NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
598 reports68,000 miles · Sep 6, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact made a right turn, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the steering torque …
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact made a right turn, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #11542946
173,000 miles · Aug 21, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where it was discovered that the subframe conne…
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where it was discovered that the subframe connectors were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.
NHTSA ODI #11539730
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2023
Power Train
After starting the vehicle for the first time that day, the vehicle was driven 4 miles. When attempting to shift the center console shifter into the PARK position, the shifter was unable to fully move into the PARK position as it was blocked from transiting through the REVERSE position. The vehicle could only fully reach the NEU…
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After starting the vehicle for the first time that day, the vehicle was driven 4 miles. When attempting to shift the center console shifter into the PARK position, the shifter was unable to fully move into the PARK position as it was blocked from transiting through the REVERSE position. The vehicle could only fully reach the NEUTRAL position from DRIVE position. After a few more attempts to move the shifter later the shifter was able to fully reach the PARK position. Subsequent attempts were inconsistent. In one case, the shifter showed PARK but when driver released the foot brake, the vehicle starting rolling backward in reverse (it was determined to be engaged in REVERSE). The issue was resolved by installing a new SHIFTER CABLE fitting at the transmission. The small two-piece plastic fitting that attaches (snaps on and then adjusts/locks) the cable assembly (part number AL8Z-7E395-A) to the transmission Manual Control Lever Ball Stud was loose and likely worn. Before installing the new snap on plastic fitting , attempts were made to adjust the original cable plastic fitting without success. Note that subsequent model years 2013 - 2019 had a similar failure result (Safety Recall 22S43).
NHTSA ODI #11536771
125,000 miles · Jul 27, 2023
Structure
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rusted and fractured mounts; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The …
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rusted and fractured mounts; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #11534906
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Service Brakes
Brake system light warning on every time I drive. Was told there was a recall for 2014 Escape but not 2012. Was told the anti-lock brake system computer has a malfunction.
NHTSA ODI #11528712
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2023
Steering
Shortly after start-up, the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel locked up. I attempted to turn the car off and back on (something I saw suggested online by other 2012 Ford Escape owners), but the power steering did not return. There were no warning lamps indicating a malfunction. When I researched the issue,…
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Shortly after start-up, the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel locked up. I attempted to turn the car off and back on (something I saw suggested online by other 2012 Ford Escape owners), but the power steering did not return. There were no warning lamps indicating a malfunction. When I researched the issue, I found a recall on previous models of the Ford Escape for the same issue. When I searched my car's VIN, it was not included in the recall.
NHTSA ODI #11527709
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2023
Air BagsSteeringInjury
The steering wheel came off in my hands. I pushed it back on and went to Ford to get it fixed, they couldn't help me because they had no techs employed that work on my year vehicle, they never told me it was a safety issue and sent me on my way to look for outside mechanic not a FORD specialist. I was driving and the airbag expl…
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The steering wheel came off in my hands. I pushed it back on and went to Ford to get it fixed, they couldn't help me because they had no techs employed that work on my year vehicle, they never told me it was a safety issue and sent me on my way to look for outside mechanic not a FORD specialist. I was driving and the airbag exploded while I was backing up. It caused me injury and could have caused an accident because there was no warning, it suddenly exploded with a loud noise, if this happened when I was on the highway it would have caused severe accident, luckily I was backing the car up when it happened. I didn't hit anything to cause the airbag to deploy. When the steering wheel came off in my hands it was when I was parked, it could have happened when I was driving causing severe injury to myself and those around me. I keep my vehicle maintained by FORD and the steering wheel was never touched or repaired. But when I bought the vehicle brand new from FORD it was missing the Sirius satellite radio it was advertised as coming with, when I brought it back to Ford the seller told me they take it out for import reasons and I could buy it from them for $150 plus installation. I don't know if they touched the steering wheel when they removed the Sirius radio parts. I have the Sirius button on my vehicle and it was advertised with 6 months free Sirius, but the dealership said it's common practice in Puerto Rico for them to remove it because of import fees. I'm the only owner of this vehicle and it was sold to me as brand new. The steering wheel gave me no warning it was about to come off in my hands, it was not loose, it had no play in it, I was parked in my driveway and had just gotten into the car when it came off in my hands. I have the car for inspection and need to alert people of this danger and get the vehicle steering wheel recalled to prevent severe injury to another person.
NHTSA ODI #11527085
180,000 miles · Jun 12, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mech…
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #11526597
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2023
Engine
Oil engine leak .. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning ..
NHTSA ODI #11526489
147,000 miles · May 15, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware…
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
NHTSA ODI #11522060
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.