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
600 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED TO PERFORM BRAKE MAINTENANCE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THIS WAS THE CONTACT'S SECOND ATTEMPT TO GET THE REMEDY REPAIRED BY MODERN FORD OF BOONE (300 NEW MARKET BLVD, BOONE, NC). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMING THE RECALL REMEDY HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2018
THE BACK LIFTGATE WILL NOT OPEN, BUT THE GLASS WILL . O HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE 2012 FORD ESCAPE .
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON FORD OF CLINTON (1001 STATE ROUTE 10 WEST, CLINTON, IL 61727, 217-935-3106) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A PART WAS MISSING WITH THE KIT, WHICH WAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER, BUT UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,992. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (HANSEL FORD LINCOLN, 3075 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BILL COLLINS FORD LINCOLN (4220 BRADSTOWN ROAD E, LOUISVILLE, KY) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DIEHL FORD LINCOLN (1820 JAMES ST, BELLINGHAM, WA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 27, 2018
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! THIS VEHICLE WILL, WITHOUT WARNING, LOSE POWER. THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUTDOWN, BUT IT LOSES POWER AS MINIMAL FUEL IS GETTING TO ENGINE. STEERING NOT LOST, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEEM OK, BUT NO RESPONSE WHEN STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS, RANDOM TIMES WITHOUT WARNING OR REGARD TO ANY CONDITIONS I CAN DETERMINE (WEATHER, SPEED, AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS). THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHERE YOU SOMEHOW HAVE TO STEER CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC GOING 60+ MPH! THIS COULD CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT AND EVEN LEAD TO SOME DEATHS - IT IS VERY UNNERVING! THE ISSUE ALSO HAPPENS AT OTHER TIMES, NON-HIGHWAY DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, EVEN JUST PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY! IT IS RANDOM AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE AND ANY VEHICLE THAT MAY WRECK INTO IT DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATES, BUT THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THUS FAR, IF THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN PARK, TURNED OFF, THEN RESTARTED, IT USUALLY RESTARTS - UNTIL THE NEXT RANDOM TIME IT OCCURS. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY OR SOMETHING IN THAT PATH. THERE IS SPACE FOR ONLY ONE OCCURRENCE OF THIS, BUT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY CODES IN THE ARCHIVE, SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. ONE OTHER THING, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES UNEXPECTEDLY SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (FORD STORE IN MORGAN HILL, CALIFORNIA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2018
RECALL 16V-777. FORD HAS NO PART AVAILABLE AND NO TIME LINER WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (WALKER FORD, 17556 US HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764) STATED THAT FORD WAS NOT PERFORMING REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BECAUSE IT CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO MORE OF THESE RECALLS WOULD BE REPAIRED UNTIL FORD AGREED TO PAY FOR A FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2018
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH MY VIN #, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE THAT MAY DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE FUEL SUPPLY TANK. I CALL THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TODAY AND THE RECEPTIONIST SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET A POST CARD FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME, NOW I'M WRITING A COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT OR REPLACED ASAP. GOD FORBID ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN. MAKE THIS RIGHT!
Air bags, Feb 13, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, LEFT AND RIGHT WRISTS, BACK, RIGHT KNEES, RIGHT ANKLE AND THE RIGHT FOOT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2018
NO COLD AIR IN AIR CONDITIONER WHOLE MOTOR REPLACED IN 2014 LOCK ON BACK HATCH REPLACED BROKE AGAIN . THE ELECTRICAL RADIO DASH BROKE. RECALL POWER CHAIN WRENCH LIGHT ON AGAIN. HEATING COAL REPLACED
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER (OLATHE FORD LINCOLN, 1845 E SANTA FE ST, OLATHE, KS 66062) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH 2018. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Seat belts, Feb 2, 2018
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT TIGHTEN ACROSS MY CHEST. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I'M PUTTING MYSELF IN DANGER EVERY TIME I RIDE IN THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (SAN GALLAWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (KENNY ROSS FORD, 3200 LIBRARY ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15234, (412) 923-4899) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Service brakes, Jan 4, 2018
BRAKES FAILED AND ENDED UP GOING THROUGH CROSS TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER $4990 AND A FULL MONTH AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THE HCU HAD A LEAKING SEAL AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISABLE THE BRAKES!
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 19, 2017, crash
AT RANDOM POINTS IN TIME WHEN CAR IS ON, DOESNT MATTER WHAT SPEED, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IS UNABLE TO BE MOVED UNTILL CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. I JUST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY IN BRATTLEBORO VT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR XMAS FROM COLLEGE WHEN I WENT RIGHT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO A SNOWBANK. AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND NOBODY WAS HURT AND LUCKLY I DIDNT HIT ANY OTHER CARS OR PROPERTY. CAR IS BEING TOWED BACK HOME TO A MECHANIC. I HAD GONE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE, IN MY DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, AND AFTER PAYING A $100 DIAGNOSIS FEE, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT I WAS IMAGINING THINGS. I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH SINCE THEN AND THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT ON THE 2012 MODEL.
Steering, Dec 14, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE ON MY TOWN STREETS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED AWHILE AND RESTORED THE VEHICLE. JUST AS SUDDENLY AS IT OCCURRED THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE POWER STEERING. MY FORD DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THAT THEIR COMPUTER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS ARE REQUIRED.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 28, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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
Vehicle speed control, Nov 22, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED VERY HIGH BEFORE THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX, VA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.