2012 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape, most often about steering. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 152
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 5
Fires: 0
Injuries: 5
Median mileage: 114,000 mi

Key facts

Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 77 of 152 complaints (51%).
Body & Structure (23) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (16) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 114,000 mi.
Owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries.
The 2012 Ford Escape has 1 recall on file.
NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 15th of 22 Ford Escape model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 52% fewer complaints than the 2011 model year (318).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Steering	76
Structure:body	15
Unknown or other	10
Fuel/propulsion system	8
Engine	8
Power train	8
Fuel system, gasoline	7
Electrical system	6

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Ford Escape complaints that list mileage.

2012 Ford Escape recalls (1)

Recall 16V777000Oct 26, 2016329,265 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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 defect investigations

PE13003Opened Feb 21, 2013Closed Feb 28, 2014
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
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 …
DP12006Opened Oct 2, 2012Closed Feb 21, 2013
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
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…

Recent 2012 Ford Escape complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 2, 202644,000 miTXCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsAcceleration & Cruise Control
The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving in a parking lot at approximately 18-20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck a fence and an apartment building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a cut above the nose, right shoulder pain, and a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and declared a total…
NHTSA complaint #11768604 · source
Filed Sep 29, 2026VAEngine
Check engine light having a single code P2111 occurring after reduction of power. Vehicle looses power at varying speeds including highway speeds. I have not had it professionally diagnosed. In the process of replacing the I A C. My research indicates that the NHTSA is in the process of investigating complaints of this component malfunctioning across several Ford model vehicles. The abrupt loss of forward momentum is a serious hazard to myself, passengers and vehicles behind…
NHTSA complaint #11767730 · source
Filed Sep 29, 2026KSSteering
The power steering failed unexpectedly. I am not sure what the problem is but there is fluid all over the wheel well. I see that the was a recal on the power steering. How can I find out why my car was not included?
NHTSA complaint #11767723 · source
Filed Sep 26, 2026CASteering
I started the truck and began to back out of my parking spot but the steering was so stiff I couldn't turn so I shut it off. After about 3 minutes I stated it up and the steering was fine. The. It happened the next day while I was driving and that was terrifying!!! It became extremely difficult to steer so I found the strength to turn and park. After turning the truck off and on it was fine.. Now the truck is in my driveway and the steering so stiff that I'll have to leave…
NHTSA complaint #11767066 · source
Filed Sep 19, 2026AZBody & Structure
Sun roof is leaking into the passenger compartment. Car was typically parked under cover and not driven in inclement wether. Drain hose was found not to be clogged however water is leaking into the passenger compartment. Staining the headliner seats and collecting on the floors. The date is the most recent occurrence. The water falls into the vehicle and can short or cause fire to occur on the instrument panel, radio, shift mechanism, or HVAC control. This issue is…
NHTSA complaint #11765501 · source
Filed Apr 30, 2026FLElectrical SystemSteering
Vehicle: 2012 Ford Escape Issue: Loss of steering assist while driving While operating my vehicle, the power steering assist suddenly fails, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. This creates a dangerous driving condition and significantly increases the risk of an accident. This issue appears to match known problems with the electric power steering system in this vehicle, which has been the subject of recalls for similar model years. However, my VIN is not…
NHTSA complaint #11734932 · source
Filed Mar 24, 2026MOSteering
I was driving approximately 35mph and the steering got extremely difficult. I had to use all my strength to try to turn the wheel. I pulled into a gas station parking lot, turned the car off, restarted the car and steering was back to normal. Has happened 2 times since. I had a mechanic friend look at it and he couldn't find a reason why it would do that.
NHTSA complaint #11726745 · source
Filed Jan 28, 2026153,000 miPAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #11713853 · source

Compare the 2012 Ford Escape with another vehicle →

Other 2012 Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology