← New search

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
13,420 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, BOTH FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, BOTH FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,420. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN UPDATED 12/18/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10610950

54,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,0…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 08/29/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10610613

42,983 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeatsCrash

THIS DOCUMENT IS IN RESPONSE TO A FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING MAY 16, 2014 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AT MY REQUEST I REQUESTED THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIATIVE AND PROBABLY HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAR WAS BUILT. PERHAPS AN IN…

Read full complaint

THIS DOCUMENT IS IN RESPONSE TO A FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING MAY 16, 2014 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AT MY REQUEST I REQUESTED THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIATIVE AND PROBABLY HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAR WAS BUILT. PERHAPS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME, MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR FORD SUV BE CONSIDERED. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610514

18,678 miles · Jun 23, 2014
EnginePower Train

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 52*: TECH NOTES CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER IS LEAKING. CAUSE: VERIFY CONCERN, FIND THAT VEHICLE HAS CLUTCH FLUID LEAKING FROM INSIDE BELL HOUSING AREA. CORRECTION: REMOVE TRANS & INSPECT, FIND THAT SLAVE CYL IS SEEPING FLUID. INSTALL NEW SLAVE CYL & ADAPTER. ASSEMBLE VEHICLE, …

Read full complaint

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 52*: TECH NOTES CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER IS LEAKING. CAUSE: VERIFY CONCERN, FIND THAT VEHICLE HAS CLUTCH FLUID LEAKING FROM INSIDE BELL HOUSING AREA. CORRECTION: REMOVE TRANS & INSPECT, FIND THAT SLAVE CYL IS SEEPING FLUID. INSTALL NEW SLAVE CYL & ADAPTER. ASSEMBLE VEHICLE, NO LEAKS FOUND INSIDE BELL HOUSING, BUT CLUTCH LIVE FROM MASTER CYL TO SLAVE CYL WILL NOT SEAL PROPERLY. INSTALL LINE, BLEED SYSTEM & RETEST, ALL PASS. 52-3: MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER- HYDRAULIC CLUTCH - REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605309

36,950 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Engine

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: CUSTOMER STATES DRIVE BELT COMING APART. CAUSE: WARRANTY CORRECTION: VERIFY BELT SHREDDED. FOUND WATER PUMP LOCKED UP UNABLE TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM TENSIONER REPLACE WATER PUMP TENSIONER BELT. TEST DRIVE OK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605304

18,678 miles · Jun 23, 2014
EnginePower Train

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: VERIFY CUST CONCERN, FIND THAT VEH SPINS OVER BUT WILL NOT START, INSTALL IDS & PERFORMED KOEO, ALL PASS. PERFORM RELATIVE COMPRESSION TEST, 80% LOSS 3,4. CORRECTION: PERFORM MANUAL COMPRESSION TEST. CYL 1-180, 2-175, 3-0, 4-0. PERFORM LEAKDOWN & PRESSURE TEST, FIND THA…

Read full complaint

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: VERIFY CUST CONCERN, FIND THAT VEH SPINS OVER BUT WILL NOT START, INSTALL IDS & PERFORMED KOEO, ALL PASS. PERFORM RELATIVE COMPRESSION TEST, 80% LOSS 3,4. CORRECTION: PERFORM MANUAL COMPRESSION TEST. CYL 1-180, 2-175, 3-0, 4-0. PERFORM LEAKDOWN & PRESSURE TEST, FIND THAT INTAKE VALVES IN 3 & 4 ARE NOT SEALING. REMOVE VALVE COVER & INSPECT CAMSHAFTS, NO DAMAGE FOUND. SPIN VEHICLE OVER & VERIFY TIMING. FIND THAT CRANK PULLEY HAS BRACKET OUT & VEHICLE HAS JUMPED TIME. 51-1: REMOVE INTAKE, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, TIMING COMPONENTS & CYL HEAD. INSPECT AND FINDS THAT VALVES IN 3,4 HAVE CONTACTED PISTONS, NO DAMAGE FOUND ON PISTONS. INSTALL NEW HEAD GASKET, CYL HEAD BOLTS, 2 NEW DIAMOND WASHERS, ALL RELATED GASKETS & PERFORM TIMING PROCEDURE. ASSEMBLE VEHICLE, CHANGE OIL & FILL FL. 52-2 KOEO, PASS. ROER VEHICLE HAS DTC PO524. PERFORM PINPOINT TEST, REPLACE VCT SOLENOID, KOER ALL PASS. TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE RUNS PROPERLY AT THIS TIME. 51-5: CYLINDER HEAD GASKET- LEAKAGE (EXTERNAL LEAKS)- TEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605232

15,295 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT THROWN. ALSO FOUND AND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT COVER VIA A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE COVER. CORRECTION: REPLACED FRONT COVER AND VBELT. ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT THAT WAS STRIPPED OU…

Read full complaint

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT THROWN. ALSO FOUND AND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT COVER VIA A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE COVER. CORRECTION: REPLACED FRONT COVER AND VBELT. ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT THAT WAS STRIPPED OUT. VERIFIED REPAIR. BATTERY LIGHT IS OFF AND NO OIL LEAKS AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605215

81,124 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING - NO GAS PRESSURE - ENGINE RUNNING, PEDAL TO FLOOR, NO REV., OR EXCESSIVE REV WHILE DRIVING. ADVISED BY ASE MECHANIC - THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604784

4,000 miles · May 29, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A DEAD STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE AUTOMOBILE ENGINE HESITATES OR SEMI STALLS AND WILL NOT PICK UP NORMAL SPEED IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF APPROACHING,ON COMING AND FOLLOWING VEHICLES. AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY VEHICLES BEHIND US, OR HIT FROM THE DR…

Read full complaint

WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A DEAD STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE AUTOMOBILE ENGINE HESITATES OR SEMI STALLS AND WILL NOT PICK UP NORMAL SPEED IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF APPROACHING,ON COMING AND FOLLOWING VEHICLES. AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY VEHICLES BEHIND US, OR HIT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE'S HESITATION WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS OR MAJOR HIGHWAYS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT "NO PROBLEM" WAS FOUND, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I GUESS WHEN A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS SOMETHING WILL BE DONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594912

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2014
StructureVehicle Speed ControlVisibility

2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN CONCERN REGARDING LETTER RECEIVED ABOUT THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, DUE TO A LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10584862

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