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, Jun 28, 2019
REAR HATCH DOOR LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS AND ALSO WHEN WASHING CAR. THE HATCH LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR ON 2 OCCASIONS AND NOW IT HAS LOCKED UP AGAIN AND WILL NOT OPEN. THIS IS A DEFECT AND ALSO A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AND NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH US SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL LOCATIONS. IT HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN TUCSON,AZ AND NOW A THIRD TIME HERE IN CA ON 06/12/2019.
Power train, Jun 25, 2019
2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE REVERSE OPTION FAILING WHILE DRIVING. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2019
OCCASIONALLY WHEN FUELING THE PUMP WILL STOP PREMATURELY. THE DASH WILL SAY IT'S FULL BUT 5 MILES LATER YOUR AT 3/4 TANK. AND TOPPING OFF IS ILLEGAL SO THERE'S NOT A WAY TO GET PAST IT. CAR WAS OFF, PARKED, AND NEXT TO A GAS STATION PUMP.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 17, 2019
BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON NO ABS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2019
PULLING OUT FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CAR MADE A WHIRRING NOISE AND HESITATED TO MOVE THEN STARTED JUMPING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND THE CAR MADE THE NOISE, HESITATED AND STARTED JUMPING AGAIN. MADE TO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED CAR. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN HIGH GEAR.
Seat belts, Jun 13, 2019
FRONT SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK OR CATCH OR WORK CORRECTLY. IF IN ACCIDENT OR STOPPING SUDDENLY THE SEATBELTS DO NOT CATCH THE PASSENGERS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2019
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION DEALING WITH THE FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR SEEMS TO BE LOOSING MILES OR FUEL. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK WITH FUELING CODES.
Service brakes, May 31, 2019
2 MONTHS AGO WE HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY TO GO INTO A SHOP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE AND WE COULD BARELY MOVE THE CAR. THE BRAKES HAD LOCKED INTO THE PISTONS AND THE PISTONS WERE CRACKED AND EVERYTHING INVOLVING THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE CALIBERS. YESTERDAY 5/30/19 WE TOOK IT IN AND YET AGAIN THE BRAKES ARE LOCKED AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE CALIBERS. WE LOOKED IT UP AND THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM HTTPS://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/41616/FORD/ESCAPE/08-FORD-ESCAPE-FRONT-BRAKES-LOCKING-UP
Steering, May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMBALL FORD (281-378-3160, LOCATED AT 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2019
THE AREA OF MOST CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. EIGHT MONTHS AGO, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING JUST AFTER EXITING A FREEWAY. NOW IT IS MAKING THE SAME SOUND AGAIN AND MY MECHANIC FEELS THE WHEEL MAY LOCK COMPLETELY.I DRIVE MOUNTAIN PASSES, WHICH MAKES THIS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. CONTACT WITH LOCAL AND CORPORATE FORD SAYS IT IS MY PROBLEM TO GET IT OVER AN HOUR AWAY TO THE DEALER, AND REPAIR WILL BE AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I LEARNED ONLY AFTER CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE, THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE FUEL MODULE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FIRE. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS UNTIL I REPORTED THE STEERING ISSUE TO THE COMPANY. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL TAKE FOUR WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM LOSING INCOME EVERY DAY AS I DRIVE FOR A LIVING. NO CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ME, MY FAMILY, OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2019
I LOSE FUEL ACCORDING TO MY GAGE AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT WILL GO FROM 212 MILES TO 199 AND I'VE DRIVEN MAYBE A QUARTER BLOCK.
Seat belts, Apr 30, 2019
SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, WHEN PUTTING ON OR TAKING OFF.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2019
GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY GAUGES DROPPED, EXCEPT FOR FUEL. MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF I'D LOST ENGINE POWER. I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER, THANKFULLY. SINCE THEN, W/O ANY WARNINGS THE GAUGES WILL DROP, AND ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS, AND HAD THEM TO PUT IT ON THEIR MACHINE TO SEE IF IT WOULD CODE. IT CODED FOR P-1602. BATTERY TESTED FINE. LOOKED UP ON YOU TUBE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND FOUND THIS VIDEO. IN THE VIDEO IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY 2012 ESCAPE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=M0ZZ0DFESSK LOOKING IN THE COMMENTS SECTION THE OWNER OF A 2010 ESCAPE, SAID THAT FORD REPLACED 3 INSTRUMENT PANELS, AND THE FACTORY FORD TECHNICIAN FINALLY FOUND THAT IT WAS COLD SOLDER JOINTS. IF YOU HIT THE DASH WITH YOU FIST, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES COME BACK UP, SO SEEMS TO BE IN THE WIRING, NOT BATTERY RELATED. MILEAGE, AND INFORMATION CENTER, STILL HASN'T CAME BACK UP. THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING, AND WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM FORD IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.
Power train, Apr 19, 2019
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE XLT AWD HAS FAILED AT 142,742 MILES. DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SHOP HAVE ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. FORD KNOWS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAILING PREMATURELY AND FORD SHOULD REPAIR, REPLACE THEM AND REIMBURSE IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP. ONE CAN GO ONLINE AND PERFORM A GOOGLE, BING OR YAHOO SEARCH AND SEE A PLEATHERA OF ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 18, 2019
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH DURING MORNING TRAFFIC DURING RAIN COVERED ROAD. MY TRACTION STABILITY AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING TO A DOCTOR APPT AND SAW THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. I APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES AND GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP. MY CAR HAS 115,000 MILES WHEN FAIL HAPPENED
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AT A SLOW RATE WHEN MY BRAKING FEEL LIKE THERE WAS BORN ABS AND MY CAR WAS GETTING TO CLOSE AND I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND COULDN'T TURN IT. AN HOUR LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN WELL AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PASSING A VEHICLE. I HAD NO BRAKES AT THAT POINT. THIS HAPPENED APRIL 20, 2019. CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS. MY ESCAPE IS BECOMING A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN BRAKING I FEEL MY SYSTEM KEEPS SLIPPING IN THE FRONT END AND A SAGGING IN THE REAR. WHEN I DRIVE IT, I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP. TURNING FEELINGS RIGID AND STIFF AT TIMES. A CAR HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD TO DO A HARD STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP AND STEERING WOULDN'T ALLOW TO TURN. I HAD TO TURN A HARSH RIGHT TO AVOID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE 1ST DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 26 MAY 2016 FROM GLENBROOK HYUNDAI IN FORT WAYNE, IN.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2019, crash
IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, AFTER EXECUTING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED IN ORDER TO SLOW THEN STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP AS IT SURGED FORWARD. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING TO SLOW IT DOWN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JARRED BY STRIKING THE CURB THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDOL. SO MUCH POWER WAS APPLIED IN THE SURGE THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, TRAVELED OVER A A GRASS PLOT AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE. OUR FORD ESCAPE SUFFERED FRONT END DAMAGE (TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE) AND THE OTHER VEHICLE (A FORD ECO -BOOST) SUFFERED FRONT AND DRIVERS SIDE DAMAGE. NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT ONE MPH (ALMOST TO A FULL STOP) WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. AS IT SURGED THE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY TO ABOUT SEVEN TO TEN MPH. THE VEHICLES WERE NOT TOWED AT THE TIME BUT WHEN DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE HOME A SEVERE DEFECT IN THE STEERING (PULL TO THE LEFT) WAS NOTICED MAKING IT VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED FROM OUR DRIVEWAY TO THE BODY SHOP.
Steering, Suspension, Seat belts, Mar 25, 2019
MY VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN I DRIVE FROM THE WHEEL BARREL
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAULT WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THE WRENCH ICON, CHECK ENGINE, AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. COURTESY FORD (6393 US-98 W, HATTIESBURG, MS 39402, (601) 264-5555) WAS AWARE THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR SPECIAL COVERAGE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13N03 (THROTTLE BODY EXTENDED COVERAGE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED 8,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED; HOWEVER, BOTH REPAIRS FAILED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER EXPECTED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE...*BF CONSUMER ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE CAMPAIGN #13N03 AND WAS TOLD CONSUMER WOULDN'T GET WHAT WAS NEEDED. THROTTLE REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Mar 2, 2019
PREHEATED THE CAR FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE LEAVNG FOR WORK IN -8 DEGREE WEATHER. TRIED TO PULL OUT ONTO HIGHWAY AND STEEERING WENT OUT. HAD TO REALLY MANHANDLE WHEEL TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO THE ROAD. THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS SNOWIN WHHEL WELL OR SOMETHING. I OULLED OVER TO LOOK, WHHEELS WERE CLEAR. TRIED DRVING FORWARD INTO A ROUND ABOUTAND ALMOST MISSED THE CURVE. VERY SCARY,STEERING BECAME EVEN WORSE SO BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT.CAR DOES NOT STEER IN MOTION OR STATIONARY WITH ENGINE RUNNING.
Steering, Feb 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO LAKE VIEW FORD (LOCATED AT 12381 CONNEAUT LAKE RD, CONNEAUT LAKE, PA 16316, (814) 382-5485) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,718. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING AND WOULD NOT STEER.*JB
Seat belts, Feb 20, 2019
SEAT BELT FAILS TO REMAIN LATCHED
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2019
TWO PROBLEMS HERE. FIRST ONE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY THAT I NOTICED A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE I CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS. OCCASIONALLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOTTEST DAYS, WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO GET INTO TRAFFIC, MY CAR DOESN'T SPEED UP. IT JUST SITS THERE, WHICH HAS PUT ME IN MANY DANGEROUS POSITIONS WHERE I END UP PULLING UP IN FRONT OF A FAST MOVING CAR, BUT SINCE MINE FAILS TO SPEED UP EVEN IF I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY, THOSE CARS END UP ALMOST HITTING ME FROM BEHIND. AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS IT FINALLY TAKES OFF, SPINNING THE TIRES AND AGAIN PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK OF BEING HIT. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN MY CAR IS ON A DOWNHILL STOP SIGN A FEW BLOCKS DOWN MY STREET WHERE I CAN ONLY GO LEFT OR RIGHT. I MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, BUT MY CAR JUST ROLLS INTO THE STREET WITH NO POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. I NOTIFIED FORD AFTER GOING ONLINE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WETTING WITH MY CAR, AND FINDING OUT THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN 2012 MODELS, INCLUDING MY CAR BASED ON THE VIN #. THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALER BUT SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOUR ANY OUT OF POCKET CHARGES. THE DEALER SAID THEY NEEDED AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN ORDER TO NOT INCUR ANY FEES. BUT NEITHER FORD OR CARMAX EVER NOTIFIED ME WITH ANY ACTUAL DOCUMENTATION, WHICH MADE ME WEARY TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT I HAVE NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW, IT'S VERY RANDOM AND HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I ATTRIBUTE IT TO DRIVING PAST A GAS STATION OR A SEMITRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY OR JUST NORMAL FOR CARS TO SMELL OF GASOLINE SOMETIMES. THE SMELL ONLY SEEMS TO LAST ABOUT 30 SECONDS.
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING SCARY ACTION TO STEER THE CAR.AFTER STOPPING FOR 15 MINUTES OR LONGER THE CAR CAN C=BE CRANKED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED.I HAVE WRITTEN THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO EXPLAIN THIS TROUBLE AND THEY HAVE DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER THE SAME RECALL THE 2008-2011 ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE ENJOYED TO GET THIS TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE TO BE CORRECTED.MANY, MANY OTHER 2012 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND THE INTERNET SITES ARE FULL OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS.THIS IS VERY TROUBLING TO ME...
Structure, Jan 21, 2019
THE GLASS LIFT GATE LEAKS AROUND THE SEAL. BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. AFTER A RAIN, THE WATER PUDDLES IN THE BACK.