUNROOF/MOONROOF OF OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE EXPLODED FOR NO REASON A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER PURCHASE. LUCKILY, WE HAD THE COVER SHUT OR IT WOULD'VE INJURED US AND OUR SMALL CHILD. FORD DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, THEY WANTED US TO CLAIM IT ON OUR CAR INSURANCE. I HAD (AND STILL HAVE) PLENTY OF PICTURES DOCUMENTING THAT THIS HAPPENED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NOTHING CRASHED INTO THE SUNROOF CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE SUNROOF EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT; IT LOOKED LIKE A VOLCANO. FORD STILL REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. THIS COULD'VE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITATION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2015
TAILGATE GLASS OPENED ON ITS OWN. HINGE ON TAILGATE GLASS BROKE DUE TO CORROSION UPON CLOSING TAILGATE GLASS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2015
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT MY CAR STALLED OUT AND DIED COMPLETELY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50MPH, GET A LOUD THUD, THUD, SOUND. ALONG WITH A CHANGE IN INTERIOR PRESSURE, OR REAR WHEEL PROBLEM. SLIGHT VIBRATION NOTICED. SOUND RELLY HURTS EARS HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED BELOW 50 MPH. DEALER HAS FAILED TO MAKE AN IN DEPTH INSPECTION OR TEST DRIVE SUV. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS INDICATED THIS IS WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS (MORE OR LESS). CURRENTLY PAYING FOR A SO CALLED TOP RTAED FORD PRODUCT. BUT I CAN NOT ENJOY THE FULL CAPACITY OF IT. MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF BUYING A FORD PRODUCT.