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Vehicle safety record

2012 Ford Escape Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 604 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (160) and the steering (140). Those complaints describe 38 crashes, 3 fires and 27 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2016 for the fuel pump. For comparison, the 2011 has 1,321 and the 2013 has 2,757.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Escape year, for its age

#21 most complained-about 2012 vehicle

Complaints
604
Recalls
2
Crashes
38
Fires
3
Injuries
27
Deaths
0

Most common 2012 Ford Escape problems

Share of all 604 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2012 Ford Escape recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Fuel system: fuel pump

16V777000329,265 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Suspension: wheel bearing

15E045000576 vehicles affected

The problem
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
The risk
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

What owners say

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604 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 25.

Steering

[[redacted]]. We were pulling away from the gas pump with our children and the steering wheel suddenly stiffened on my husband and we almost hit another car! There was absolutely no warning and it was a scary experience. This should be fixed and it known issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11771888
AirbagsAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving in a parking lot at approximately 18-20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck a fence and an apartment building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a cut above the nose, right shoulder pain, and a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and declared a total loss. The failure mileage was 44,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11768604
Engine & cooling

Check engine light having a single code P2111 occurring after reduction of power. Vehicle looses power at varying speeds including highway speeds. I have not had it professionally diagnosed. In the process of replacing the I A C. My research indicates that the NHTSA is in the process of investigating complaints of this component malfunctioning across several Ford model vehicles. The abrupt loss of forward momentum is a serious hazard to myself, passengers and vehicles behind me. This has now occurred on about seven occasions since late September. I will no longer drive this vehicle until I replace and test drive the new I A C on or about October 1, 2026.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11767730
Steering

The power steering failed unexpectedly. I am not sure what the problem is but there is fluid all over the wheel well. I see that the was a recal on the power steering. How can I find out why my car was not included?

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11767723
Steering

I started the truck and began to back out of my parking spot but the steering was so stiff I couldn't turn so I shut it off. After about 3 minutes I stated it up and the steering was fine. The. It happened the next day while I was driving and that was terrifying!!! It became extremely difficult to steer so I found the strength to turn and park. After turning the truck off and on it was fine.. Now the truck is in my driveway and the steering so stiff that I'll have to leave it.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11767066
Body, doors & structure

Sun roof is leaking into the passenger compartment. Car was typically parked under cover and not driven in inclement wether. Drain hose was found not to be clogged however water is leaking into the passenger compartment. Staining the headliner seats and collecting on the floors. The date is the most recent occurrence. The water falls into the vehicle and can short or cause fire to occur on the instrument panel, radio, shift mechanism, or HVAC control. This issue is documented on Ford vehicles containing the same component. Across different vehicles and model years. I believe a recall or TSB should be included on this vehicle.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11765501
Steering

No power steering hard to turn left and right

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11739497
SteeringElectrical system

Vehicle: 2012 Ford Escape Issue: Loss of steering assist while driving While operating my vehicle, the power steering assist suddenly fails, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. This creates a dangerous driving condition and significantly increases the risk of an accident. This issue appears to match known problems with the electric power steering system in this vehicle, which has been the subject of recalls for similar model years. However, my VIN is not currently included. The failure has...

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occurred while driving and has now made the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am requesting investigation into this issue and expansion of the recall to include additional affected vehicles, as this is a serious safety hazard.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical systemNHTSA 11734932
Steering

I was driving approximately 35mph and the steering got extremely difficult. I had to use all my strength to try to turn the wheel. I pulled into a gas station parking lot, turned the car off, restarted the car and steering was back to normal. Has happened 2 times since. I had a mechanic friend look at it and he couldn't find a reason why it would do that.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11726745
Fuel system

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was a strong fuel-like odor entering the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11713853
Fuel system

Clearly the vehicle is leaking and is a fire hazard. I received a notice that it has been recalled but it's not showing up under my vin.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11709651
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact used force to turn the steering wheel while driving to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and retrieved DTC: B2278. The independent mechanic determined that the power steering control module and sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11696458
Suspension

Took my mothers car to the Ford dealership for inspection. Upon inspection the mechanic told us that the subframe is rotted out and that it is not safe to drive which is why there was issues with steering and tire leaning due to control arm coming off subframe. This vehicle has been taken care of through out the years. My 70 year old mother could have been seriously injured if not dead. Never have i seen a sub frame rot like that on a car unless it was sitting for many years. Now the dealership wants 3,000 dollars to replace sub frame.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11693844
Steering

Driving at normal rate of speed, Power steering quits and almost lost control of vehicle. I had to struggle with steering to park vehicle away from traffic. Steering wheel becomes very stiff.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11692723
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon driving into the garage, the steering wheel was significantly loose. The steering wheel then detached but was held together by the electrical wires. There was no warning light illuminated. A mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence. The mechanic determined that the upper steering column shaft had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11691843
Steering

In other year models the power steering sensor has been under recall. I have a 2012 ford escape. That randomly the power steering does out this part has been replaced twice with no ultimately fixing the issue. It's so dangerous when your driving 75 on the highway and the power steering goes out and the power heel jerks from your hands and you almost run off the road or run someone else off the road.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11690697
Steering

Was driving approximately 35mph and the steering got extremely difficult. Was able to get car safely off street. Turned car off, restarted car and steering was back to normal. Haven't had problem since this one time. Called local dealer about electric steering and was told it was not in previous recall group of vehicles.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11687207
Fuel system

It just started leaking fuel about a month ago and never stops

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11680146
Fuel system

Gas tank leaking fuel around the joint where the fuel filler hose connects to the tank. It is NOT leaking at the hose connection but is leaking where the fitting connects/enters the tank.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11680083
Suspension

I have had a multitude of issues regarding the steering and suspension of my 2012 ford escape limited. I have replaced the same parts multiple times over a short period of time. And the parts normally would not be replaced but once in a car lifetime such as control arms 4x 3x on passenger 1x on driver. But anyway this led to me finding out that my front passenger subframe is rotted. Which led me to a community chat about this vehicle where I found people that have had accidents been hurt and this is a common thing...

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to happen with this vehicle. The subframe should not rot especially on one side I'm particularly without a reason. There is a recall for some 2012 ford escapes for this part but for some reason my car is not on that recall. My car is now a danger to drive. The recall should include all vehicles that have the issue with that part. My vehicle is unsafe to drive now. Idk how long it's been like that. I've had part after part replaced because of this but no one had figured it out until my most recent mechanic. I have had my wheel fall off my vehicle while driving when my first control arm broke because the rot in the subframe is causing the rubber inside the control arm to wear fast. So when my control arm broke when I was driving luckily I was on a street rd not a highway I was not hurt but had to get it towed. My wheel dropped a second time while I was driving because of the same issue where the rot on the subframe is, is at the connection to the control arm where the rubber is. So there's 2 times I could've been seriously hurt. I drive on the highway a lot. I have been very lucky. There is cases of people being hurt and having accidents because of this. I'm on a chat about this vehicle where an overwhelming amount of owners have the same exact issue with this part.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11677192
Other & unknown

My 2012 Ford Escape has a critical HVAC defect that impairs defrost performance and poses a serious safety risk. Specifically, the desiccant bag within the A/C system's dryer appears to break down over time, releasing particles into the system. This causes clogging and malfunction of the thermal expansion valve (TXV) and other components, ultimately preventing the system from producing cold, dry air necessary to clear interior windshield fog and maintain visibility. This is not a maintenance issue or a...

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wear-and-tear problem. The desiccant bag is a sealed internal component, and its disintegration appears to be the result of a design or manufacturing defect. I have personally replaced key components (including the TXV and dryer) multiple times, yet the problem persists. Each time, the system works temporarily, then begins to fail again. Inspection of previously replaced components reveals no external cause of failure. In Florida's climate, where humidity is high and sudden rain is common, a functioning defroster is essential for safety. Without adequate cooling and dehumidification, the windshield fogs up quickly and cannot be cleared. This creates a serious and unpredictable visibility hazard during everyday driving, especially during morning commutes or in wet weather. Despite the apparent systemic nature of this problem and numerous online reports of similar issues in Ford Escape models of this era, Ford has not issued a recall or technical service bulletin. A recall should be considered due to the direct impact this issue has on driver visibility and safe vehicle operation.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11676575
SteeringAcceleration & cruise control

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left or right turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal whining sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11672913
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11671592
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around a roundabout, the vehicle independently veered toward the right before the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic steering column needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the part to perform the repair was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11667649
Steering

RE: Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding Power Steering Failure - 2012 Ford Escape (VIN: [[redacted]] ) I am writing to express my urgent concern regarding a significant and recurring power steering failure in my 2012 Ford Escape, which I have owned for thirteen years. I have been experiencing a complete loss of power steering while driving, creating extremely dangerous situations. This issue is not intermittent; it occurs frequently and without warning, making my vehicle difficult to control, particularly at lower...

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speeds. I am now unable to drive my beloved car, My research indicates that Ford issued a safety recall for similar power steering problems in several 2011-2013 Ford models, including the Taurus, Flex, Fusion, and others. The recall, as described on [[redacted]] , addressed "a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear that might result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving." This description perfectly matches the issues I am experiencing. Despite these known problems and the related recall, I did not receive any notification, and my 2012 Ford Escape was not included in the listed models. I am deeply concerned and puzzled by this omission, as the safety risk is identical. The loss of power steering has repeatedly placed me in potentially hazardous situations, and I fear for my safety and the safety of other drivers. I urgently request your assistance in resolving this matter. Specifically, I would like to: Determine why my 2012 Ford Escape was not included in the power steering recall, given the identical symptoms. Request an immediate inspection of my vehicle by a certified Ford technician to diagnose and repair the power steering issue. Inquire about any potential remedies, including financial assistance, for the repairs, considering the known recall and the safety risk involved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11656838

Ford Escape: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20161,19243910Transmission & drivetrainD
20151,14993120Transmission & drivetrainD
20142,0911647104Engine & coolingF
20132,757185091Engine & coolingF
20126042383Fuel systemC
20111,3213387SteeringD
20102,1305323Acceleration & cruise controlF
20091,6963342SteeringD
20082,4175727SteeringF
All Escape years

2012 Ford Escape vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2012 Ford Escape

Does the 2012 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Ford Escape: fuel pump (October 2016); wheel bearing (June 2015). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Escape?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (160), steering (140), engine & cooling (79).

How many complaints has the 2012 Ford Escape had?

604 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 8, 2011 and the latest on October 18, 2026. Of these, 38 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 27 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2012 Ford Escape a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 57 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Escape year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Ford Escape years have the most complaints?

2013 (2,757), 2017 (2,708), 2008 (2,417). See every Ford Escape year compared.

What should I do if my 2012 Ford Escape has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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