Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Ford Escape has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 604 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 4 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16V777000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and cause Fuel Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 140 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 137 complaints
- Engine 73 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Ford Escape has a below-average reliability outlook due to significant owner complaints, especially involving steering and fuel systems, and two recalls. The large number of steering complaints suggests a notable issue, while fuel system recalls further underscore concerns. The data implies certain frequent failure areas, yet some complaints remain broadly categorized, providing limited specific guidance.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| fuel pump | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| engine | 70,000–110,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Loss of steering control
- Fuel odor or leak
- Engine overheating
- Unusual engine noises
- Frequent stalling
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.