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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
92,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Service Brakes

2 MONTHS AGO WE HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY TO GO INTO A SHOP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE AND WE COULD BARELY MOVE THE CAR. THE BRAKES HAD LOCKED INTO THE PISTONS AND THE PISTONS WERE CRACKED AND EVERYTHING INVOLVING THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE CALIBERS. YESTERDAY 5/30/19 WE TOOK IT IN AND YET…

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2 MONTHS AGO WE HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY TO GO INTO A SHOP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE AND WE COULD BARELY MOVE THE CAR. THE BRAKES HAD LOCKED INTO THE PISTONS AND THE PISTONS WERE CRACKED AND EVERYTHING INVOLVING THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE CALIBERS. YESTERDAY 5/30/19 WE TOOK IT IN AND YET AGAIN THE BRAKES ARE LOCKED AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING THE CALIBERS. WE LOOKED IT UP AND THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM HTTPS://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/41616/FORD/ESCAPE/08-FORD-ESCAPE-FRONT-BRAKES-LOCKING-UP

NHTSA ODI #11217087

106,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMBALL FORD (281-378-3160, LOCATED AT 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOMBALL FORD (281-378-3160, LOCATED AT 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11209740

114,000 miles · May 20, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

THE AREA OF MOST CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. EIGHT MONTHS AGO, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING JUST AFTER EXITING A FREEWAY. NOW IT IS MAKING THE SAME SOUND AGAIN AND MY MECHANIC FEELS THE WHEEL MAY LOCK COMPLETELY.I DRIVE MOUNTAIN PASSES, WHICH MAKES THIS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. CONTACT WITH LOCAL AND CORPORATE FORD…

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THE AREA OF MOST CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. EIGHT MONTHS AGO, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING JUST AFTER EXITING A FREEWAY. NOW IT IS MAKING THE SAME SOUND AGAIN AND MY MECHANIC FEELS THE WHEEL MAY LOCK COMPLETELY.I DRIVE MOUNTAIN PASSES, WHICH MAKES THIS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. CONTACT WITH LOCAL AND CORPORATE FORD SAYS IT IS MY PROBLEM TO GET IT OVER AN HOUR AWAY TO THE DEALER, AND REPAIR WILL BE AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I LEARNED ONLY AFTER CONTACTING FORD ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE, THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE FUEL MODULE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FIRE. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THIS UNTIL I REPORTED THE STEERING ISSUE TO THE COMPANY. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL TAKE FOUR WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM LOSING INCOME EVERY DAY AS I DRIVE FOR A LIVING. NO CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ME, MY FAMILY, OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11208741

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

I LOSE FUEL ACCORDING TO MY GAGE AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT WILL GO FROM 212 MILES TO 199 AND I'VE DRIVEN MAYBE A QUARTER BLOCK.

NHTSA ODI #11205592

125,000 miles · Apr 30, 2019
Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, WHEN PUTTING ON OR TAKING OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11204722

59,200 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Electrical System

GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY GAUGES DROPPED, EXCEPT FOR FUEL. MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF I'D LOST ENGINE POWER. I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER, THANKFULLY. SINCE THEN, W/O ANY WARNINGS THE GAUGES WILL DROP, AND ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I WENT TO ADVANCED A…

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GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY GAUGES DROPPED, EXCEPT FOR FUEL. MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF I'D LOST ENGINE POWER. I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER, THANKFULLY. SINCE THEN, W/O ANY WARNINGS THE GAUGES WILL DROP, AND ALL THE SENSOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS, AND HAD THEM TO PUT IT ON THEIR MACHINE TO SEE IF IT WOULD CODE. IT CODED FOR P-1602. BATTERY TESTED FINE. LOOKED UP ON YOU TUBE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND FOUND THIS VIDEO. IN THE VIDEO IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY 2012 ESCAPE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=M0ZZ0DFESSK LOOKING IN THE COMMENTS SECTION THE OWNER OF A 2010 ESCAPE, SAID THAT FORD REPLACED 3 INSTRUMENT PANELS, AND THE FACTORY FORD TECHNICIAN FINALLY FOUND THAT IT WAS COLD SOLDER JOINTS. IF YOU HIT THE DASH WITH YOU FIST, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES COME BACK UP, SO SEEMS TO BE IN THE WIRING, NOT BATTERY RELATED. MILEAGE, AND INFORMATION CENTER, STILL HASN'T CAME BACK UP. THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING, AND WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM FORD IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11203069

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2019
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE XLT AWD HAS FAILED AT 142,742 MILES. DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SHOP HAVE ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. FORD KNOWS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAILING PREMATURELY AND FORD SHOULD REPAIR, REPLACE THEM AND REIMBURSE IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT …

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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY ESCAPE XLT AWD HAS FAILED AT 142,742 MILES. DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SHOP HAVE ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. FORD KNOWS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAILING PREMATURELY AND FORD SHOULD REPAIR, REPLACE THEM AND REIMBURSE IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP. ONE CAN GO ONLINE AND PERFORM A GOOGLE, BING OR YAHOO SEARCH AND SEE A PLEATHERA OF ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY.

NHTSA ODI #11197324

115,000 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH DURING MORNING TRAFFIC DURING RAIN COVERED ROAD. MY TRACTION STABILITY AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING TO A DOCTOR APPT AND SAW THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. I APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES AND GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP. MY CAR HAS 115,000 MILES WHEN FAIL HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI #11197096

114,500 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AT A SLOW RATE WHEN MY BRAKING FEEL LIKE THERE WAS BORN ABS AND MY CAR WAS GETTING TO CLOSE AND I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND COULDN'T TURN IT. AN HOUR LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY LIG…

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I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AT A SLOW RATE WHEN MY BRAKING FEEL LIKE THERE WAS BORN ABS AND MY CAR WAS GETTING TO CLOSE AND I APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND COULDN'T TURN IT. AN HOUR LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN WELL AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF PASSING A VEHICLE. I HAD NO BRAKES AT THAT POINT. THIS HAPPENED APRIL 20, 2019. CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS. MY ESCAPE IS BECOMING A BIG SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN BRAKING I FEEL MY SYSTEM KEEPS SLIPPING IN THE FRONT END AND A SAGGING IN THE REAR. WHEN I DRIVE IT, I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP. TURNING FEELINGS RIGID AND STIFF AT TIMES. A CAR HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD TO DO A HARD STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP AND STEERING WOULDN'T ALLOW TO TURN. I HAD TO TURN A HARSH RIGHT TO AVOID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE 1ST DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 26 MAY 2016 FROM GLENBROOK HYUNDAI IN FORT WAYNE, IN.

NHTSA ODI #11196661

33,100 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, AFTER EXECUTING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED IN ORDER TO SLOW THEN STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP AS IT SURGED FORWARD. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING TO SLOW…

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IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, AFTER EXECUTING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED IN ORDER TO SLOW THEN STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP AS IT SURGED FORWARD. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING TO SLOW IT DOWN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JARRED BY STRIKING THE CURB THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDOL. SO MUCH POWER WAS APPLIED IN THE SURGE THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, TRAVELED OVER A A GRASS PLOT AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE. OUR FORD ESCAPE SUFFERED FRONT END DAMAGE (TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE) AND THE OTHER VEHICLE (A FORD ECO -BOOST) SUFFERED FRONT AND DRIVERS SIDE DAMAGE. NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT ONE MPH (ALMOST TO A FULL STOP) WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. AS IT SURGED THE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY TO ABOUT SEVEN TO TEN MPH. THE VEHICLES WERE NOT TOWED AT THE TIME BUT WHEN DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE HOME A SEVERE DEFECT IN THE STEERING (PULL TO THE LEFT) WAS NOTICED MAKING IT VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED FROM OUR DRIVEWAY TO THE BODY SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11194555

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