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.
Structure, Oct 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a hole in the sub frame cradle due to rust. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2023
My grandmothers vehicle has had an intermittent loss of power steering while driving at slow speeds and is a serious safety concern, the safety recall I had found "14S05" is exactly what's goin on with her vehicle and it matches up exactly to the recall down to the assembly plant other than her vehicle was assembled a year after the recall, but yet these symptoms of this recall is exactly what she is having. She has brought it to multiple ford dealerships and they turn her away unless she pays them over $200? I would fix it as a consumer, but no lights come on or even point me in a proper direction of repairs. There's no warning lights or anything and the only way it can be repaired is by the dealer so how can my grandmother be liable for this if the car tells me nothing is wrong? I have found several accident reports concerning this exact situation with her vehicle, I genuinely fear for her safety. It's been a problem for over 6 months and she just got back to driving again after a surgery and her vehicle has this issue. It was addressed a while back and they claimed there was nothing wrong at a local dealership. I can't fix this vehicle of my grandmothers unless the computer is telling me there is something wrong..... I have had the issue happen myself several occasions just starting the vehicle in place with absolutely no power steering and no check engine light/codes. It's happening intermittently to my grandmother who only drives in the city under 40 mph. She claims it happens multiple times while driving and she has to pull over in the middle of the street to shut her vehicle off and then proceed to restart the vehicle and there's no issues, but then often comes back continuously throughout driving and yet there's no lights or anything. My grandma doesn't have hundreds to spend on diagnosis and the dealer isn't willing to address the safety concern without her spending money. She has kept all documents in case of accidents as she is in fear of one happening.
Steering, Sep 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact made a right turn, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Steering, Aug 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where it was discovered that the subframe connectors were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.
Power train, Aug 6, 2023
After starting the vehicle for the first time that day, the vehicle was driven 4 miles. When attempting to shift the center console shifter into the PARK position, the shifter was unable to fully move into the PARK position as it was blocked from transiting through the REVERSE position. The vehicle could only fully reach the NEUTRAL position from DRIVE position. After a few more attempts to move the shifter later the shifter was able to fully reach the PARK position. Subsequent attempts were inconsistent. In one case, the shifter showed PARK but when driver released the foot brake, the vehicle starting rolling backward in reverse (it was determined to be engaged in REVERSE). The issue was resolved by installing a new SHIFTER CABLE fitting at the transmission. The small two-piece plastic fitting that attaches (snaps on and then adjusts/locks) the cable assembly (part number AL8Z-7E395-A) to the transmission Manual Control Lever Ball Stud was loose and likely worn. Before installing the new snap on plastic fitting , attempts were made to adjust the original cable plastic fitting without success. Note that subsequent model years 2013 - 2019 had a similar failure result (Safety Recall 22S43).
Structure, Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rusted and fractured mounts; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Service brakes, Jun 25, 2023
Brake system light warning on every time I drive. Was told there was a recall for 2014 Escape but not 2012. Was told the anti-lock brake system computer has a malfunction.
Steering, Jun 19, 2023
Shortly after start-up, the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel locked up. I attempted to turn the car off and back on (something I saw suggested online by other 2012 Ford Escape owners), but the power steering did not return. There were no warning lamps indicating a malfunction. When I researched the issue, I found a recall on previous models of the Ford Escape for the same issue. When I searched my car's VIN, it was not included in the recall.
Steering, Air bags, Jun 14, 2023
The steering wheel came off in my hands. I pushed it back on and went to Ford to get it fixed, they couldn't help me because they had no techs employed that work on my year vehicle, they never told me it was a safety issue and sent me on my way to look for outside mechanic not a FORD specialist. I was driving and the airbag exploded while I was backing up. It caused me injury and could have caused an accident because there was no warning, it suddenly exploded with a loud noise, if this happened when I was on the highway it would have caused severe accident, luckily I was backing the car up when it happened. I didn't hit anything to cause the airbag to deploy. When the steering wheel came off in my hands it was when I was parked, it could have happened when I was driving causing severe injury to myself and those around me. I keep my vehicle maintained by FORD and the steering wheel was never touched or repaired. But when I bought the vehicle brand new from FORD it was missing the Sirius satellite radio it was advertised as coming with, when I brought it back to Ford the seller told me they take it out for import reasons and I could buy it from them for $150 plus installation. I don't know if they touched the steering wheel when they removed the Sirius radio parts. I have the Sirius button on my vehicle and it was advertised with 6 months free Sirius, but the dealership said it's common practice in Puerto Rico for them to remove it because of import fees. I'm the only owner of this vehicle and it was sold to me as brand new. The steering wheel gave me no warning it was about to come off in my hands, it was not loose, it had no play in it, I was parked in my driveway and had just gotten into the car when it came off in my hands. I have the car for inspection and need to alert people of this danger and get the vehicle steering wheel recalled to prevent severe injury to another person.
Steering, Jun 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Engine, Jun 12, 2023
Oil engine leak .. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning ..
Steering, May 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Steering, Air bags, May 5, 2023
The steering acted like it lost power, it was extremely hard to turn. It showed slide marks on dashboard. It also has airbag light on dashboard. We had a mechanic to run a test, the only thing it showed was that the airbag had no signal to the computer
Steering, Apr 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 8, 2023
Warning on the dash panel intermittently says Lift gate/back glass is ajar even though it is closed. This causes the interior lights to turn on and off. I believe this is due to a manufacturer defect in the gasket that allows water/condensation to seep into the lift gate and cause corrosion of the electrical wires
Steering, Apr 8, 2023
Power steering was not working upon starting vehicle. Extremely hard to steer. If this had occurred at road speeds, particularly on curves it could have resulted in a loss of control and potentially life. Extremely frightening, especially as a quick search of the internet found it has occurred for many people and there was a recall for similar issue on prior years of Ford Escape. I am petrified to drive my car.
Engine, Mar 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove as designed. The contact stated that the “Stop Safely Now” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Steering, Mar 6, 2023
Power steering randomly goes out while driving. They need to extend their recall from 2011 as they obviously have not fixed the issue.
Structure, Feb 27, 2023
Excess Rust on both rear fenders in matching pattern. I've seen this exact issue on other Ford Escapes and there are many reports about it.
Steering, Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure to the steering column. The contact had the ignition and steering column replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside and outside of the vehicle. Upon inspection, leaking fuel was discovered coming from the fuel tank on the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 7, 2023
Both rear doors will not open from inside or outside. No way to take panels off to repair. Can’t exit in case of emergency.
Steering, Jan 16, 2023
Driving at lower speed power steering stopped working, turned off car and restart problem was gone. Drove home and happend again, now steering is sluggish and stickes at times.
Steering, Dec 26, 2022
I was driving in a 45-mph zone and was preparing to make a right turn and as I slowed down and made the turn, the wheel locked up with no warning light or other indication there was a power steering issue, and I nearly struck a car approaching the stop sign on the street that I was turning onto. I was able to drive my car to my destination that was right up the street. I turned off my car and turned it back on and the power steering was working again.
Steering, Dec 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. During the failure the traction control warning was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no repair performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 95,000.