VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Escape fuel system problems

The 2012 Ford Escape has 163 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 21% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

163

Fuel System complaints

21%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2012 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 163 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape fuel system — 21% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Ford Escape fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 16V777000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.