Vehicles / Ford / Escape / 2012

2012 Ford Escape

603 federal complaints (798 component records) · 1 recall campaigns on file · 2 federal investigations · 41 service bulletins · 1 Canadian recall
See all 27 model years of the Ford Escape →
Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
AWD
EPA economy
20 city / 26 hwy
Federal complaints
603
Recall campaigns
1
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Fuel system
163
Steering
139
Engine & cooling
79
Speed control
70
Body & structure
68
Power train
66
Other
44
Electrical system
42
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 44 complaints01 years old: 52 complaints2 years old: 35 complaints3 years old: 52 complaints4 years old: 73 complaints5 years old: 59 complaints56 years old: 98 complaints7 years old: 49 complaints8 years old: 18 complaints9 years old: 29 complaints10 years old: 22 complaints1011 years old: 26 complaints12 years old: 18 complaints13 years old: 19 complaints14 years old: 7 complaints15 years old: 0 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 601 of 603 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 52 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 60 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 87 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 63 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 42 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 37 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 21 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 18 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 13 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 2 complaints200,000+ miles: 2 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 397 of 603 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Fuel system

163 complaint records1 fire report2 crash reports
"EVAPORATION SYSTEM LEAK OCCURRED AND FUEL TANK PIPE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR DID NOT START AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →

Steering

139 complaint records3 crash reports
"MADE A COMPLETE STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOST OF POWER STEERING. CAN'T DRIVE VEHICLE, CAN'T STEER IT...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

79 complaint records3 crash reports
"FROM A STOPPED POSITION THEN EXCELLING OR WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR WILL STALL. AND WRENCH WILL APPEAR...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE13003
opened Feb 2013
closed Feb 2014EngineElectronic 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...
DP12006
opened Oct 2012
closed Feb 2013EngineElectronic 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...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
16V777000Fuel System, GasolineFord 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...Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2016528
2016-10-25
Fuel System69,570On certain vehicles, the thickness of the port wall of the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may be below specification and could result in the supply port cracking.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 54601
Feb 2026
Electrical SystemFord 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.
SSM 53040
Oct 2024
Unknown Or OtherWhile 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.
SSM 52476
Apr 2024
EquipmentAll 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 vehicles owner during initial delivery.
SSM 51536
Apr 2023
StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle.
DOR-M3J3F-07
Jun 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingThese 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.
Show 36 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
DOR-M9J4S-07
Jun 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingThese 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.
SSM 47201
Mar 2018
EquipmentReplacing 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.
SSM 47080
Feb 2018
Equipment2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with SYNC or SYNC 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the Spotify app via AppLink. As of an update released on 1/15/2018 Spotify will no longer be supporting their AppLink integration.
SSM 47009
Jan 2018
EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE).
SSM 46295
Jan 2017
EngineTO HELP DIFFERENTIATE ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES, A NEW WHITE-COLORED FLUORESCENT ENGINE OIL DYE IS AVAILABLE. WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 303-00 HAS BEEN REVISED TO REFERENCE THE NEW WHITE-COLORED DYE.
SSM 46132
Oct 2016
Service BrakesSOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
SSM 46102
Sep 2016
Seat BeltsSome vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. This may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatbelt retracts at a high rate of speed.
SSM 46085
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns.
16-0066
Apr 2016
Electrical SystemSome 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen.
TSB160066
Apr 2016
EquipmentTouchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
16-0043
Mar 2016
Power Train6F35 TRANSMISSION - FLUID LEAK AT LEFT SIDE HALFSHAFT SEAL BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/14/2013 ISSUE Some 2009-2014 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2014 Fusion, 2010-2011 Milan, 2012-2014 Edge/Explorer, and 2013-2014 Taurus/MKT/MKZ vehicles built on or before 10/14/2013 and equipped...
44863
Jul 2015
VisibilityFORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN. *TA
15-0079
May 2015
Power TrainFORD 2009-2014 ESCAPE, 2010-2014 FUSION, 2012-2014 EDGE, EXPLORER, 2013-2014 TAURUS: LINCOLN 2013-2014 MKT,MKZ: MERCURY 2009- 2011 MARINER, 2010-2011 MILAN.
44986
Mar 2015
Steering2008-2012 FORD ESCAPE/MARINER: SERVICE INFORMATION INVOLVING THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WITH DTC B2278- STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED. *LJ
45006
Mar 2015
SteeringFORD 2008-2012 ESCAPE/MARINER: BULLETIN INFORMATION REGARDING STEERING CONTROL MODULE WITH DTC B2278, NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. *LJ
ASI-44707
Sep 2014
Electrical SystemFORD: AFTER POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON WITH SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P06B8, P068A, P2610, IF KEY NOT LEFT FOR 30 SECONDS IN OFF POSITION FOLLOWING PROGRAMMING ON SOME MODEL 2009-15 VEHICLES. *PE
TSB-14-0157
Aug 2014
EquipmentMERCURY/FORD: IN ONE OR MORE SPEED SETTINGS, ELECTRONIC MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL (EMTC) A/C SYSTEM IS WARM AND/OR LACK BLOWER MOTOR OPERATION IN SETTINGS DUE TO DAMAGED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CAUSED BY WATER ENTERING HEATER AND EVAPORATOR CORE HOUSING.
CSP-14N02
Aug 2014
Electrical SystemFORD/LINCOLN: THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE LOSS OF ABS SPEED SIGNAL RELATED COMMUNICATION THAT DISABLE OBDII SYSTEM MONITORS FOR PCM REPROGRAMMING. MODEL 2011-14 F-SUPER DUTY, ESCAPE, TAURUS, FUSION, MKT, MKZ. *PE
ASI-44649
Jul 2014
EquipmentFORD: A JOB AID WAS DEVELOPED AND NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PTU INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKAGE FOR ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. *PE
CSP-13B17
Jun 2014
EquipmentFORD: THE THROTTLE BODY INTERNAL MOTOR CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL, INTERMITTENT, CONNECTIVITY, CAUSING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) OR WRENCH LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED. MODEL 2009-2012 FUSION, MILAN, ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE UPDATED 11/18/14. *PE
CSP-13B16
May 2014
Electrical SystemLINCOLN/FORD: IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), THAT ALLOWS ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR (OSS) SIGNAL FAULTS, A SOFTWARE ERROR HAS OCCUR AND DISABLED ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) MONITORS WITH NO ILLUMINATION OF MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL).
TSB-14-0056
Mar 2014
Power TrainMERCURY/FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, THERE IS A FLUID LEAKAGE, COMING FROM LEFT HAND (LH) HALFSHAFT SEAL OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A SERVICE KIT IS AVAILABLE NOW, FOR REPAIR. MODEL 2009-2012 ESCAPE, MARINER, FUSION, MILAN. *PE
CSP-13N03
Mar 2014
Electrical SystemFORD: THROTTLE BODY WILL DEVELOP CONTAMINATION ON INTERNAL MOTOR CONTACTS RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTIVITY AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) OR WRENCH LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2009-2013 FUSION, MILAN, ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE UPDATED 5/7/14. *PE
ASI-44427
Mar 2014
Electrical SystemFORD: THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN 4X4 FUNCTION IS INOPERATIVE DUE TO ACTIVE TORQUE COUPLING SOLENOID COIL WIRING BEING BROKE, BUT A KIT IS AVAILABLE TO SERVICE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY/REAR DRIVE UNIT (RDU), AT LOWER LEVEL. MODEL 2008-2012 ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE
TSB-14-0016
Feb 2014
SteeringFORD/MERCURY: IF DIAGNOSTIC CODE B2278 IS STORED IN POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM), IT NEEDS REPLACING WITH TORQUE SENSOR SERVICE KIT THAT IS AVAILABLE AND IF NOT, DOES NOT APPLY. MODEL 2008-2012 ESCAPE, 2008-2011 MARINER. *PE
ASI-44363
Jan 2014
EngineFORD: WITHIN 20 SECONDS AFTER REMOTE STARTING VEHICLE, THERE IS A START STALL ISSUE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1594 IS SET IN BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). MODEL 2012-2014 FOCUS, 2013-2014 ESCAPE, C-MAX. *PE
ASI-32332
Nov 2013
Power TrainFORD: DUE TO AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF RPM OR LACK OF ACCELERATION, IN SOME VEHICLES, WITH ILLUMINATED WRENCH LIGHT, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P2111, P2112 MAY OR MAY NOT BE STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). MODELS 2009-12 ESCAPE, MARINER, FUSION, MILAN. *PE
SB-44300
Nov 2013
Power TrainFORD: ON THE LEFT HAND HALF SHAFT SEAL, THERE IS A FLUID LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF WEAR ON CASE BUSHING. MODEL 2009-2012 ESCAPE, 2009-2011 MARINER, 2010-2012 FUSION, 2010-2011 MILAN. *PE
TSB160043
Oct 2013
Power Train6F35 Transmission - Fluid leak at left side halfshaft seal - built on or before 10/14/2013
TSB-13-6-2
Jun 2013
SeatsMERCURY/FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLIES MAY SHOW RUST OR CORROSION AND MAY NEED TRACK ASSEMBLY CLEANED. MODEL 2009-2012 ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE
TSB-13-5-30
May 2013
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: THE SUN VISOR VANITY MIRROR DOOR, ON SOME VEHICLES, FAILS TO CLOSE OR IS LOOS AND CAUSES MIRROR LIGHT TO STAY ON. MODELS 2012-2013 MUSTANG, EXPLORER, F-150 AND 2012 ESCAPE. *PE
AS1-32241
May 2013
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: ON VARIOUS VEHICLES WITH MY TOUCH,AFTER ANY APIM PROGRAMMING, REPLACEMENT OR DISCONNECT FROM FRONT DISPLAY INTERFACE MODULE (FDIM), TOUCHSCREEN CALIBRATION MUST BE PERFORMED. MODEL YEARS 2011-2013. NO MODELS LISTED. *PE
SB-32167-70
Apr 2013
EngineFORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN ILLUMINATED MIL OR SAFETY STOP NOW MESSAGE, OR A NO START CONDITION OR POSSIBLE MISFIRE OR ROUGHNESS AT IDLING THROUGH 2000RPM OR A LACK OF ACCELERATION.
TSB-22353
May 2012
Exterior LightingFORD: DUE TO A POSSIBLE LEAK IN THE INTERNAL CHECK VALVE, THE RED BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATES WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1015, C0101C OR P1A1B WITH BRAKE PEDAL FEELING NO CHANGE. *PE
ASI-22285
Mar 2012
EngineFORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN: SOME VEHICLES EXHIBIT A COLD WEATHER PHENOMENON WHERE FLUID HAS EXPELLED OUT OF VENT ON REAR DRIVE UNITS (RDU) AND FLUID, ON OCCASION, WOULD BURP OUT. *PE
ASI-22173
Jan 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING VCT) SOLENOID MOVEMENT MAY BE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED DUE TO DEBRIS IN ENGINE OIL THAT IS CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *PE

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
  2. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford Escape →