Home · 2012 Ford Escape Gas · Complaints

What 598 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (598)Crash / fire / injury (40)Fuel system (160)Steering (137)Engine (72)Speed control (69)Body & structure (67)Transmission & drivetrain (66)Electrical system (42)Airbags (24)Brakes (20)Visibility & wipers (20)

72 of 598 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Aug 9, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH ENGINE TENSIONER PULLEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10894294

Jun 22, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT STARTED MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND VIBRATING A LOT. CHECKED LUG NUTS AND FOUND ALL TIGHT. GOT UNDER VEHICLE AND FOUND THE RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT HAD COME APART. HAVE NEVER HAD ONE FAIL SUDDENLY LIKE THIS. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE FOUND ONE OF THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD BACKED ALL THE WAY OUT, A SECOND ONE HAD BACKED OUT A LITTLE AND BROKE, THE THIRD REMAINED TIGHT BUT HAD SHEARED OFF. THIS ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO DROP DROP AND DESTROYED THE DRIVE SHAFT. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2012. BOLTS HAVE NEVER BEEN LOOSENED DURING THIS TIME. DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THEY WOULD COME LOOSE. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 85000.

NHTSA ODI 10875846

Apr 27, 2016Electrical systemSeat beltsEngine

ESCAPE HAS SEVERAL ISSUES, FORD DEALER WOULD REVIEW AND REPORT NO ISSUES FOUND. I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE NEW IN JULY 2012. 1.FRONT SEAT BELTS - WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (JAN-FEB 2013 - MILEAGE 5,000ISH) THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT 90% OF THE TIME, CAUSING THEM TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND/OR KEEP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. 2.TRANSMISSION ISSUES (NOV 2015 - MILEAGE 50,000ISH ) IT SHIFTS BADLY, SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF ITS IN-BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOUR BREAKING OR ACCELERATING. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE PEDDLE AND REAPPLY, IT'LL REENGAGE BUT AT TIMES WILL LURCH AGAIN. 3. ELECTRICAL ISSUES - JAN 2016 -(MILEAGE 65,000ISH) THE DOME LIGHT WON'T GO OUT, HAD TO PULL THE FUSE LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE UNOBSTRUCTED. 4.(4/18/16 - MILEAGE 73,000ISH) REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BASED ON WHAT FIND ON LINE AND HERE. IN THE PAST I DID NOTICE WATER 'DRIPS' ON MY BACK WINDOW, I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE 'LEAK' WAS, AGAIN DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEM FOUND, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS POOLED WATER THAT FOUND ITS WAY IN WHEN I HAD OPENED UP THE REAR WINDOW/DOOR. BUT BASED ON WHAT I SEE ON LINE AND HERE THE REAR DOOR NOT OPENING IS DUE TO THE 'WATER DRIP/LEAK' ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE REAR WINDOW GASKET ISN'T CORRECT THICKNESS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. BACK DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IS A SAFETY CONCERN, ALL DOORS SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. 5. SAME DATE AS 4,DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING WHEN YOU PUT SUV INTO GEAR. 6. APRIL 26, 2016 ' PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY ' NO INCLINE WHAT SO EVER ' WARNING LIGHT FOR STEEP GRADE LIGHT CAME ON. 6. TRUCK WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO A DIFFERENT FORD DEALER SHIP, FOR ALL THE ABOVE ISSUES, I DON'T CARE TO RETURN TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT, SINCE THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY DISMISSIVE DESPITE ME PROVIDING REPORTS FROM THIS WEBSITE TO THEM ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES I CAME IN WITH.

NHTSA ODI 10861645

Apr 17, 2016Speed controlEngine

ENGINE...SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN STATIONARY. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD NOT FIND THIS AFTER I DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND FOR AWHILE; DUE TO BEING IN THE GARAGE AND MOISTURE. SEED CONTROL...SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60- 65 MPH. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, SENT A MECHANIC OUT TO RIDE WITH ME IN THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAD HAPPENED I WAS ADVISED TO COME BACK AGAIN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I SAID I FELT UNSAFE AND FELT AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ME DRIVE ANOTHER "SAME" VEHICLE AND IT WAS JUST AS LOUD AT IDLE AND SEEMED NO BETTER. I LEFT IN MY VEHICLE UNSURE OF IT'S SAFETY AND PRAYED A LOT. I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH ANYWAY BUT LIMIT TRIPS NOW. I WANT TO BE SAFE. I WANT A SAFE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10859939

Apr 12, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WHILE CRUISING AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 25 TO 55 MPH, CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, WITH RPMS DECREASING TO 1200-1500. DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT FOR 3-5 SECONDS, WHEN THE CAR WILL ACT NORMALLY. A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS NOTED AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN ACCELERATING UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE FROM A STOP OR WHEN APPLYING FULL POWER TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE CAR CANNOT BE RELIED UPON TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ISOLATED TO ANY SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL OR OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE DURING THE FIRST 5,000 MILES, BUT CONTINUES LESS FREQUENTLY (VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES NOW). DEALER TECHNICIANS ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAULTS.

NHTSA ODI 10855160

Dec 2, 2015Engine

SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AT IDLE WITH CAR IN DRIVE. ENGINE RPMS APPEAR TO BE TOO LOW WITH LOAD ON ENGINE. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, SO IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.

NHTSA ODI 10808102

Sep 29, 2015Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND VEERING TO THE LEFT, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,782. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 10778526

Jun 25, 2015Speed controlEngineFuel system

FROM A STOPPED POSITION THEN EXCELLING OR WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR WILL STALL. AND WRENCH WILL APPEAR.

NHTSA ODI 10730366

May 29, 2015Engine

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP AND STALLED, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT, I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND THE RPM WAS AT 0 AND THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER THE CAR HAD NO POWER I SOMEHOW WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TO THE HOOD OF THE ROAD. AT THAT TIME I TURNED THE KEY AND REMOVED IT FROM THE IGNITION WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND I PULLED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. I ALSO HAVE A CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO ME BY THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT WAS TO BE REFERENCED WHEN I WAS INFORMED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO BE LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ODI 10722274

May 15, 2015Speed controlEngine

THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE FIRST NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON VALENTINE'S DAY BECAUSE OF MY CAR. I WAS ON A RAMP ABOUT TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. THE HIGHWAY SPEED IS 75MPH AND IT WAS BUSY. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY BUT MY CAR JUST STOOD THERE FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS BEFORE IT FINALLY REGISTERED (THAT I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL) AND SPED UP REALLY FAST. THIS CAUSED ME TO CUT OFF THE DRIVER ON THE INSIDE LANE BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T SPEED UP AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I DRIVE TO WORK EVERYDAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 4 TIMES A WEEK. THE OTHER PROBLEM, WHICH I TRIED TO DISMISS AS MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED LAST YEAR WITH ONLY 3900 MILES ON IT, IS WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN ABOUT 30-35 MPH, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO STALL ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, SORT OF LIKE WHEN SPEEDING UP AND SUDDENLY LET GO OF THE GAS, AS IF THERE'S NO POWER IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 10716757

Apr 29, 2015Equipment Adaptive/mobilityElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

4/29/15 FORD VIOLATED THEIR NEW CAR WARRANTY COVERAGE, BY REFUSING TO REPAIR, THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS FILED IN COMPLAINT 10713581 . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HELD HOSTAGE AT INVER GROVE FORD, AGREED TO REPAIR ALL ITEMS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLAINT #10713581 . AS A DISABLED VETERAN, WITH A SICK SERVICE DOG, I HAVE NO ACCESS OR ABILITY TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10713594

Mar 10, 2015Electrical systemEngine

SO FAR.. 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR HAS STRONGLY SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED! I WAS ALMOST HIT TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO RE-START MY CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED IT CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS AN EPIC SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED/ADDRESSED ASAP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10693207

Feb 6, 2015EngineCrash

THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE CAR WASH. ON THE WAY TO THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPING FORWARD WHILE HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. DRIVER CONTINUED ON TO THE CAR WASH. AS HE WAS PULLING FORWARD AT THE CAR WASH(VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE), THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AGAIN AND WHEN DRIVER PUSHED ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK ON IT'S OWN AND CRUSHED A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10681819

Dec 21, 2014Electrical systemEngine

ENGINE DIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10667497

Oct 20, 2014Speed controlEngineFuel system

MY CAR DECELERATED RAPIDLY AND WAS UNRESPONSIVE WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR BEHAVED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO SHUT DOWN. THE "WRENCH" INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). I TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAR WAS RESPONDING TO THE GAS PEDAL. I STILL FELT THAT THE CAR WAS "DRAGGING". I THINK IT IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10648835

Oct 20, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

CAR MAKES A JUMP WHEN ACCELERATING WAS TOLD THERE IS A EXTENDED COVERAGE ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT ITS POSSIBLY THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE JOLT, BUT FORD WILL NOT FIX UNDER THE EXTENDED COVERAGE RECALL UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10648896

Sep 25, 2014EngineFuel system

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING RUMBLING NOISES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE AS IF WERE TRYING TO SHUT OFF, I TRIED TO GIVE IT SOME GAS SO IT WOULDN'T STALL BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL NOTHING HAPPENED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR SURGES OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I CONTACTED MIKE DAVIDSON FORD WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY ACTED AS IF THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT AND TRIED TO SCHEDULE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT $89 TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THAT'S CRIMINAL, THIS CAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED QUICKLY AND AT THEIR EXPENSE! IF THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON THE INTERSTATE IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638996

Sep 18, 2014Speed controlEngine

LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. AND AT TIMES WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING. HAVE GIVEN THE CAR GAS TO ACCELERATE AROUND A CAR ONLY FOR THE ENGINE TO BOG DOWN HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN MANY TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP. THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING. HAVE GOTTEN FORD INVOLVED BUT STILL RECEIVE NO SATISFACTION. AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10637292

Aug 3, 2014Speed controlEngine

DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KENTUCKY, LATE MORNING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, I SAW THAT CARS WERE BRAKING SO I TAPPED ON THE BRAKE TO RELEASE THE CRUISE. MY CAR'S IGNITION SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10618493

Jun 23, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT THROWN. ALSO FOUND AND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT COVER VIA A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE COVER. CORRECTION: REPLACED FRONT COVER AND VBELT. ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT THAT WAS STRIPPED OUT. VERIFIED REPAIR. BATTERY LIGHT IS OFF AND NO OIL LEAKS AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605215

Jun 23, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: VERIFY CUST CONCERN, FIND THAT VEH SPINS OVER BUT WILL NOT START, INSTALL IDS & PERFORMED KOEO, ALL PASS. PERFORM RELATIVE COMPRESSION TEST, 80% LOSS 3,4. CORRECTION: PERFORM MANUAL COMPRESSION TEST. CYL 1-180, 2-175, 3-0, 4-0. PERFORM LEAKDOWN & PRESSURE TEST, FIND THAT INTAKE VALVES IN 3 & 4 ARE NOT SEALING. REMOVE VALVE COVER & INSPECT CAMSHAFTS, NO DAMAGE FOUND. SPIN VEHICLE OVER & VERIFY TIMING. FIND THAT CRANK PULLEY HAS BRACKET OUT & VEHICLE HAS JUMPED TIME. 51-1: REMOVE INTAKE, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, TIMING COMPONENTS & CYL HEAD. INSPECT AND FINDS THAT VALVES IN 3,4 HAVE CONTACTED PISTONS, NO DAMAGE FOUND ON PISTONS. INSTALL NEW HEAD GASKET, CYL HEAD BOLTS, 2 NEW DIAMOND WASHERS, ALL RELATED GASKETS & PERFORM TIMING PROCEDURE. ASSEMBLE VEHICLE, CHANGE OIL & FILL FL. 52-2 KOEO, PASS. ROER VEHICLE HAS DTC PO524. PERFORM PINPOINT TEST, REPLACE VCT SOLENOID, KOER ALL PASS. TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE RUNS PROPERLY AT THIS TIME. 51-5: CYLINDER HEAD GASKET- LEAKAGE (EXTERNAL LEAKS)- TEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605232

Jun 23, 2014Engine

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: CUSTOMER STATES DRIVE BELT COMING APART. CAUSE: WARRANTY CORRECTION: VERIFY BELT SHREDDED. FOUND WATER PUMP LOCKED UP UNABLE TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM TENSIONER REPLACE WATER PUMP TENSIONER BELT. TEST DRIVE OK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605304

Jun 23, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 52*: TECH NOTES CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER IS LEAKING. CAUSE: VERIFY CONCERN, FIND THAT VEHICLE HAS CLUTCH FLUID LEAKING FROM INSIDE BELL HOUSING AREA. CORRECTION: REMOVE TRANS & INSPECT, FIND THAT SLAVE CYL IS SEEPING FLUID. INSTALL NEW SLAVE CYL & ADAPTER. ASSEMBLE VEHICLE, NO LEAKS FOUND INSIDE BELL HOUSING, BUT CLUTCH LIVE FROM MASTER CYL TO SLAVE CYL WILL NOT SEAL PROPERLY. INSTALL LINE, BLEED SYSTEM & RETEST, ALL PASS. 52-3: MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLAVE CYLINDER- HYDRAULIC CLUTCH - REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605309

May 29, 2014EngineFuel system

WHEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A DEAD STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE AUTOMOBILE ENGINE HESITATES OR SEMI STALLS AND WILL NOT PICK UP NORMAL SPEED IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF APPROACHING,ON COMING AND FOLLOWING VEHICLES. AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY VEHICLES BEHIND US, OR HIT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE'S HESITATION WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS OR MAJOR HIGHWAYS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT "NO PROBLEM" WAS FOUND, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I GUESS WHEN A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS SOMETHING WILL BE DONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10594912

Mar 25, 2014Engine

HAD TO HAVE ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE HEAVILY SHAKING. ALSO WINDSHIELD WAS REMOUNTED AT SAME TIME TO DUE LOUD NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10574741

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Working with the data? Download all 598 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford Escape Gas verdict →