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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

What owners actually said

598 reports
92,187 miles · Apr 18, 2020
Steering

WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT DAY IN THE MORNING, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON IT STARTED VIBRATING, WHICH I THOUGH WAS FROM THE COLD TEMPERATURE, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN LIKE NORMALLY. HAD A MECHANIC COME TO LOOK AT IT, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WI…

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WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT DAY IN THE MORNING, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON IT STARTED VIBRATING, WHICH I THOUGH WAS FROM THE COLD TEMPERATURE, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN LIKE NORMALLY. HAD A MECHANIC COME TO LOOK AT IT, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, AND THAT THIS WAS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN OTHER ESCAPES FROM DIFFERENT YEARS. WE FOUND THE RECALL FOR PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL. CAR HAS REMAINED PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY SINCE OCTOBER 2019. HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE RECALL AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT APPLICABLE TO OUR MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11321528

151,000 miles · Apr 7, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH TO AVOID THE HOOD BEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH TO AVOID THE HOOD BECOMING UNLATCHED AGAIN. CLEVELAND FORD (2496 S LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN 37311, (423) 218-1622) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD AND THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT A GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI #11320427

160,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Structure

THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CHECKED THE OIL AND MADE SURE THE HOOD WAS CLOSED BY ATTEMPTING TO LIFT IT. I WAS ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES WHEN THE HOOD BLEW OPEN DAMAGING THE HOOD AND LATCHES IT WAS A WINDY DAY OUT MY SPEED WAS AROUND 30 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11318351

37,000 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

DRIVER DOOR SEAL (TOP) LEAKS TO THE POINT OF THERE BEING 2 INCHES OF WATER ON DRIVER FLOOR. ALSO WATER IS GETTING INSIDE THE DOOR, WHICH IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES AT DEALER & LEAK STILL EXISTS. THIS IS CAUSING MOLD & RUST IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER OR THE INEXCUS…

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DRIVER DOOR SEAL (TOP) LEAKS TO THE POINT OF THERE BEING 2 INCHES OF WATER ON DRIVER FLOOR. ALSO WATER IS GETTING INSIDE THE DOOR, WHICH IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES AT DEALER & LEAK STILL EXISTS. THIS IS CAUSING MOLD & RUST IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER OR THE INEXCUSABLE REPAIR WORK OF ATLANTIC AUTOMALL, BUT IT'S BECOMING A REAL SAFETY ISSUE & ATLANTIC AUTOMALL HAS BEEN REFUSING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OR EVEN RESPOND TO MY CALLS

NHTSA ODI #11311785

125,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Structure

BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. BOTH BRACKETS THAT ATTACH FROM THE ROOF TO THE GLASS IN THE REAR (TOP HALF OF HATCH BACK) SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE GLASS DROPPED - HELD ON ONLY BY THE TWO ARMS THAT GUIDE THE WINDOW/GLASS UP AND OUT WHEN OPEN/LIFTED.

NHTSA ODI #11309685

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2020
Seat Belts

THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT KEEPS LOCKING AND MAKES IT SO YOU CAN'T MOVE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO RELEASE IS BY UNDOING THE SEATBEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11297021

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK FUEL INTAKE LID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK FUEL INTAKE LID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11296631

88,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND SECURE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE CONTACT CALLED CORWIN FORD (LOCATED AT 3241 SOUTH GLENSTONE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804, 877-962-2371) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND SECURE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE CONTACT CALLED CORWIN FORD (LOCATED AT 3241 SOUTH GLENSTONE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804, 877-962-2371) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-25127436. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #11289348

149,249 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Steering

I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY @ 25 MPH AND MADE RIGHT TURN THEN THE STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. WAS HARD TO CONTROL SO I CAME TO A STOP. COULD NOT STEER CAR WITHOUT FORCING IT. HAD THE CAR TOWED. WHEN I STARTED IT UP AT HOME THE STEERING WAS FINE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT

NHTSA ODI #11289157

79,795 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING AND SMELL OF RAW GAS FUMES NEAR LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA. SHOP TESTED FOUND CODE P0456 TRACED TO CRACKED AND LEAKING ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. REPLACED PUMP NOW OK . IN CHECKING I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL #16S41 FOR 2012 ESCAPE WITH V6 ENGINE , MY CAR IS A 4 CYL . NOT …

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING AND SMELL OF RAW GAS FUMES NEAR LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA. SHOP TESTED FOUND CODE P0456 TRACED TO CRACKED AND LEAKING ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. REPLACED PUMP NOW OK . IN CHECKING I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL #16S41 FOR 2012 ESCAPE WITH V6 ENGINE , MY CAR IS A 4 CYL . NOT INCL. IN RECALL BUT PRODUCED IN SAME PRODUCTION SEQUENCE PRODUCTION DATE 8-11 SALES DATE 11-19-2011 THE ABOVE RECALL WAS FOR LEAKING FUEL PUMP .I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED ALSO . I CONTACTED DEALER THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD CO. FILED CASE #CAS-21767319 ON 5-29-19 FORD SAID NO RECALL ,SORRY NO HELP WITH REPAIR BILL .I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS A SAFETY HAZARD ALSO COVERED UNDER EMISSION WARRANTY 8 YEAS OR 80,000 MILES I WROTE TO DEALER 9-12-2019 NO RESPONSE CAR HAD 79.795 AT TIME OF REPAIR. I STILL HAVE THE CAR AND THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP IF INSPECTION IS REQUIRED. THIS CONDITION WAS ON PUBLIC STREET AND PRIVATE PROPERTY MOVING AND STATIONARY. MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FIRE IF THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL LEAK WASN'T DETECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11287925

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