Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
800–25K
8825–50K
9850–75K
5375–100K
67100–150K
27150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other
MAY 7, 2013, I WOKE UP TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT AND CLEARED BOTH FRONT SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES. THEY ALSO INSPECTED, REMOVED AND INSTALLED FRONT SEATS AND CENTER CONSOLE FOR CARPET CLEANING (ACCORDING TO MY INVOICE). I WAS TOLD THE WATER WAS THERE BECAUSE THE SUNRO…
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MAY 7, 2013, I WOKE UP TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT AND CLEARED BOTH FRONT SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES. THEY ALSO INSPECTED, REMOVED AND INSTALLED FRONT SEATS AND CENTER CONSOLE FOR CARPET CLEANING (ACCORDING TO MY INVOICE). I WAS TOLD THE WATER WAS THERE BECAUSE THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES DUMPED WATER ONTO THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. MARCH 31, 2014, I TOOK MY CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF HAVING WATER ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP UNSUCCESSFULLY, AND TAKING MY FLOOR SOAKED CAR BACK HOME. I SPOKE WITH A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THEY WERE WILLING TO COVER THE PRICE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. I TOOK MY ESCAPE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY, ACCORDING TO MY INVOICE THEY CHECKED THE SUNROOF, THEN ADJUSTED THE SUNROOF AND CLEANED SUNROOF DRAINS. I WAS TOLD THE SOLUTION WAS TO 1- AVOID TREES AND 2-HAVE MY SUNROOF TUBES BLOWN OUT AT OIL CHANGES. I HAVE SINCE AVOIDED TREES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE HAD MY OIL CHANGE EXPERTS BLOW OUT THE TUBES. NOVEMBER 9, 2015, I WOKE UP TO FIND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. I CALLED FORD, I WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL REP WILL CONTACT ME BY END OF DAY THE NEXT DAY. I HAD THE DRAIN TUBES BLOWN OUT IN SEPTEMBER AT MY LAST OIL CHANGE. NOVEMBER 10, 2015, I WAS CONTACTED BY THE REGIONAL REP., I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS, JUST BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THIS IS THE SAME THING. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD. EACH TIME I FOUND THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AFTER NOT BEING IN MOTION WITH WET FLOORS.
NHTSA ODI #10790740
62,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790541
46,000 miles · Oct 31, 2015
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE SHIFTS BADLY. HAS A LAGGING UPSHIFT FROM STARTS AND A HARSH DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 ESCAPE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG JUST THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION IS.
NHTSA ODI #10787432
45,150 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED AND SLOWED TO A CRAWL. WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE THEN DECELERATE RAPIDLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10783537
22,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF CONTACT SOLD HER CAR TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
NHTSA ODI #10783369
52,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CCONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CCONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR AN EVALUATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10781146
48,800 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/16/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10779190
37,782 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND VEERING TO THE LEFT, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,782. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10778526
36,127 miles · Sep 23, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE I NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR LATCH SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR GOES BAD FROM WATER DAMAGE CAUSED BY LEAKING REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE ALL THE DOORS OF A VEHICLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IN THE EV…
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THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE I NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR LATCH SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR GOES BAD FROM WATER DAMAGE CAUSED BY LEAKING REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE ALL THE DOORS OF A VEHICLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY EXIT FROM VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST OF REAR LATCH PROBLEMS THAT FORD HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING.
NHTSA ODI #10775340
34 miles · Sep 12, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
CAR SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOU EXCELERATE. RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN AND IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPROGRAMED ONCE SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THE CAR. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE.
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.
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