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 27, 2017
I HAVE TRIED YOUR PHONE NUMBER AT LEAST 4 TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND IT RINGS 20 TIMES AND THEN GOES TO A BUSY SIGNAL. YOU ARE ABOUT AS ORGANIZED AS THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY! PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2017
FUEL IS LEAKING AT ALL POINTS CLAMPED TO BODY. FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT AT EVERY POINT THAT WAS CLAMPED TO BODY FROM ENGINE TO FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HARSH CONDITIONS. FUEL LINES NOT RUSTED OUTSIDE OF CLAMPS.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2017
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 RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2017
AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN MY GARAGE COMING FROM THE GAS FILL AREA OF THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AFTER FILLING WITH FUEL. I FILL THE CAR ONCE A MONTH.
Steering, Jan 26, 2017
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. TOOK A LOT OF STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW NOVEMBER 2011. *TR
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.
Steering, Jan 14, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES IN 3 HOURS. TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREEETS, ONCE LEAVING A PARKING SPOT
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER HELD THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IT DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS RE-ENGINEERING THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RELEASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE PART TO BE SENT TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/29/17 LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO IMPROPERLY SHIFT AND SHUTTER ON ACCELERATION AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. UPDATED 08/30/2017 *JS
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2016
BACK WINDOW SHATTERED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT.
Traction control system, Service brakes, Dec 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 8, 2016, fire
I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL OF MY FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND WENT THRU THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. I HAD BEEN PAYING A YEAR FOR THIS AUTO AND NOW HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER. I CALLED FORD AFTER THE FIRE TO COMPLAIN AND THAT'S WHEN I LEARNED OF THE RECALL. I LOST MY CAR AND MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS. I WANT TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME.
Power train, Dec 4, 2016
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND MADE A THUMPING NOISE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND IT STARTED AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR STOPPED AND HE WAS BEEPING AT MY CAR. IT WAS LUCKY THAT HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND QUICKLY STOPPED AS THIS WAS VERY UNEXPECTED AS I WAS ACCELERATING AND NOT BRAKING TO CLUE HIM INTO STOPPING. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS TURNING LEFT AGAIN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND THEN WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AGAIN AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND IT WAS MAKING A THUMPING NOISE AGAIN. THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS FRIGHTENING AS THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE AT FULL SPEED, AT LEASE 30MPH AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CARS DRIVING AT FULL SPEED HAD TO QUICK GO INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID HITTING MY CAR. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I QUICK PUT THE BRAKE ON SO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE SEEN AND THEN THE FLASHERS. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP AND THEN ACCELERATED. I AM GOING RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING AS THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I JUST GOOGLED THE THROTTLE AS THAT IS WHAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT STOOD FOR IN THE MANUAL AND I AM SEEING THIS HAD BEEN A FORD ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. I GET MY OIL CHANGES AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS WAS NEVER TOLD TO ME. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS!!!! *TR
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION AND STRONG FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FUEL TRAVELING THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT NOT YET DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2016
THE REAR WINDOW OF THIS FORD ESCAPE LEAKS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES ON THE REAR WINDOW, MOISTURE COLLECTION IN CENTER BRAKE LIGHT, AND WATER RESIDUE IN/ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN REAR DOOR. BEGAN AT ABOUT 24,000 MILES. OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN ISSUE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AT 39,000 MILES. ALL MILES WITHIN FIRST YEAR TO 18 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE WATER LEAVES STREAKS AND STAINING ON THE INTERIOR GLASS DURING HEAVY RAINS AND MELTING SNOW.
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 11/28/16.*JB UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 02/13/17.*JB
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
I GOT THIS VEHICLE FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE ABOUT STALLING/STUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM PARK OR WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I CAN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM FOR THE TECHNICIANS, BUT I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM (13N03). I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE ABOUT IT AND THEY MADE A CASE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR ME AND SAID THEY MUST WORK WITH CORPORATE TO HELP ME. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER BASICALLY TOLD ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO IF IT CAN'T BE REPLICATED. I HAVE CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND I'M BACK AT SQUARE 1.