2012 Ford Escape: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / ford / escape
known issues	7 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-04)
complaints	598 on file (2011-11-08 → 2026-05-22)
recalls	2
investigations	2
fars	173 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Subframe and frame rust corrosionSTRUCTURE18 complaints2019-07 → 2025-10escape-2012-subframe-rust-corrosion

11693844 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
11646554 My sub frame on the right-side front has rusted completely out and needs to be replaced to drive it safely
11470986 Unknown. Both rear wheel wells are rusting away. Chunks of this falls off while I’m driving

Fuel leak or odor from fuel tank and delivery moduleFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE19 complaints2019-07 → 2026-01escape-2012-fuel-tank-leak

11713853 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
11430749 The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the fuel delivery module had expanded and leaked fuel while refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel delivery system was faulty and needed to be replaced
11680083 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

Seat belt failure to latch or retract properlySEAT BELTS9 complaints2019-02 → 2021-08escape-2012-seat-belt-latch-failure

11415824 THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 20-35 MPH, WHEN HE CHOKED ON FOOD AND PASSED OUT, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE
11289348 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO LOCK AND SECURE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE
11181354 SEAT BELT FAILS TO REMAIN LATCHED

Loss of electric power steering assist while drivingSTEERING74 complaints2018-12 → 2026-05escape-2012-power-steering-loss

11739497 No power steering hard to turn left and right
11696458 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
11565895 Power steering failed on my 2012 Ford Escape multiple times, without warning, or any indication light. To fix it required the car to be turned off and on again, which is difficult if you are actively driving

Throttle body fault causing stalling or sudden accelerationVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM15 complaints2019-03 → 2024-08escape-2012-throttle-body-stall

11611368 The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly accelerated hitting a parking sign causing it to fall and hit another vehicle. Then the vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle
11278709 MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. I GOOGLED THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT IT IS PROBABLY THE ETB ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY
11230611 MY 2012 FORD ESACPE KEEPS STALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING AND FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I AM A 68 YEAR OLD WIDOW AND THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANPORTATION. IT HAS DONE THIS 5 TIMES IN LESS THEN A MONTH

Transmission failure and shifter malfunctionPOWER TRAIN11 complaints2019-04 → 2024-06escape-2012-transmission-shifter-failure

11463093 The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on an inclined road and turning the engine off the vehicle erroneously rolled down the hill and crashed into a tree
11469603 The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift from 2nd to 3rd without force. The contact also stated she had to depress the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to change gear
11197324 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

Loss of braking function and ABS warning lightsSERVICE BRAKES10 complaints2019-04 → 2023-11escape-2012-brake-failure

11554009 2012 Ford Escape-while driving the red triangle brake indicator warning light comes on as well as the check brake system indicator light, it beeps and the car feels like it doesn't want to stop at times
11463178 The caliber on our front wheel drive 2012, right wheel of the Escape overheated and locked up almost causing an accident. After taking it to be repaired (this time not a Ford dealer), the mechanic said the caliber got so hot that it melted the brake pad
11341195 WITHIN THE PAST 2 YRS THE ABS HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. VERY DANGEROUS AND TRAUMATIZING

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
598	2011-11-08	2026-05-22	37	3	STEERING:137; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:137; ENGINE:72; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:69; STRUCTURE:67

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
16V777000	26/10/2016	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	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.	A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.	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.
15E045000	03/06/2015	SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING	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.	Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
DP12006	closed	Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction	ENGINE	2012-10-02	2013-02-21	·	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
PE13003	closed	Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction	ENGINE	2013-02-21	2014-02-28	·	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

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	173	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Ford Escape vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/ford/escape

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_ford_escape_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Ford Escape},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/ford/escape}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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