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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
113,520 miles · Dec 8, 2019
Seat Belts

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEPS KICKING UP AND WHEN IT DOES IT DOESN'T LET YOU MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #11287783

57,000 miles · Dec 1, 2019
Power Train

COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS RESULTS FOUND TRANSMISSION A-1 CELL DEFECTED IN TWO AREAS CAUSING MY 2012 F-ESCAPE LIMITED THE INABILITY TO SEND PROPER SIGNALS FOR THE ENGINE TO RECEIVE POWER/ENERGY NECESSARY TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. MY SUV HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION HAS KNOW…

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COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS RESULTS FOUND TRANSMISSION A-1 CELL DEFECTED IN TWO AREAS CAUSING MY 2012 F-ESCAPE LIMITED THE INABILITY TO SEND PROPER SIGNALS FOR THE ENGINE TO RECEIVE POWER/ENERGY NECESSARY TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR. MY SUV HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALERSHIP THE TRANSMISSION HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION BUT, HAS YET TO BE RECALLED. SINCE, I MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS ENDED. I HAVE NO COVERAGE FOR THIS MOST EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR ANY/MY AUTOMOBILE. MY CAR IS NOW CONSIDERED WORTHLESS FOR A TRADE IN OR TO GO TOWARDS A NEW PURCHASE. PLEASE SEND ME A CONFORMATION OF MY COMPLAINT WITH AN EXPLANATION OF HOW MY SITUATION CAN BE RECTIFIED. IN REGARD FOR DESCRIPTION OF CAR PERFORMANCE, MY CAR ROLLS OUT IF PARKING,/OR AT STOP LIGHTS BY HEAVY GAS REVVING, ONCE ON HIGHWAY GOING 59-60 MPH CAR DRIVES AS NOTHING IS WRONG DUE TO BEING STUCK IN 5TG GEAR. PLEASE REPORT MY COMPLAINT SO FORD MANUFACTURING CAN RESOLVE AND APPROPRIATELY PAY REPARATIONS FOR REPAIRS, RENTAL, TOWING, AND LOSS WAGES DUE TO NO TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I COULD NOT EXCELLERATE PROPER SPEED LIMITS WHEN STOPPING, PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, OR AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR OFF RAMPS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. RESPECTFULLY, FORD OWNER. DEC. 1 2019

NHTSA ODI #11283161

69,000 miles · Nov 25, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH FORCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN THE ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE DID A ONE EIGHTY DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH FORCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN THE ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE DID A ONE EIGHTY DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES AND WHIPLASH, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. DURING THOSE FAILURES, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN TIMES AND THERE WOULD BE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR WHILE SHE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #11282144

136,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Steering

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN MY POWER STEERING QUIT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT MY CAR HAD TURNED OFF BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. RETURNED HOME(ABOUT A MILE) AND THE CAR STEERING WASN'T WORKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BRING IT INTO BE DIAGNOSED. AFTER TURNING KEY OFF AND ON, DISCOVERED THAT I AGAIN…

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I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN MY POWER STEERING QUIT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT MY CAR HAD TURNED OFF BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. RETURNED HOME(ABOUT A MILE) AND THE CAR STEERING WASN'T WORKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BRING IT INTO BE DIAGNOSED. AFTER TURNING KEY OFF AND ON, DISCOVERED THAT I AGAIN HAD POWER STEERING. 2011 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. BUT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE $2600 TO FIX! NOT LIKELY!

NHTSA ODI #11280406

120,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO ITS DESTINATION.…

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TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO ITS DESTINATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ECHELON FORD (LOCATED AT 4 S WHITE HORSE PIKE, STRATFORD, NJ 08084, (856) 627-8400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *AS

NHTSA ODI #11280296

92,000 miles · Nov 11, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER PERFORMING THE RECALL THE PROBLEM CONTINUE SHOWING CHECK FUEL TANK INLET..IN THE PANEL AND THEN CHECKING ENGINE LIGTH ON ..ITS BEEN A SOLID PROBLEM FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND FORD SHOULD GET THE RIGTH WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11279433

47,900 miles · Nov 7, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. I GOOGLED THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT IT IS PROBABLY THE ETB ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NHTSA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY REQUIRING FORD TO PROVIDE TOWING. INSTEAD NHTSA ONLY…

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MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. I GOOGLED THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT IT IS PROBABLY THE ETB ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NHTSA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY REQUIRING FORD TO PROVIDE TOWING. INSTEAD NHTSA ONLY REQUIRED THAT FORD EXTEND THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS LEAVING FORD OWNERS AT RISK OF INJURY OR WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11278709

173,425 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LATER THAT DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LATER THAT DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,425.

NHTSA ODI #11278150

101,943 miles · Oct 16, 2019
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARDS FOR THE SECOND TIME. EACH TIME, THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY VANDALISM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE GLASS COMPANY (SAFELITE) STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARDS FOR THE SECOND TIME. EACH TIME, THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY VANDALISM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE GLASS COMPANY (SAFELITE) STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,943.

NHTSA ODI #11268862

110,000 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Steering

MY WIFE HAD BEEN SAYING THAT HER ESCAPE STEERING WOULD GO OUT. IT HAPPENS ABOUT 3-5 TIMES PER DAY. WHEN SHE IS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. SHE HAS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN TURNIN…

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MY WIFE HAD BEEN SAYING THAT HER ESCAPE STEERING WOULD GO OUT. IT HAPPENS ABOUT 3-5 TIMES PER DAY. WHEN SHE IS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. SHE HAS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN TURNING INTO A GAS STATION. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES FROM 2008-2011. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING AND FORD WILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11268310

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