6 STAINLESS STEEL LUG NUT COVERS WERE REMOVED BY DEALER DURING INSTALL OF 4 NEW TIRES. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A FORD ISSUE DUE TO DESIGN AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? THANKS *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
598 reportsI RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING FROM FORD BUT CAN NOT FIND IT IN YOUR DATABASE FOR MY VEHICLE. IS THERE A RECALL OR NOT FOR MY VEHICLE? VIN: [XXX] FSA TITLE: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY EXTENDED COVERAGE FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 13N03 A RECALL IS AN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY CONCERN RELATED TO A VEHICLE DEFECT OR R…
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I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING FROM FORD BUT CAN NOT FIND IT IN YOUR DATABASE FOR MY VEHICLE. IS THERE A RECALL OR NOT FOR MY VEHICLE? VIN: [XXX] FSA TITLE: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY EXTENDED COVERAGE FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 13N03 A RECALL IS AN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY CONCERN RELATED TO A VEHICLE DEFECT OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENT. IT MAY REQUIRE THAT YOU RETURN YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED, IT MAY BE BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT AT A DIFFERENT TIME OR USING A DIFFERENT PART THAN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. BE ADVISED THAT THIS SYSTEM TRACKS SAFETY AND EMISSIONS RECALLS FOR WHICH VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO REPAIR IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND UPDATE. THERE MAY BE TEMPORARY DELAYS IN UPDATE OF INFORMATION ON THIS SITE DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF YOUR VEHICLE OR ANY RECALL PROGRAM OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY OR THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A PROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A PROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,781.
2013 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE DEFECT RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NO ON, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 14V597000. *JB
SO FAR.. 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR HAS STRONGLY SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED! I WAS ALMOST HIT TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO RE-START MY CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED IT CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS AN EPIC SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED/ADDRESSED ASAP!!! *T…
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SO FAR.. 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR HAS STRONGLY SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED! I WAS ALMOST HIT TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO RE-START MY CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED IT CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS AN EPIC SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED/ADDRESSED ASAP!!! *TR
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE CAR WASH. ON THE WAY TO THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPING FORWARD WHILE HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. DRIVER CONTINUED ON TO THE CAR WASH. AS HE WAS PULLING FORWARD AT THE CAR WASH(VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE), THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AGAIN AND WHEN DRIVER PUSHED ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICL…
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THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE CAR WASH. ON THE WAY TO THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPING FORWARD WHILE HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. DRIVER CONTINUED ON TO THE CAR WASH. AS HE WAS PULLING FORWARD AT THE CAR WASH(VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE), THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AGAIN AND WHEN DRIVER PUSHED ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK ON IT'S OWN AND CRUSHED A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, A POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
JUST AFTER LEAVING A 4 WAY STOP, AS I TRIED TO ROUND THE CURVE THE STEERING IN OUR 2012 ESCAPE STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I JUST KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. LUCKILY, I SLOWED DOWN WITH THE BRAKES BUT THE ESCAPE CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND DOWN A 50+ FT EMBANKMENT. EVEN WITH ALL O…
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JUST AFTER LEAVING A 4 WAY STOP, AS I TRIED TO ROUND THE CURVE THE STEERING IN OUR 2012 ESCAPE STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I JUST KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. LUCKILY, I SLOWED DOWN WITH THE BRAKES BUT THE ESCAPE CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND DOWN A 50+ FT EMBANKMENT. EVEN WITH ALL OF THIS IMPACT, NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE CAR ANYWHERE! THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WAS BAD ENOUGH, BUT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE CONDITION OF THE CAR AND THEN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT- THAT WAS WAY TOO MUCH! *TR
GOING TO WORK EARLY (6:35AM) MONDAY MORNING, DRIVING AROUND 35-40MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDENLY I HEAR A BIG BOOM AND THE SOUND OF SOMETHING BEING SPLATTER AND HITTING THE BACK OF MY HEAD. THE NEXT THING I KNOW I FEEL A BIG GUST OF COLD AIR IN THE CAR AND WHEN I LOOK THROUGH MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, I SEE THAT MY REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW …
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GOING TO WORK EARLY (6:35AM) MONDAY MORNING, DRIVING AROUND 35-40MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDENLY I HEAR A BIG BOOM AND THE SOUND OF SOMETHING BEING SPLATTER AND HITTING THE BACK OF MY HEAD. THE NEXT THING I KNOW I FEEL A BIG GUST OF COLD AIR IN THE CAR AND WHEN I LOOK THROUGH MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, I SEE THAT MY REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HAD JUST EXPLODED. ALL THIS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE BACK SEAT AND THE BACK OF THE SUV WERE COVERED WITH HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF GLASS. THE TWO HYDRAULIC BARS THAT CONTROL THE OPENING OF THE DOOR ALONG WITH THE REAR WINDOW WIPER ASSEMBLY WERE JUST HANGING THERE. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. IT WAS JUST A BLESSING THAT IT WASN'T RAINING NOR SNOWING. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. WHY ME? IS IT NOT A FLAW IN THE DESIGN SOMEHOW? AFTER RESEARCHING I SEE THAT IT HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REAR WINDOWS EXPLODING, JUST BECAUSE FORD DECIDED TO PUT THE HYDRAULIC BARS ON THE WINDOW. AGAIN SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
ENGINE DIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. *TR
Official recalls
116V777000 · 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
2PE13003 · 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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