Home · 2012 · Ford
2012 Ford Escape Gas
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
598 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 18, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Fuel system problems dominate (27% of complaints, typically reported near 41k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#118 of 308Among the 2012 models with a matured record, the 2012 Ford Escape Gas ranks #118, scoring higher than 59% of them. See the 2012 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
3/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x4
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 20%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Ford Escape Gas, plotted where owners report it happening.
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Fuel system
27%160 complaints · typically near 41k mi · 5 in the last 2 years
“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.”
Steering
23%137 complaints · typically near 90k mi · 22 in the last 2 years
“No power steering hard to turn left and right”
Engine
12%72 complaints · typically near 8k mi
“Oil engine leak .. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning ..”
Speed control
12%69 complaints · typically near 4k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“I recently purchased a 2012 ford escape, and the engine runs loud, and after researching, I feel that the throttle body is not in working condition. I looked up recall…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 6 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 598 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 40 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 16V777000
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 · 15E045000
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Ford before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Escape Gas. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report fuel system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 41k miles). Has this car shown any fuel system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report steering problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 90k miles). Has this car shown any steering symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Ford ESCAPE GAS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Escape Gas model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Ford Escape Gas against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.