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.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 22, 2016
I HAVE A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND IT JUST STARTED ACTING UP. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPT 12, 16 WHILE I WAS HEADED TO WORK. WHILE ACCERLERATING FROM BEING IN PARK, THE THROTTLE BODY/ POWER TRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATES CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD AND A LOT OF SQUEAKING COMES FROM THE CAR. SO, I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE EGNITION. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT GOES BACK TO DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES WITHIN 45 DAYS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2016
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED ON ITS OWN WHILE PARKED IN A MOUNTAIN FISHING LOT
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A LOOSE BATTERY WIRING HARNESS AND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2016
THE IGNITION ON THIS VEHICLE RANDOMLY WILL NOT WORK. THERE IS APPARENTLY A COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH WITH IT FAILING TO ENGAGE AND START THE VEHICLE.
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.
Steering, Sep 16, 2016
THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2012 FORD ESCAPE STEERING THAT PLAGUED THE PRIOR YEAR MODELS, DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND ESTIMATE $1-$2K IN REPAIRS, THIS IS A EXTREME CONCERN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THEY DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT AGAIN AFTER THE ISSUES WITH THE 2008-2011 MODELS. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO REPLY BACK.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2016
I WAS DRIVING HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO CHOKE DOWN. I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH BECAUSE I HAD JUST RECENTLY DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CRUISED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I HAD SOMEONE THERE TO FOLLOW ME HOME, I CRANKED MY CAR BACK UP AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY THE REST OF THE WAY(3 MILES MAX) TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR DID TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO CRANK BUT SEEMED TO DO FINE ON THE TRIP HOME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON IT SOMETIME TODAY.
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.
Engine, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH ENGINE TENSIONER PULLEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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.
Air bags, Jul 15, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A TRUCK. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE SIDES WERE BENT OUTWARD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED CHEST INJURIES, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RODENTS DESTROYED THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR AND THE FUEL CAP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 8, 2016, crash
MY WIFE AND ONE MONTH OLD CHILD WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY. SHE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE XLT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER JUST FINISHED DETERMINING THE DAMAGE ONLY TO CONCLUDE THAT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE HE TOOK IT APART TO DETERMINE HOW EXPENSIVE THE FRAME REPAIR WOULD BECOME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE "INVESTIGATING" WHICH I'M SURE WILL LEAD TO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW CAN A CAR RECEIVE A CATASTROPHIC IMPACT ON THE FRONT END LIKE THAT AND THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY?
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.
Electrical system, Jul 4, 2016
THE DOORS LOCK AND WON'T UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS AT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH OF THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER DOORS. SOMETIMES THEY BEGIN UNLOCKING A WEEK OR SO LATER OTHER TIMES THEY DON'T UNLOCK EVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SOME DOORS THEN UNLOCK, BUT NOT ALL.
Air bags, Jul 1, 2016, crash
DRIVER OF VEHICLE HAD A SEIZURE WHILE DRIVING. HE HIT THE BACK OF A STOPPED VEHICLE GOING APPROX. 45-50 MPH, WHICH THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE DRIVER KEPT DRIVING BECAUSE HE WAS STILL NOT ALERT. THE AIRBAGS ON HIS 2012 FORD ESCAPE NEVER DEPLOYED. ON IMPACT, EVEN WITH HIS SAFETY BELT ON, HIS CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING HIM TO HAVE A BROKEN STERNUM AND SEVERAL FRACTURED RIBS.
Power train, Engine, Jun 22, 2016
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT STARTED MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND VIBRATING A LOT. CHECKED LUG NUTS AND FOUND ALL TIGHT. GOT UNDER VEHICLE AND FOUND THE RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT HAD COME APART. HAVE NEVER HAD ONE FAIL SUDDENLY LIKE THIS. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE FOUND ONE OF THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD BACKED ALL THE WAY OUT, A SECOND ONE HAD BACKED OUT A LITTLE AND BROKE, THE THIRD REMAINED TIGHT BUT HAD SHEARED OFF. THIS ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO DROP DROP AND DESTROYED THE DRIVE SHAFT. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2012. BOLTS HAVE NEVER BEEN LOOSENED DURING THIS TIME. DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THEY WOULD COME LOOSE. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 85000.
Power train, Jun 18, 2016, crash
I PURCHASED MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE IN 2012. ABOUT 2 YRS. LATER AS I EXITED OFF A RAMP OF OUR LOCAL BY-PASS, THE CAR UNEXPECTANTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS QUITE FRIGHTENED; AND, AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES, I GOT THE CAR STOPPED. I CALLED OUR FORD DEALER; HAD THE CAR TOWED; THE SERVICE MECHANICS PUT IT ON A COMPUTER WHICH "DID NOT" PICK UP ANY RECENT MALFUNCTION. THEY SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MOST RECENT CALAMITY OCCURRED ON MAY 29, 2016 IN THE PARKING LOT OF OUR CHURCH. I WAS DRIVING; MY HUSBAND WAS THE PASSENGER. AS I PULLED MY CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, I REALIZED I NEEDED TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. UPON MY OBSERVATION OF ANOTHER CAR COMING IN TO PARK BEHIND ME, I WAITED UNTIL THE CAR WAS PARKED, PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE, AND "ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE". THE CAR FULLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE PARKED CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, DAMAGE TO THE R REAR OF MY ESCAPE, AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE R SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE HAD DEVASTATING RESULTS: (1) IF THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT SECONDS BEFORE, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! (2) IF THE OTHER CAR HAD NOT BEEN PARKED, MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED OVER A SMALL EMBANKMENT (POSSIBLY TURNING OVER) AND TAKING WITH IT NUMEROUS OTHER PARKED CARS AND MEMBERS WALKING INTO THE SERVICE. UPON EXAMINING MY VEHICLE AND HEARING THE REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTOR/APPRAISER WAS WISE ENOUGH TO TAKE THE CAR "OFF THE ROADS"! HE DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THIS ACCIDENT HAS BEEN VERY TRAUMATIC FOR ME~~CAUSING ME UNDUE RESTRAINT IN WANTING TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN A SAFE DRIVER FOR 56 YEARS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. I TRUST THAT FORD MOTOR WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHATEVER DEFECT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT - POSSIBLY THE ETB (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY). WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2016
CHRONIC (MANY TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS) HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED, AS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE FROM A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. ONLY A SECOND OR SO, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE ACCELERATION UNCERTAIN AND UNPREDICTABLE CAUSING SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS
Visibility, Structure, Jun 3, 2016
I WAS PARKED IN SAM'S PARKING LOT AND I OPENED MY REAR WINDOW TO GET MY BAGS OUT OF THE BACK OF MY SUV. AFTER PUTTING MY GROCERIES IN MY BACK SEAT I WENT TO CLOSE MY REAR WINDOW BUT THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND I CAUGHT THE WINDOW. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE WINDOW WAS IN MY HAND AND I BEGAN TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. A GENTLEMAN SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HE HELPED ME PUSH THE WINDOW BACK UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WE HAD TO PUT DUCT TAPE ON IT SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. TO MY SURPRISE THE HINGES THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO HOLD MY WINDOW IN WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD OF SERIOUSLY GOTTEN HURT. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THESE DEFECTIVE HINGES FOR YEARS BUT CONTINUES TO PUT THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. TO THIS DATE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE HINGES AND I AM CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS THIS COULD CAUSE DRIVERS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A FACTORY DEFECT. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A REAR WINDOW FALLING OUT!! I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PAY FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON MY VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE FOR MY HINGES TO BE FIXED. (I ATTACHED THE BILL QUOTE, IT IS QUITE HIGH) I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA RECOGNIZES THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE OF SAFETY NOT JUST FOR THE OWNERS WITH THE DEFECTIVE HINGES BUT THOSE WHO COULD BE IN THE PATH OF THE WINDOW FALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING BEHIND ONE OF FORD'S SUV'S. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2016
CAR LEAPS FORWARD WHEN GAS IS APPLIED FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR CONVERSELY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BUT NO ERROR CODE APPEARED AT TIME OF SERVICE. THEREFOR DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIX THE CAR AND I SHOULD KEEP HAVING SYSTEM IN CAR CHECKED FOR THE CODE TO APPEAR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Engine, Apr 27, 2016
ESCAPE HAS SEVERAL ISSUES, FORD DEALER WOULD REVIEW AND REPORT NO ISSUES FOUND. I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE NEW IN JULY 2012. 1.FRONT SEAT BELTS - WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (JAN-FEB 2013 - MILEAGE 5,000ISH) THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT 90% OF THE TIME, CAUSING THEM TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND/OR KEEP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. 2.TRANSMISSION ISSUES (NOV 2015 - MILEAGE 50,000ISH ) IT SHIFTS BADLY, SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF ITS IN-BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOUR BREAKING OR ACCELERATING. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE PEDDLE AND REAPPLY, IT'LL REENGAGE BUT AT TIMES WILL LURCH AGAIN. 3. ELECTRICAL ISSUES - JAN 2016 -(MILEAGE 65,000ISH) THE DOME LIGHT WON'T GO OUT, HAD TO PULL THE FUSE LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE UNOBSTRUCTED. 4.(4/18/16 - MILEAGE 73,000ISH) REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BASED ON WHAT FIND ON LINE AND HERE. IN THE PAST I DID NOTICE WATER 'DRIPS' ON MY BACK WINDOW, I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE 'LEAK' WAS, AGAIN DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEM FOUND, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS POOLED WATER THAT FOUND ITS WAY IN WHEN I HAD OPENED UP THE REAR WINDOW/DOOR. BUT BASED ON WHAT I SEE ON LINE AND HERE THE REAR DOOR NOT OPENING IS DUE TO THE 'WATER DRIP/LEAK' ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE REAR WINDOW GASKET ISN'T CORRECT THICKNESS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. BACK DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IS A SAFETY CONCERN, ALL DOORS SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. 5. SAME DATE AS 4,DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING WHEN YOU PUT SUV INTO GEAR. 6. APRIL 26, 2016 ' PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY ' NO INCLINE WHAT SO EVER ' WARNING LIGHT FOR STEEP GRADE LIGHT CAME ON. 6. TRUCK WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO A DIFFERENT FORD DEALER SHIP, FOR ALL THE ABOVE ISSUES, I DON'T CARE TO RETURN TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT, SINCE THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY DISMISSIVE DESPITE ME PROVIDING REPORTS FROM THIS WEBSITE TO THEM ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES I CAME IN WITH.