What 598 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape Gas

On 2 different occasions now while I was driving my steering wheel has locked up and I could barley turn to get off the road. Once in the month of July and then again beginning of September. I don’t feel safe driving far distances for I have no idea if and when my wheel will lock up again, and if on a back or windy road there could be no way to get over or off the road causes and accident. My car is electrical and does not have liquid power steering and my steering torque sensor is not working correctly. My mechanic said the whole steering and frame needs to be replaced. I have done research and see. Other people with my make and year having the same issues. There was also already a recall out in for the same vehicle (Ford Escape) but the years 2008-2011, my car in one year ahead 2012 and has the same exact porblem. There was no warning of a problem it just all of a sudden locked up and I could hardly pull off the road.

NHTSA ODI 11492016

Passenger side front control arm mount has extreme rust that degrades the integrity of the front suspension. Many others report this same problem especially with the V6.

NHTSA ODI 11490269

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor detected around the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was concerned the vehicle might catch on fire. The approximate failure mileage was 24,400.

NHTSA ODI 11484845

The contact's friend owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated after parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle began to roll backwards. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11484174

Torque converter lock up issues from friction. Many issues and FORD will not repair assistance or recall. It about stalls on highway and acceleration into traffic. Many reports but not action. Been waiting on parts. Goes in shop 9/12/22 for $1,800 repair

NHTSA ODI 11479896

July 2020, we purchased 4 Cooper Tires, size is 225/65 R17 102T. These tires are 80,000-mile tires. Vehicle was taken into Discount Tire due to heavy vibration when driving on June 13, 2022. The tires had 13,663 miles on them. A tire was found to be separated. Discount Tire changed it out with a new tire. On Aug 10, 2022, the vehicle was taken into Discount Tire again due to heavy vibration in the vehicle while driving. A 2nd tire was found to be separated, and a 3rd tire has a flat spot in it. These tires now have 15,714 miles on them. Again, changed out the separated tire with a new tire. Do not have the DOT information on the 2 separated tires. Discount Tire disposed of the 2 separated tires each time they serviced the vehicle. The tire with the flat spot is still on the vehicle. There are 2 original tires on my vehicle from the July 2020 purchase. These 2 remaining tires pose potential for a blowout and an accident. DOT number U92Y 1CW 4919 & R72Y 1CW 2322. I contacted Cooper Tire, manufacturer, via email 8-16-2022. Received a standard minimal response 8-17-2022. Sent a certified letter 8-17-2022, requesting further assistance. Received another email response stating, "Have your dealer inspect the tires and if he determines that the tires failed due to a workmanship or materials condition, he can process the warranty and get the tires replaced." I will follow this route. return to the

NHTSA ODI 11479822

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 recalls on this vehicle and there is an incomplete throttle body repair/replace open recall, but when I looked it up via NHTSA it said no recalls. I would like this issue resolved. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11475469

Frame rotted out under normal use.

NHTSA ODI 11473803

Latch/hinge on rear tailgate glass has corroded and broken allowing for potential for glass to fall off. Corrosion has taken place over the last few years. Completely broken on 06/17/2022.

NHTSA ODI 11472302

Unknown. Both rear wheel wells are rusting away. Chunks of this falls off while I’m driving. I do believe that falling rusty chunks of metal may harm another driver that will either run over it and flatten a tire. Or that someone may swerve to miss a piece and cause an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11470986

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting out of park(P) into drive(D), the vehicle started jerking. The contact kept the brake pedal depressed and shifted back to park(P) before attempting to shift to drive(D) again. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PIN needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469554

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift from 2nd to 3rd without force. The contact also stated she had to depress the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to change gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 46,236.

NHTSA ODI 11469603

The caliber on our front wheel drive 2012, right wheel of the Escape overheated and locked up almost causing an accident. After taking it to be repaired (this time not a Ford dealer), the mechanic said the caliber got so hot that it melted the brake pad. The cost of repair is $900. Our brakes were installed and guaranteed by Tri-County Ford. This situation could have easily cause a serious accident or a car fire and caused bodily harm or worse. Our current mechanic said this is a common problem with our year (2012) Escape. Ford Motor Company needs to address this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11463178

The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on an inclined road and turning the engine off the vehicle erroneously rolled down the hill and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front driver sustained facial, right knee, injuries, and a concussion which required medical treatment. The front passenger sustained two fractured wrists. The vehicle was destroyed during the crash. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463093

I was driving on 169S and I lost steering. I was lucky to pull off to the side of the road. Found out it was the electric power steering assist torque sensor. I paid hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. I had to have a new steering column put in. I have to bring it back in to see if the computer is now affected by the replacement. The second incident involves losing the ability to accelerate on the highway when trying to pass. My child and I almost died! Why are all the models years not recalled??

NHTSA ODI 11458537

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While his wife was driving and making a left turn, the power steering suddenly failed, and the steering wheel would not turn in either direction, causing the vehicle to nearly crash into a telephone pole. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449069

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that she experienced the failure once a month since 9/1/2021. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11444729

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would inadvertently stall. The contact stated that the check warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing throttle body link replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11444570

My son was driving my 2012 Escape. While entering the Highway the steering became very stiff while making a left had turn. It felt like there was no power steering. the vehicle is at 135,970 miles. I was able to drive it to my parents and take another vehicle to work. Upon returning to the vehicle that evening the and starting it up, the steering had returned to normal. I looked online and saw that this is a common occurrence with the 2012 Escapes and that there was a recall for this for he 2011 Escapes.

NHTSA ODI 11444503

DRIVING CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING LOCKS UP, I PULLED OVER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO SEE IF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT, FOUND NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A LEAK , GOT BACK IN VEHICLE AND STARTED IT AND STEERING WAS FINE AGAIN, THAT WAS ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THIS MORNING I'M DRIVING TO WORK AND SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN I GET TO WORK I GO ONLINE AND NOTICE THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A LOT OF 2012 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THOSE VEHICLES MADE IN 2008 TO 2011 AND ASSEMBLED IN KANSAS CITY JUST LIKE MINE WAS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO FAULT CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11443252

Operator of vehicle will be driving on the roadway, suddenly without warning, steering system locks up. Operator has to forcefully pull vehicle to the side of the roadway. completely shut off the vehicle, wait for a short period and restart the vehicle. This lockup may occur several times during a trip. Vehicle has been repaired. The Steering shaft torque sensor had to be replaced. The steering lockup has been occurring over a period of a year. There appeared to be no pattern in the frequency of occurrences.

NHTSA ODI 11442694

My car was accelerating slowly and making rough sound. The power steering goes out too often without any warning

NHTSA ODI 11442596

4 times soon after starting car my steering wheel locked up. Had to stop car,shut off, restart and then steering was fine. If this happened while i was further along this could have caused an accident. Will be setting up appointment when i get my next job schedule so i know when to bring it in. I had a rubbing noise in the steering when i turned left about a month ago had brought it in, but they heard nothing and found nothing. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer insurance etc. Did pass MA state inspection this summer. No warning lights, messages etc. This first happened after i accidently leaned on my pocketbook with my keys in it and the remote start turned my car on. I went to go out to my car, realized it was running( i never use this feature)put my key in and drove off. As i went to go out of my street steering wheel locked up. Shut off car, restarted and sthen steering was fine.Happened beginning of Nov.2021

NHTSA ODI 11442407

My power steering gave out while driving. Fortunately, I was going at a low speed. I researched recalls on the 2012 Ford Escape and found recalls for this same problem were only on Ford Escapes up to 2011.

NHTSA ODI 11442237

The contact's mother owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her mother was at a standstill at a stop sign, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The driver towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering column to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,500.

NHTSA ODI 11440187