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2012 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

413 reports with mileage · 185 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports3 fire reports18 injury reports

Power Train complaints

66 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2019
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11222173

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2019
Power Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11197324

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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) WA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11184401

93,385 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH; DRIVING STRAIGHT WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE I HAD RAN SOMETHING. THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE A RUBBER BAND UNWINDING AND BEGAN VIBRATING SEVERELY AT RIGHT FRONT. IT APPEARED I MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. I DE-ACCELERATED AND SAFELY EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG WHEN VISIBLY INSPECTING THE VEHICLE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH; DRIVING STRAIGHT WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE I HAD RAN SOMETHING. THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE A RUBBER BAND UNWINDING AND BEGAN VIBRATING SEVERELY AT RIGHT FRONT. IT APPEARED I MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. I DE-ACCELERATED AND SAFELY EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG WHEN VISIBLY INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A DAMAGED CV BOOT, CV JOINT AND THREE FRACTURED BOLTS FOR THE UPPER ENGINE MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. TWO OF FRACTURE SURFACES APPEARED THEY HAD BEEN FRACTURED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE THIRD BOLT HAD A FRACTURE SURFACE THAT WAS ROUGH AND CRYSTALLINE IN APPEARANCE ) ALLUDING TO INSTANTANEOUS FRACTURE OF THE BOLT.

NHTSA ODI #11118660

88,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS HARD DOWN SHIFTS JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE GOING AGAIN ON 6-27-18 AFTER ABOUT 150 MILES OF DRIVING IS WHEN THIS OCCURS

NHTSA ODI #11104030

51,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Power Train

PURCHASED CAR USED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. HAVE HAD VERY HARD SHIFTS 1-->2, BUT TRANSMISSION WAS CHECKED AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. AT TIME OF PURCHASE CAR HAD ABOUT 30K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 51K MILES. SHIFT IS NOW EXTREMELY HARD 1->2, 2->1. CAR GOT STUCK AND WOULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE LAST WEEK AND I ENDED UP STU…

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PURCHASED CAR USED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. HAVE HAD VERY HARD SHIFTS 1-->2, BUT TRANSMISSION WAS CHECKED AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. AT TIME OF PURCHASE CAR HAD ABOUT 30K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 51K MILES. SHIFT IS NOW EXTREMELY HARD 1->2, 2->1. CAR GOT STUCK AND WOULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE LAST WEEK AND I ENDED UP STUCK ON A RAMP IN A PARKING GARAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE FORMWARD AND IT TOOK 5-6 TRIES. CAR WAS THEN STUCK IN FIRST GEAR FOR ABOUT 2 MILES, THEN SUDDENLY SHIFTED AND WAS NORMAL. IT HAS LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION AT TIMES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET, CAR UNABLE TO SHIFT. NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 51K MILES ON THE CAR. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS DRIVEN VERY LIGHTLY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CAR COME OUT OF GEAR (?) WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11092180

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

NO COLD AIR IN AIR CONDITIONER WHOLE MOTOR REPLACED IN 2014 LOCK ON BACK HATCH REPLACED BROKE AGAIN . THE ELECTRICAL RADIO DASH BROKE. RECALL POWER CHAIN WRENCH LIGHT ON AGAIN. HEATING COAL REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11071899

70,000 miles · Dec 4, 2016
Power Train

I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND MADE A THUMPING NOISE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND IT STARTED AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR STOPPED AND HE WAS BEEPING AT MY CAR. IT WAS LUCKY THAT HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND QU…

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I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, AS I ACCELERATED TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND MADE A THUMPING NOISE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND IT STARTED AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR STOPPED AND HE WAS BEEPING AT MY CAR. IT WAS LUCKY THAT HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND QUICKLY STOPPED AS THIS WAS VERY UNEXPECTED AS I WAS ACCELERATING AND NOT BRAKING TO CLUE HIM INTO STOPPING. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS TURNING LEFT AGAIN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND THEN WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AGAIN AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND IT WAS MAKING A THUMPING NOISE AGAIN. THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON. IT WAS FRIGHTENING AS THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE AT FULL SPEED, AT LEASE 30MPH AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CARS DRIVING AT FULL SPEED HAD TO QUICK GO INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID HITTING MY CAR. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I QUICK PUT THE BRAKE ON SO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE SEEN AND THEN THE FLASHERS. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP AND THEN ACCELERATED. I AM GOING RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING AS THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I JUST GOOGLED THE THROTTLE AS THAT IS WHAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT STOOD FOR IN THE MANUAL AND I AM SEEING THIS HAD BEEN A FORD ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. I GET MY OIL CHANGES AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS WAS NEVER TOLD TO ME. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929840

74,500 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

I HAVE A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND IT JUST STARTED ACTING UP. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPT 12, 16 WHILE I WAS HEADED TO WORK. WHILE ACCERLERATING FROM BEING IN PARK, THE THROTTLE BODY/ POWER TRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATES CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD AND A LOT OF SQUEAKING COMES FROM TH…

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I HAVE A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND IT JUST STARTED ACTING UP. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPT 12, 16 WHILE I WAS HEADED TO WORK. WHILE ACCERLERATING FROM BEING IN PARK, THE THROTTLE BODY/ POWER TRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATES CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD AND A LOT OF SQUEAKING COMES FROM THE CAR. SO, I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE EGNITION. ONCE I TURN IT BACK ON IT GOES BACK TO DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES WITHIN 45 DAYS.

NHTSA ODI #10918097

65,000 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO CHOKE DOWN. I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH BECAUSE I HAD JUST RECENTLY DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CRUISED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND I THEN TURNED THE…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO CHOKE DOWN. I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH BECAUSE I HAD JUST RECENTLY DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CRUISED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF. ONCE I HAD SOMEONE THERE TO FOLLOW ME HOME, I CRANKED MY CAR BACK UP AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY THE REST OF THE WAY(3 MILES MAX) TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR DID TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO CRANK BUT SEEMED TO DO FINE ON THE TRIP HOME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON IT SOMETIME TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #10899425

Official recalls

1

16V777000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems