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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

18 reports
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39,632 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED AND ENDED UP GOING THROUGH CROSS TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER $4990 AND A FULL MONTH AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, IT WAS FOUND THE HCU HAD A LEAKING SEAL AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISABLE THE BRAKES!

NHTSA ODI #11060649

130,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE AND WANTS ME TO RESCHEDULE TO BRING IT N AGAIN A WEEK LATER. THIS HAPPENS EVERY I STOP OR SLOW DOWN IN A RIGHT TURN. I GET THE VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. I HAVE TAKES ELSE WHERE TO CHECK IF THERE IS SOMETHING STUCK IN THE BRAKE BUT N…

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WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE AND WANTS ME TO RESCHEDULE TO BRING IT N AGAIN A WEEK LATER. THIS HAPPENS EVERY I STOP OR SLOW DOWN IN A RIGHT TURN. I GET THE VIBRATION AND ENGINE STALLS. I HAVE TAKES ELSE WHERE TO CHECK IF THERE IS SOMETHING STUCK IN THE BRAKE BUT NOTHING FOUND THEY DO REPLICATE PROBLEM BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I CAN NOT DRIVE UNTIL THIS IS FIXED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER IS NO HELP MAYBE MANUFACTURE OR SOMEONE ELSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO CAN ASSIST.

NHTSA ODI #10992933

60,000 miles · May 16, 2017
Service Brakes

BRAKE HOSE CONNECTOR FOR FRONT BRAKES IS NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO FLOW BACK TO MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAUSES BRAKES TO REMAIN APPLIED AND HEATING UP. TEMPERATURES PREDICTED BY FORD DEALER (SHANE AT BOB ALLEN FORD, OVERLAND PARK, KS) PREDICTED TO BE AS HIGH AS 1200 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IS HIGH AND BRAKES, ROTORS…

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BRAKE HOSE CONNECTOR FOR FRONT BRAKES IS NOT ALLOWING FLUID TO FLOW BACK TO MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAUSES BRAKES TO REMAIN APPLIED AND HEATING UP. TEMPERATURES PREDICTED BY FORD DEALER (SHANE AT BOB ALLEN FORD, OVERLAND PARK, KS) PREDICTED TO BE AS HIGH AS 1200 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IS HIGH AND BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS ARE RUINED. WAS NOTICED IMMEDIATELY BY DRIVER OF VEHICLE. NOT A DELAYED ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10985951

113,000 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Service BrakesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10934840

26,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Service Brakes

WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE REAR BRAKES MAKE A RUBBING SOUND LIKE HAVING A FLAT SPOT ON THE DRUMS. ITS BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME SOUND. THEY SAY ITS NORMAL. 1 YEAR BEFORE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT NEVER SOUNDED THAT WAY. EVEN WHILE PARKED AND STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT STILL SOUNDS LIKE SPRINGS ARE GOING TO SN…

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WHEN SLOWING DOWN, THE REAR BRAKES MAKE A RUBBING SOUND LIKE HAVING A FLAT SPOT ON THE DRUMS. ITS BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME SOUND. THEY SAY ITS NORMAL. 1 YEAR BEFORE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT NEVER SOUNDED THAT WAY. EVEN WHILE PARKED AND STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT STILL SOUNDS LIKE SPRINGS ARE GOING TO SNAP. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662548

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…

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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

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2012
Service BrakesSteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO BE RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO BE RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10489190

60 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE PEDAL ABRUPTLY EXTENDED PARTIALLY TO THE FLOOR FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE PEDAL ABRUPTLY EXTENDED PARTIALLY TO THE FLOOR FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 08/28/12. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10466441

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