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.
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
ON OCTOBER 26, 2018, I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY TURN, MY WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND LOCKED INTO ONE POSITION. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE BEFORE I COULD SAFELY TURN IT INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN IT AND STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. I SAT IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHILE MAKING SOME PHONE CALLS TO FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT MY SITUATION. AT ONE POINT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS WORKING. VERY SCARY SITUATION. I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION B2278 CODE 100.427. SINCE MY MECHANIC CLEARED THE CODE, 3 SEPARATE FORD DEALERS REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT WITHOUT AN ACTIVE CODE. SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND HOLDING MY BREATH EACH TIME I MAKE A TURN AND KEEP LOOKING FOR THE STRAIGHTEST PATH WHEREVER I GO. BUT LUCKY FOR ME, ON DECEMBER 24, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND COULDN'T START CAR FROM A PARKED POSITION. HOPING THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO THE FIRST. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR, NOTHING. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED. MY WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS PARKED ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE. HOPING THE TWO INCIDENTS ARE RELATED SO I CAN GET THIS NERVE WRACKING SITUATION REPAIRED. ALSO FILED FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH FORD CORPORATION.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 19, 2018
WHEN MY HEATER MOTOR KICKS ON WHILE I AM DRIVING IT CAUSES MY CAR TO WANT TO STALL OR DIE. MY CAR SHUTTERS SO I MUST TURN OFF MY HEAT SO MY FAR WILL GO AS IT SHOULD. OTHER TIMES MY CAR HAS HAD A HESITATION WHILE I AM DRIVING. I PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IT SHUTTERS . IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT IT LIKE THAT. THE HAPPY CAR STORE GLENBROOK HYUNDAI IN FORT WAYNE INDIANA SOLD IT TO ME LIKE THIS.
Steering, Dec 8, 2018
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. PRIOR MODEL YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
MY POWER STEERING IS RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP AND HAVING IT INSPECTED THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER FORGOT HOW TO DRIVE IN A WAY. SO THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THAT NIGHT MY ESCAPE DID THE SAME THING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF WORK IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS FINE. THEN TODAY IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF THEN RESTART IT AND AFTER THAT IT WAS FINE AGAIN. I RESEARCHED ANY RECALLS AND THERE WAS SOME FOR 2011 MODELS BUT I'M WONDERING IF IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO THE 2012 AS WELL?
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 4, 2018
THE THROTTLE BODY STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I LOST ALL ACCELERATION IN A BUSY TRAFFIC SITUATION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Dec 3, 2018
CAR STALL AT ANY POINT WHILE DRIVING. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR HAS STALLED ABOUT 10 TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND GOES. I HAD THE CHANCE TO TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE TO CONNECT THE SCANNER WHILE LIGHT WAS ON, AND DIAGNOSTIC CAME WITH TROUBLE CODE P2111. AS I SAID IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AT AN UNEXPECTED POINT. IT'S A LITTLE OF PANIC INVOLVED EVERY TIME BECAUSE CARS COMING FROM BEHIND AND I HAVE TO ACT TO QUICKLY TO PUT ON HAZARDS AND MANEUVER THE CAR WHICH START JERKING TOO . NO WAY TO RECORD ANY THING DUE THAT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD DEALER ON 12/05/2018
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 3, 2018
MY CAR HAS STALLED ABOUT 10 TIMES WHILE DRIVING SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON HIGHWAY AND STREETS. SUDDENLY MOTOR DIES AND ITS SO DRAMATICALLY DANGEROUS DUE THAT I HAVE ONLY A FEW METERS TO MANEUVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND GOES. I TOOK TO AUTOZONE AND THEY CONNECTED THE SCANNER AND CAME OUT TROUBLE CODE P2111. WHICH MEAN THROTTLE BODY GOT STUCK OR SO. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FORD DEALER ON 12/05/2018 TO SEE IF THEY FIX. DEFINITELY IS A BIG ISSUE TO DANGEROUS FOR EVERYBODY. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING LESS THAN 50MPH. I HAVE JUST RECORDED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY PHONE. CAR CAN STALL AT ANY POINT AT ANY TIME AND IT'S HARD TO DOCUMENT IT
Steering, Nov 28, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE ON OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE AT APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ON A SERIES OF WINDY BACK ROADS, SHORTLY AFTER SETTING OUT, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT DIFFICULT AND VERY UNSAFE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT YET ON THE HIGHWAY. RECALLS EXIST FOR PREVIOUS YEARS THAT DOCUMENT THE SAME ISSUE BUT ONE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL, LEAVING MANY UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROAD. PARTS ALONE FOR THE REPAIR WERE QUOTED AT $900.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2018
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70MPH) WHEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES FAILED AND HOOD WAS BLOWN OPEN INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS AFTER 5+ HOURS OF HIGHWAY TRAVEL WITHOUT ANY RECENT OPERATION OF THE INTERIOR HOOD LATCH RELEASE. EMERGENCY STOP WAS MADE TO SECURE HOOD. HOOD IS DAMAGED AND UNABLE TO CLOSE. BODY ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IS ALSO DAMAGED FROM THE HOOD IMPACT.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING GARAGE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. I STARTED THE CAR ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER AND IT WAS FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE SENSOR. I MENTIONED THE RECALL ON THE 2011S AND THE GUY BLEW IT OFF...THANKFULLY THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 2500.00. INSTEAD IT ONLY COST ME 775.00.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2018
POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS STILL POSSIBLE, ALTHOUGH VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS PRESENTS A MAJOR HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. A RECALL EXISTS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 2008-2011.
Steering, Nov 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING GETS REALLY HARD TO TURN. IT LOOSES POWER ASSIST. IT WILL QUIT IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS THE SAME COMPLAINT INVOLVED IN ANOTHER RECALL BUT THIS TRUCK IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL... 1500 DOLLAR REPAIR TO REPLACE PARTS FROM FORD
Steering, Suspension, Nov 18, 2018
STARTED LAST YEAR . PROBLEM OCCUR FORWARD OR BACKING UP. STEERING WILL BECOME HEAVY AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WILL GET LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL SIMULTINEOULY STOP BUT ENGINE STAYS ON. I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO OFF AND TURN BACK TO ON. THEN I RESUME DRIVING UNTIL IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER THEY DECLINED ANY RECALLS. THEY CLAIMED RECALLS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE PRIOR YEAR 2011. THE COST TO REPAIR COULD BE UP TO $1300 AS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE SYMBOL DIAGNOSIS CODE THAT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. STRTED A YEAR AGO WITH MILEAGE AROUND 135,000 AND CONTINUE TILL TODATE . WHEEL BEARING WERE EXCHANGED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS UNKOWING TO ME OF THE RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR FORD ESCAPE 2012 ENGINE STALL/DIES WHILE DRIVING , ALMOST ON DAILY BASES NOW, AT ANY TRAVEL POINT AT ANY ROAD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT BUT NOW GOES. I TOOK THE PHOTO(JUST IN CASE TO PROVE IT) AND DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER PRINTOUT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED . I READ THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART UP TO 10 YEARS DUE TO DEFECT THROTTLE BODY . I WILL TAKE TO THE DEALER TOMORROW AND I WILL NOTIFY THEM TOO. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43150 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS TO BE FIX DUE TO A DANGEROUS ENGINE STALLING . "I PURCHASED IT RECENTLY"
Steering, Nov 12, 2018
TURNED ON TO ON-RAMP TO HIGHWAY, POWERING STEERING FAILED. HARD TO TURN WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULLED TO COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND TURN VEHICLE BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING ONCE AGAIN. DROVE HWY 14 MILES AND TOOK OFF-RAMP AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
EPAS (POWER STEERING COLUMN) WENT OUT, NOT COVERED IN PAST RECALL - MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING POWERING ISSUES WITH THESE FORDS... SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!
Steering, Nov 8, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLF MILL FORD (9401 N MILWAUKEE AVE, NILES, IL 60714, (847) 470-9800), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Steering, Nov 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE POWER STEERING AND RETURNED IT TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. PRIME FORD (LOCATED AT 857 PORTLAND RD, SACO, ME 04072, (207) 282-0300) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,691.
Steering, Oct 30, 2018
THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF. I WAS IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE AND AT FIRST THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE AGAINST THE CURB. REALIZED THEY WEREN'T AND MANAGED TO EXIT THE LINE AND TURN INTO A PARKING PLACE. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND WHEN HE GOT THERE AN HOUR LATER, THE STEERING WAS FINE.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 26, 2018
POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKING, WHEN MAKING TURNS WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON AND OFF, TO GET IT TO UNLOCK OR BACK TO NORMAL HANDLING, I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SAFELY MANNER, PUT CAR ON PARK TURN ENGINE OFF, THEN RESTART CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE TAKING MY CAR TO FORD DEALER AND SEE HOE THEY CAN HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH 2008-12 FORD ESCAPES.
Steering, Oct 25, 2018
MY CARS STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER! ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2018
EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS ISSUE WITH FLAP/FUEL TANK COVER GIVING A ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND FLAG FOR EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM - KNOWN DEFECTS WITH FORD'S CARS/TRUCKS. DEALER SAYS IT'S PROBABLY A PIPE - FUEL FILLER (PART FOCL8Z-9034-A/B R&R ISSUE BUT LOCAL MECHANICS ALL SAY IT'S THE FLAP/COVER ISSUE/PROBLEM FOR GAS TANKS - A KNOWN FORD DEFECT AND SHOULD'VE BEEN PART OF ALL SIMILAR FORD RECALLS FOR SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES/MODELS. I'M BEING TOLD THIS IS A $600-800 REPAIR BY THE LOCAL DEALER.
Steering, Oct 4, 2018
2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERNS WITH ELECTRIC POWER STREERING AND IF RECALL IS NECESSARY. *AS *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2018
RECALL 16V-777 INITIAL COMMUNICATION 2017 HAVE CALLED DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS FORD DIRECT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND CANNOT ADVISE WHEN THEY MAY BE.
Steering, Oct 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY AND MADE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU FUSZ FORD (2 CAPRICE DR, CHESTERFIELD, MO 63005, (636) 532-9955) WHERE THEY SUGGESTED REPAIRING THE POWER BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,085.