2012 FORD ESCAPE Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape. This model year has 596 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Fuel/Propulsion System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Ford Escape Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Considering a 2012 Ford Escape?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford Escape. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 137 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 135 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 78 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 69 | 7 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 67 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 66 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 44 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 41 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 24 | 19 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 22 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 19 | 4 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 596 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
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 …
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 …
Clearly the vehicle is leaking and is a fire hazard. I received a notice that it has been recalled but it’s not showing up under my vin.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact used force to turn the steering wheel while driving to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic,…
Took my mothers car to the Ford dealership for inspection. Upon inspection the mechanic told us that the subframe is rotted out and that it is not safe to drive which is why there was issues with steering and tire leaning due to control arm coming off subframe. This vehicle has b…
Driving at normal rate of speed, Power steering quits and almost lost control of vehicle. I had to struggle with steering to park vehicle away from traffic. Steering wheel becomes very stiff.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon driving into the garage, the steering wheel was significantly loose. The steering wheel then detached but was held together by the electrical wires. There was no warning light illuminated. A mobile mechanic diagnos…
In other year models the power steering sensor has been under recall. I have a 2012 ford escape. That randomly the power steering does out this part has been replaced twice with no ultimately fixing the issue. It’s so dangerous when your driving 75 on the highway and the power st…
Was driving approximately 35mph and the steering got extremely difficult. Was able to get car safely off street. Turned car off, restarted car and steering was back to normal. Haven’t had problem since this one time. Called local dealer about electric steering and was told it was…
Gas tank leaking fuel around the joint where the fuel filler hose connects to the tank. It is NOT leaking at the hose connection but is leaking where the fitting connects/enters the tank.
It just started leaking fuel about a month ago and never stops
I have had a multitude of issues regarding the steering and suspension of my 2012 ford escape limited. I have replaced the same parts multiple times over a short period of time. And the parts normally would not be replaced but once in a car lifetime such as control arms 4x 3x on …
My 2012 Ford Escape has a critical HVAC defect that impairs defrost performance and poses a serious safety risk. Specifically, the desiccant bag within the A/C system’s dryer appears to break down over time, releasing particles into the system. This causes clogging and malfunctio…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left or right turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal whining sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitate.…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed around a roundabout, the vehicle independently veered toward the right before the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local inde…
RE: Subject: Urgent Concern Regarding Power Steering Failure - 2012 Ford Escape (VIN: [XXX] ) I am writing to express my urgent concern regarding a significant and recurring power steering failure in my 2012 Ford Escape, which I have owned for thirteen years. I have been experie…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle would only start af…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle became difficult to turn to the left or right. The contact stated that as a temporary repair, the vehicle was restarted. No warning light…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was attempting to straighten the steering wheel and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Ford Escape.
Recalls for 2012 Ford Escape
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Ford Escape — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Ford Escape reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Ford Escape has 596 NHTSA owner complaints, 37 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Fuel/Propulsion System (137 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Escape?▾
#1: Fuel/Propulsion System (137 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (135 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (78 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Ford Escape?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Ford Escape?▾
The 2012 Ford Escape has 37 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 596 total NHTSA complaints. 26 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Ford Escape. The largest issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Ford Escape?▾
The 2012 Ford Escape has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Fuel/Propulsion System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Ford Escape
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.