VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Escape problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Ford Escape sits mid-pack among Escape years: 792 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 1,257, with 2 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 32 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (163), steering (137), and engine (78), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. Its NCAP crash-test rating is 3 of 5 stars overall.

792

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

57

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

32

Injuries

0

Deaths

3

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Escape years?

Escape NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted3,670 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 1,389 complaints2002: 1,397 complaints2003: 736 complaints2004: 715 complaints2005: 2,030 complaints2006: 627 complaints2007: 350 complaints2008: 2,404 complaints2009: 2,348 complaints2010: 3,182 complaints2011: 1,871 complaints2012: 792 complaints2013: 3,670 complaints2014: 2,650 complaints2015: 1,285 complaints2016: 1,258 complaints2017: 3,207 complaints2018: 2,097 complaints2019: 708 complaints2020: 2,025 complaints2021: 428 complaints2022: 298 complaints2023: 149 complaints2024: 136 complaints2025: 32 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Escape NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Escape years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford Escape problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System16321%
Steering13717%
Engine7810%
Speed Control699%
Body & Structure678%
Transmission668%
Electrical System506%
Other456%
Airbags243%
Brakes233%
Visibility & Wipers203%
Seat Belts192%
Suspension122%
Latches & Locks81%
Seats51%
Tires & Wheels30%
Lighting20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2012 Ford Escape have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V777000Fuel SystemOctober 26, 2016 · 329,265 units

Defect

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.

15E045000SuspensionJune 3, 2015 · 576 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL OF MY FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND WENT THRU THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. I HAD BEEN PAYING A YEAR FOR THIS AUTO AND NOW HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER. I CALLED FORD AFTER THE FIRE TO COMPLAIN AND THAT'S WHEN I LEARNED OF THE RECALL. I LOST MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 5, 2016 · fire

“JUST AFTER LEAVING A 4 WAY STOP, AS I TRIED TO ROUND THE CURVE THE STEERING IN OUR 2012 ESCAPE STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I JUST KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. LUCKILY, I SLOWED DOWN WITH THE BRAKES BUT THE ESCAPE CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND DOWN A 50+…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 10, 2015 · crash

“4/29/15 FORD VIOLATED THEIR NEW CAR WARRANTY COVERAGE, BY REFUSING TO REPAIR, THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS FILED IN COMPLAINT 10713581 . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HELD HOSTAGE AT INVER GROVE FORD, AGREED TO REPAIR ALL ITEMS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLAINT #10713581 . AS A DISABLED VETERAN, WITH A SICK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 6, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 11, 2013 · crash

“THIS DOCUMENT IS IN RESPONSE TO A FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING MAY 16, 2014 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AT MY REQUEST I REQUESTED THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIATIVE AND PROBABLY HAS BEEN SINCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 16, 2014 · crash

2012 Ford Escape — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Escape reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 792 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Escape year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2012 Escape problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (163 complaints), steering (137 complaints), engine (78 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford Escape have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Ford Escape under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Escape years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escape years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2010, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2005, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among Escape years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2012 Ford Escape?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Ford Escape earned an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.