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.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 12, 2015
CAR SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOU EXCELERATE. RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN AND IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPROGRAMED ONCE SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THE CAR. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO DROP TO A "SURGING" IDLE AND MANUAL THROTTLE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE DASH, AT THIS POINT, INDICATED THE CHECK ENGINE "WRENCH" LIGHT AND THE RPM INDICATOR SEEMED TO BOUNCE BETWEEN 300 TO 1000 RESPECTIVELY. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE THEN, RESPONDED NORMALLY WITH NO TROUBLE CODES INDICATED ON DASH. CODE READER: P2111. THIS VEHICLE IS OFFICIALLY USED FOR FIRE RESPONSE THROUGH MUNICIPAL 911 SERVICES.
Steering, Aug 6, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AT A RATE OF 23 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE VERY HARD TO MANUEVER. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE AND LOOKED TO SEE IF ANY BELTS HAD COME OF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO APPEARANT EVIDENCE OF A LOOSE OR BROKEN BELT. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS WORKING FINE. I LOOKED INTO SEVERAL COMPLAINT BLOGS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT FORD SHOUDL BE LOOKING INTO FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. I RESEARCHED SEVERAL BLOG AND CAR COMPLAINT SITES AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2012 ESCAPE AS WELL. I AM ONE MONTH OUT OF MY 3YR/36000 WARRANTY. THE THREE YEAR PART CAME FIRST. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS FAIR FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUED RECALLED ON THE ESCAPE.
Structure, Seats, Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE SEATS, FLOOR BOARDS, RUGS, AND WINDOWS WERE WET AND FOGGY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE WINDOWS AND THE SEALS ON THE DOORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. .. UPDATED 09/30/15*BF
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.
Structure, Jul 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2015
TAILGATE GLASS OPENED ON ITS OWN. HINGE ON TAILGATE GLASS BROKE DUE TO CORROSION UPON CLOSING TAILGATE GLASS.
Structure, Jul 7, 2015
I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ESCAPE 1.5 YRS. I JUST NOTICED THIS SPRING THAT THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE WHEEL WELL, NOW AS OF 7/7/2015 IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER. AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH WHEN YOU OPEN IT YOU CAN ALREADY SEE BUBBLING. MY UNDERSTANDING BY THE PAPER WORK I RECEIVED WITH IT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF UNDER BODY PROTECTION PUT ON IT.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 25, 2015
FROM A STOPPED POSITION THEN EXCELLING OR WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR WILL STALL. AND WRENCH WILL APPEAR.
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 24, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL DID NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM WATER. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE RECEIVER DRYER, BLOWER RESISTER, AND GASKET CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Suspension, Jun 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAVING EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2015
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT MY CAR STALLED OUT AND DIED COMPLETELY.
Engine, May 29, 2015
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP AND STALLED, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT, I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND THE RPM WAS AT 0 AND THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER THE CAR HAD NO POWER I SOMEHOW WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TO THE HOOD OF THE ROAD. AT THAT TIME I TURNED THE KEY AND REMOVED IT FROM THE IGNITION WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND I PULLED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. I ALSO HAVE A CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO ME BY THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT WAS TO BE REFERENCED WHEN I WAS INFORMED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO BE LOOKED AT.
Air bags, May 28, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DRAIN COVER AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 08/25/15*JB
Air bags, May 22, 2015, crash, fire
4 CAR PILE UP, MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE, AIR BAGS CAME OUT DRIVER WAS BURNED FROM THE AIR BAG AND HOLES BURNED IN AIR BAG. ALSO PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF DUE TO CHILD AND IT WENT OFF ANYWAY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 15, 2015
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE FIRST NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON VALENTINE'S DAY BECAUSE OF MY CAR. I WAS ON A RAMP ABOUT TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. THE HIGHWAY SPEED IS 75MPH AND IT WAS BUSY. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY BUT MY CAR JUST STOOD THERE FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS BEFORE IT FINALLY REGISTERED (THAT I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL) AND SPED UP REALLY FAST. THIS CAUSED ME TO CUT OFF THE DRIVER ON THE INSIDE LANE BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T SPEED UP AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I DRIVE TO WORK EVERYDAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 4 TIMES A WEEK. THE OTHER PROBLEM, WHICH I TRIED TO DISMISS AS MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED LAST YEAR WITH ONLY 3900 MILES ON IT, IS WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN ABOUT 30-35 MPH, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, SORT OF LIKE WHEN SPEEDING UP AND SUDDENLY LET GO OF THE GAS, AS IF THERE'S NO POWER IN THE ENGINE.
Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2015
AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING (APPROX. 30 MPH), THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WENT INTO A ROUGH IDLE STATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING, IT DIDN'T START CORRECTLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DIDN'T DISENGAGE THE KEY / STARTER FOR A FEW SECONDS (2-5). THE MECHANICS LIGHT LITE UP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE IT FIRST HAPPENED. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT APPEARS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS BEFORE THERE IS A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO THEIR FAULTY PART. *TR
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 29, 2015, crash
4/29/15 FORD VIOLATED THEIR NEW CAR WARRANTY COVERAGE, BY REFUSING TO REPAIR, THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS FILED IN COMPLAINT 10713581 . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HELD HOSTAGE AT INVER GROVE FORD, AGREED TO REPAIR ALL ITEMS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLAINT #10713581 . AS A DISABLED VETERAN, WITH A SICK SERVICE DOG, I HAVE NO ACCESS OR ABILITY TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 12, 2015
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS TIME I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN IN A LOADING DOCK ON A BUSY STREET, AND WAS GOING FORWARD, TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. AGAIN THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS AND NO LIGHTS. THIS TIME THERE WERE CARS COMING TOWARD ME HONKING AT ME, AND ONE IN THE LOADING DOCK TRYING TO BACK UP HONKING AT ME. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND BACKED UP TO CONTINUE WHERE I WAS GOING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TESTED THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAID THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IF THIS CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION? SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 12, 2015
I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK INTO A MY PARKING SPACE, SO I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT (GOING FORWARD) AND CAME TO ALMOST A STOP SO I COULD PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. BECAUSE IT HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AND I HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT. IT STARTED JUST FINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2015
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING BACK TO SCHOOL (7 HOURS) WHEN SHE WOULD GO TO ACCELERATE, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. SHE WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN GET TO THE SHOULDER. SHE WOULD TURN HER CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND IT WOULD LET HER ACCELERATE AGAIN. SHE CALLED ME WHEN IT DID THIS A SECOND TIME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. I CALLED AAA AND HAD HER TOWED FOR TWO HOURS BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT HER DRIVING FOR FEAR SHE WOULD LOSE CONTROL AND HURT HERSELF AND OTHERS. SHE TOOK IT IN TO FORD AND THEY CONFIRMED AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. SHE WAS NOT LETTING ANY WORK BE DONE UNTIL SHE KNEW WHAT IT WAS. SHE WAS THEN TOLD THAT IT WAS A RECALL AND FREE WHICH IS WHY SHE ALLOWED THE WORK TO BE DONE. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT IT IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT SHE HAS TO PAY FOR IT. HOW IS IT THAT SHE HAS TO PAY FOR IT? IT IS EITHER COVERED BY RECALL OR COVERED BY WARRANTY SO WHY DOES SHE PAY FOR IT? THIS IS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IS CAUSING SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL HARM. *TR
Wheels, Mar 26, 2015
6 STAINLESS STEEL LUG NUT COVERS WERE REMOVED BY DEALER DURING INSTALL OF 4 NEW TIRES. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A FORD ISSUE DUE TO DESIGN AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? THANKS *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2015
I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING FROM FORD BUT CAN NOT FIND IT IN YOUR DATABASE FOR MY VEHICLE. IS THERE A RECALL OR NOT FOR MY VEHICLE? VIN: [XXX] FSA TITLE: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY EXTENDED COVERAGE FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 13N03 A RECALL IS AN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY CONCERN RELATED TO A VEHICLE DEFECT OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENT. IT MAY REQUIRE THAT YOU RETURN YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED, IT MAY BE BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT AT A DIFFERENT TIME OR USING A DIFFERENT PART THAN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. BE ADVISED THAT THIS SYSTEM TRACKS SAFETY AND EMISSIONS RECALLS FOR WHICH VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO REPAIR IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND UPDATE. THERE MAY BE TEMPORARY DELAYS IN UPDATE OF INFORMATION ON THIS SITE DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF YOUR VEHICLE OR ANY RECALL PROGRAM OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY OR THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A PROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,781.