What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

7% of complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (137 complaints), typically at 9.2 yr or about 100,000 miles.

Complaints
788
Median age at failure
5.7 yr
Median mileage
52,200 n=556
Crash / fire / tow
9.3% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
137 reports · 100,000 mi
9.2 yr
6.6%
Fuel / propulsion
135 reports · 56,000 mi
5.8 yr
2.2%
Engine
71 reports · 40,000 mi
3.2 yr
5.6%
Speed control
68 reports · 42,000 mi
2.8 yr
10.3%
Structure
67 reports · 57,000 mi
5.2 yr
10.4%
Power train
66 reports · 41,000 mi
2.8 yr
4.5%
Other
44 reports · 50,000 mi
6.4 yr
4.5%
Electrical system
42 reports · 59,200 mi
5.5 yr
7.1%
Fuel system
26 reports · 54,206 mi
6.3 yr
0%
Air bags
24 reports · 42,983 mi
4.1 yr
83.3%
Seat belts
19 reports · 60,000 mi
7.2 yr
21.1%
Service brakes
18 reports · 92,000 mi
7.6 yr
11.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V777000 2016-10-26
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.

15E045000 2015-06-03
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.

In owners’ own words

Steering 235 mi 2 mo in service
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.
Steering 468 mi 7 mo in service
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.
Steering mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO BE RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF
Air bags 4,000 mi 2 mo in service
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.

Other Escape model years

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