NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Ford Escape Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Ford Escape has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 604 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford Escape, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Ford Escape owner complaints
Owners have filed 604 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape, describing incidents dated June 13, 2011 to October 18, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Fuel/Propulsion System 160 complaints
- Steering 140 complaints
- Engine 79 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 70 complaints
- Structure 68 complaints
- Power Train 66 complaints
Of the 604 complaints on file, 38 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 604 complaints, owners report 27 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11771888 · Filed
[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…
ODI #11768604 · Filed
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…
ODI #11767730 · Filed
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…
Owner-reported
2012 Ford Escape mileage at failure
410 of the 604 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Escape give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | Median 55,000 miles | Middle half 35,000–80,000 miles | Based on 73 complaints |
| Steering | Median 110,000 miles | Middle half 75,000–145,000 miles | Based on 99 complaints |
| Engine | Median 40,000 miles | Middle half 15,000–70,000 miles | Based on 72 complaints |
| Vehicle Speed Control | Median 40,000 miles | Middle half 20,000–50,000 miles | Based on 56 complaints |
| Structure | Median 60,000 miles | Middle half 40,000–90,000 miles | Based on 47 complaints |
| Power Train | Median 45,000 miles | Middle half 19,000–65,000 miles | Based on 55 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Ford Escape in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003: Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Closed February 28, 2014
- Defect Petition DP12-006: Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Closed February 21, 2013
Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and cause Fuel Leak
NHTSA #16V777000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported October 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 329,265 vehicles
Repair completion: 51.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 16S41 · Owners notified November 6, 2017 · Vehicles built February 26, 2009 – April 29, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions
NHTSA #15E045000 · Suspension — Front — Wheel Bearing · NHTSA notice
Reported June 3, 2015 · Timken Company
Potentially affected: 576 vehicles
Repair completion: 58.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified May 20, 2015
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Ford Escape model years
Check your 2012 Ford Escape VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Escape at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ford VIN