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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 17, 2016
ENGINE...SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN STATIONARY. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD NOT FIND THIS AFTER I DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND FOR AWHILE; DUE TO BEING IN THE GARAGE AND MOISTURE. SEED CONTROL...SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60- 65 MPH. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, SENT A MECHANIC OUT TO RIDE WITH ME IN THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAD HAPPENED I WAS ADVISED TO COME BACK AGAIN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I SAID I FELT UNSAFE AND FELT AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ME DRIVE ANOTHER "SAME" VEHICLE AND IT WAS JUST AS LOUD AT IDLE AND SEEMED NO BETTER. I LEFT IN MY VEHICLE UNSURE OF IT'S SAFETY AND PRAYED A LOT. I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH ANYWAY BUT LIMIT TRIPS NOW. I WANT TO BE SAFE. I WANT A SAFE VEHICLE.
Structure, Apr 16, 2016
THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW EXPLODED. WE WEREN'T THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. 60 DEGREES AND SUNNY OUTSIDE. WE WERE ATTENDING A PARTY FOR 2 HRS AND CAME OUT TO SHATTERED GLASS EVERY WHERE. CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN A LOT.
Power train, Apr 13, 2016
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM LEFT HALF SHAFT SEAL
Power train, Engine, Apr 12, 2016
WHILE CRUISING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 25 TO 55 MPH, CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, WITH RPMS DECREASING TO 1200-1500. DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT FOR 3-5 SECONDS, WHEN THE CAR WILL ACT NORMALLY. A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS NOTED AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE FROM A STOP OR WHEN APPLYING FULL POWER TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE CAR CANNOT BE RELIED UPON TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ISOLATED TO ANY SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL OR OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE DURING THE FIRST 5,000 MILES, BUT CONTINUES LESS FREQUENTLY (VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES NOW). DEALER TECHNICIANS ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAULTS.
Air bags, Mar 22, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT, AN ONCOMING VAN FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THEIR CHESTS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Mar 7, 2016
MY WIFE BEGAN DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED WITH AWD AND 6 CYLINDER MOTOR. WITHIN DRIVING LESS THAN HALF A MILE ALL POWER STEERING CEASED TO WORK ALMOST CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Steering, Mar 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Structure, Feb 26, 2016
RUST ISSUE IN ALL WHEEL WELLS TYPICAL IT SEEMS WITH ALL FORD ESCAPES IN 2012. I ASSUME THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT TREAT OR USED BAD RUST TREATMENT ON THESE CARS.
Steering, Feb 16, 2016
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE STATIONARY IN A DRIVE-THROUGH LINE. DIAGNOSIS FOUND DTC B2278 IN COMPUTER MEMORY. ALL INVESTIGATION LED TO A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR AS THE FAULTY COMPONENT. THIS SAME COMPONENT WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL FOR PRIOR YEARS ON THIS MODEL UP TO MODEL YEAR 2011. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL AT THIS TIME. REPAIR WAS PAID FOR WITH A COMBINATION OF AFTERMARKET WARRANTY AND OWNER PAYMENT. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. DOCUMENTATION IS INCLUDED WITH THIS COMPLAINT. TO DATE NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS HAVE SURFACED SINCE REPAIR.
Seat belts, Jan 26, 2016
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT. THE BUCKLES GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR OR THE STRAP KEEPS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE STRAPS START TO FRAY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES AND THE BELTS NEED TO BE RETRACTED MANUALLY.
Visibility, Jan 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE HATCH GLASS FRACTURED WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE HATCH. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HATCH GLASS WAS NOT RECALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Jan 2, 2016
DEC 31, 2015 VEHICLE STEERING WAS FINE, LAST DRIVEN 9PM. JAN 1, 2016 9:30AM POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK, STEERING WHEEL NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. FORTUNATELY VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVEWAY NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. TWO HOURS LATER POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONING. NO LIGHTS ON DASH TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. DROVE SHORT DISTANCE TODAY JAN 2ND WITH NO ISSUE. BEING TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP JAN 4TH. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS ONLY 31,695, OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE END OF OCTOBER 2015.
Steering, Dec 21, 2015
THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED, FORCING THE WHEEL TO TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND TRYING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT. IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE TO RE-CENTER THE WHEEL AND DRIVE STRAIGHT. AFTER RELEASING THE WHEEL, EVEN WHEN PARKED, THE WHEEL WOULD RAPIDLY ROTATE BACK TO THE LEFT MOST POSITION. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING TO AN EXPECTING VICTIM, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY TURNED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND/OR FLIPPED.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 6, 2015
REDUCED SPEED WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW TO IDLE CONDITION IN CITY DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 30 MPH
Steering, Dec 5, 2015
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING COULD NOT STEER AT ALL! COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, FINALLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND MY STEERING RETURNED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2008-2011 YEAR MODELS AND THEY WERE RECALLED. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN DONE ON THE 2012 MODEL?
Engine, Dec 2, 2015
SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AT IDLE WITH CAR IN DRIVE. ENGINE RPMS APPEAR TO BE TOO LOW WITH LOAD ON ENGINE. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, SO IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 28, 2015
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2012 FROM ROBINSON FORD IN CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA. A FEW MONTHS (I CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE) AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND AS I WAS BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AGAIN IN 2013, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS I WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP. THIS TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (RECORD ON FILE WITH THE DEALER) TO REPORT THE MATTER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2015 AT ~9PM AS I WAS BRAKING ON A SURFACE STREET TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND 'JUMP'. THIS TIME I HAD TWO WITNESSES IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THE SITUATION WAS FRIGHTENING TO SAY THE LEAST. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (ROBINSON FORD IN CALEXICO, CA 92231) WHERE THE SAME MECHANIC WHO LAST CHECKED THE VEHICLE (RAMON BALTAZAR) SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT HE COULD IDENTIFY (RECORD ON FILE WITH THE DEALER). I AM KNOW VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED THAT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE COULD RESULT IN ME HARMING SOMEONE SHOULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. IN FACT, I NOW KEEP A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ANYTIME I AM APPROACHING A STOP. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE OR CONFIDENT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
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.
Steering, Nov 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Power train, Oct 31, 2015
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE SHIFTS BADLY. HAS A LAGGING UPSHIFT FROM STARTS AND A HARSH DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 ESCAPE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG JUST THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION IS.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2015
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED AND SLOWED TO A CRAWL. WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE THEN DECELERATE RAPIDLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF.
Structure, Oct 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF CONTACT SOLD HER CAR TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
Air bags, Oct 9, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CCONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR AN EVALUATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Structure, Oct 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/16/18*JB *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND VEERING TO THE LEFT, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,782. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *TR