2012 Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
598 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 413 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 137 of 598 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 143 | 23.9% |
| Engine operation | 64 | 10.7% |
| Braking behavior | 49 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 22 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 137 |
| Steering | 136 |
| Engine | 72 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 69 |
| Power Train | 63 |
| Structure:Body | 55 |
| Unknown Or Other | 44 |
| Electrical System | 39 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 137; Steering: 136; Engine: 72; Vehicle Speed Control: 69; Power Train: 63; Structure:Body: 55; Unknown Or Other: 44; Electrical System: 39
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 80 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 88 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 98 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 53 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 67 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 80; 25,000 to 49,999: 88; 50,000 to 74,999: 98; 75,000 to 99,999: 53; 100,000 to 149,999: 67; 150,000 and above: 27
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (98). 185 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 51 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 119 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2011: 2; 2012: 22; 2013: 51; 2014: 45; 2015: 43; 2016: 47; 2017: 71; 2018: 119; 2019: 51; 2020: 19; 2021: 37; 2022: 20; 2023: 26; 2024: 19; 2025: 21; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 143 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 64 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10434868 · 2011-11-08 (November 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT BECMAE EXTREMELY DIFFICUTL FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 235. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 235 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457154 · 2012-05-02 (May 2, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 468.
Owner-reported narrative. 468 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479959 · 2012-10-12 (October 12, 2012)
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 AM - (ABOUT 1 MILE INTO THE DRIVE) - WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN UP A HILL THE VEHICLE STALLED - THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON - I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON AND RESTARTED AND DROVE BACK HOME - I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP - AFTER RUNNING TEST AND DRIVING IT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10485356 · 2012-11-20 (November 20, 2012)
VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC ON BUSY INTERSTATE (I-635E) DALLAS, TX ON SUNDAY 11/18 AT APPROX 11 AM. VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN 10-15 MILES WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. TACHOMETER SHOWED 1000 RPM AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO NEXT OFF-RAMP THOUGH INTERSTATE WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE BARRIERS DENIED ACCESS TO SHOULDER. AFTER COASTING TO OFF-RAMP I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE EMISSIONS INDICATOR WAS LIT AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED AND TRIED TO PROCEED. THE ENGINE LURCHED AND STALLED AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 42,933 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462911 · 2012-06-24 (June 24, 2012)
VEHICLE WAS BEING PREPARED TO BACK OUT OF LEVEL GARAGE ONTO DRIVEWAY WITH MILD DOWNHILL SLOPE. VEHICLE WAS STARTED, EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PLACED IN REVERSE, DRIVER'S FOOT ENGAGED BRAKE. DRIVER REALIZED WALLET WITH DRIVER'S LICENSE WAS LEFT INSIDE HOUSE. TRANSMISSION PLACED IN PARK, DRIVER REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND EXITED VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOT NOTED TO BE MOVING WHEN DRIVER EXITED. DRIVER ENTERED HOUSE THROUGH GARAGE ENTRY, RETRIEVED WALLET. WHEN GARAGE WAS RE-ENTERED VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE ONTO DRIVEWAY…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466441 · 2012-07-18 (July 18, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472691 · 2012-08-27 (August 27, 2012)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55-60 AND THEN COASTING COMING TO A STOP, ONCE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION HITS AROUND 35-40...VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD...CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR...I'VE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE BEHAVE LIKE THIS AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER THAT NORMAL.. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500045 · 2013-02-25 (February 25, 2013)
AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STALLED - THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON - I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND RESTARTED - I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT VERIFY THE CONCERN - THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522479 · 2013-06-30 (June 30, 2013)
AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 AM WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN UP AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE STALLED - THE OIL AND BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON - I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND RESTARTED - I LATER TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED THE FORD TECHNICAL HOTLINE AND ARE AWAITING A RESPONSE - THIS IS THE 3RD STALLING INCIDENT THE SECOND AT THE SAME LOCATION AND THE 1ST AFTER THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY - THE VEHICLE HAS AROUND 11,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944149 · 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER HELD THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IT DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS RE-ENGINEERING THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RELEASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956062 · 2017-02-21 (February 21, 2017)
FUEL IS LEAKING AT ALL POINTS CLAMPED TO BODY. FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT AT EVERY POINT THAT WAS CLAMPED TO BODY FROM ENGINE TO FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HARSH CONDITIONS. FUEL LINES NOT RUSTED OUTSIDE OF CLAMPS.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956062 at NHTSA ↗