2012 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (130) · Fuel/Propulsion System (113) · Vehicle Speed Control (68)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
413 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2016-10-26 · campaign 16V777000 · 329,265 vehicles
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
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.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (42)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 2020-06-03 · DOR-M9J4S-07 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
these skus are exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of carb certification. these skus can no longer be sold as they do not meet carb standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 2020-06-03 · DOR-M3J3F-07 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
these skus are exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of carb certification. these skus can no longer be sold as they do not meet carb standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Showing the 6 most recent of 42 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-18 · Steering“[xxx]. we were pulling away from the gas pump with our children and the steering wheel suddenly stiffened on my husband and we almost hit another car! there was absolutely no warning and it was a scary experience. this should be fixed and it known issue. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-10-02 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 44,000 mi · 💥 crash“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, a…”
2026-09-29 · Steering“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?…”
2026-09-29 · Engine“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…”
2026-09-26 · Steering“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. aft…”
2026-09-19 · Structure:body“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 vehi…”
2026-05-22 · Steering“no power steering hard to turn left and right…”
2026-04-30 · Steering“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 ele…”
2026-03-24 · Steering“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 …”
2026-01-28 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 153,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.