2012 Ford ESCAPE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10439402 · 2011-12-12 (December 12, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF SENSOR ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10439402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443581 · 2012-01-12 (January 12, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES AND A CRACKED STERNUM. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449214 · 2012-02-24 (February 24, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 03/16/12*LJ UPDATED 05/03/12
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10450049 · 2012-03-02 (March 2, 2012)
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 2/29/2012. I PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY (3/1/2012). I WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION OFF, WHILE TALKING ON THE PHONE. THE CAR SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE OFF AND STATIONARY. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 35-40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SUDDENLY, THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED, AND GLASS WAS DISTRIBUTED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE THROWING OR SHOOTING A PROJECTILE AT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452483 · 2012-03-21 (March 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG, SEAT BELT AND SEAT FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,595 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453417 · 2012-03-29 (March 29, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50MPH, GET A LOUD THUD, THUD, SOUND. ALONG WITH A CHANGE IN INTERIOR PRESSURE, OR REAR WHEEL PROBLEM. SLIGHT VIBRATION NOTICED. SOUND RELLY HURTS EARS HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED BELOW 50 MPH. DEALER HAS FAILED TO MAKE AN IN DEPTH INSPECTION OR TEST DRIVE SUV. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS INDICATED THIS IS WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS (MORE OR LESS). CURRENTLY PAYING FOR A SO CALLED TOP RTAED FORD PRODUCT. BUT I CAN NOT ENJOY THE FULL CAPACITY OF IT. MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF BUYING A FORD PRODUCT.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453417 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V777000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-10-26 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗