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)

160 of 598 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters · page 6 of 7

Mar 27, 2017Fuel system

I HAVE TRIED YOUR PHONE NUMBER AT LEAST 4 TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND IT RINGS 20 TIMES AND THEN GOES TO A BUSY SIGNAL. YOU ARE ABOUT AS ORGANIZED AS THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY! PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10968715

Mar 12, 2017Electrical systemFuel system

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I COULDN'T HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND IT RESTARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME A HANDFUL OF TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, BUT EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CANNOT FIX IT. THE FORD DEALERSHIPS OFFER TO "TAKE A LOOK AT IT" FOR A HIGH PRICE, AND CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG EITHER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND/OR FUEL SYSTEM, BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION, FORD SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OF THE FORD ESCAPE TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY ONLINE FORUMS STATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES IDENTICAL TO THIS, ALL OF THEM STATING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO BAD ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG OR FIX THEIR VEHICLES. AS CONSUMERS, WE PAY A VERY HIGH PRICE FOR VEHICLES THAT WE DEPEND ON DAILY TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. FORD SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SATISFACTION OF ITS CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI 10960242

Feb 21, 2017Fuel system

FUEL IS LEAKING AT ALL POINTS CLAMPED TO BODY. FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT AT EVERY POINT THAT WAS CLAMPED TO BODY FROM ENGINE TO FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HARSH CONDITIONS. FUEL LINES NOT RUSTED OUTSIDE OF CLAMPS.

NHTSA ODI 10956062

Feb 17, 2017Speed controlFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 10955281

Feb 15, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10954862

Feb 3, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10949469

Feb 1, 2017Fuel system

AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN MY GARAGE COMING FROM THE GAS FILL AREA OF THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AFTER FILLING WITH FUEL. I FILL THE CAR ONCE A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 10948910

Jan 10, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER HELD THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IT DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS RE-ENGINEERING THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RELEASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE PART TO BE SENT TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/29/17 LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO IMPROPERLY SHIFT AND SHUTTER ON ACCELERATION AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. UPDATED 08/30/2017 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10944149

Dec 8, 2016Fuel systemFire

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL OF MY FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND WENT THRU THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. I HAD BEEN PAYING A YEAR FOR THIS AUTO AND NOW HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER. I CALLED FORD AFTER THE FIRE TO COMPLAIN AND THAT'S WHEN I LEARNED OF THE RECALL. I LOST MY CAR AND MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS. I WANT TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 10933837

Nov 30, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION AND STRONG FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FUEL TRAVELING THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT NOT YET DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10928841

Nov 16, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 11/28/16.*JB UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 02/13/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10926397

Jul 13, 2016Engine & coolingElectrical systemFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RODENTS DESTROYED THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR AND THE FUEL CAP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10884650

May 3, 2016Fuel system

CAR LEAPS FORWARD WHEN GAS IS APPLIED FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR CONVERSELY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BUT NO ERROR CODE APPEARED AT TIME OF SERVICE. THEREFOR DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIX THE CAR AND I SHOULD KEEP HAVING SYSTEM IN CAR CHECKED FOR THE CODE TO APPEAR

NHTSA ODI 10862696

Sep 12, 2015Fuel system

CAR SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOU EXCELERATE. RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN AND IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPROGRAMED ONCE SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THE CAR. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE.

NHTSA ODI 10763281

Sep 3, 2015Speed controlFuel system

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO DROP TO A "SURGING" IDLE AND MANUAL THROTTLE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE DASH, AT THIS POINT, INDICATED THE CHECK ENGINE "WRENCH" LIGHT AND THE RPM INDICATOR SEEMED TO BOUNCE BETWEEN 300 TO 1000 RESPECTIVELY. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE THEN, RESPONDED NORMALLY WITH NO TROUBLE CODES INDICATED ON DASH. CODE READER: P2111. THIS VEHICLE IS OFFICIALLY USED FOR FIRE RESPONSE THROUGH MUNICIPAL 911 SERVICES.

NHTSA ODI 10761183

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

Mar 25, 2015Speed controlFuel system

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING FROM FORD BUT CAN NOT FIND IT IN YOUR DATABASE FOR MY VEHICLE. IS THERE A RECALL OR NOT FOR MY VEHICLE? VIN: [XXX] FSA TITLE: ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY EXTENDED COVERAGE FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 13N03 A RECALL IS AN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY CONCERN RELATED TO A VEHICLE DEFECT OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENT. IT MAY REQUIRE THAT YOU RETURN YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED, IT MAY BE BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT AT A DIFFERENT TIME OR USING A DIFFERENT PART THAN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. BE ADVISED THAT THIS SYSTEM TRACKS SAFETY AND EMISSIONS RECALLS FOR WHICH VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO REPAIR IN THE UNITED STATES. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND UPDATE. THERE MAY BE TEMPORARY DELAYS IN UPDATE OF INFORMATION ON THIS SITE DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF YOUR VEHICLE OR ANY RECALL PROGRAM OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY OR THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10701601

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

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

Aug 19, 2014SuspensionBody & structureSpeed controlFuel systemCrash1 injury

PLEASE FORWARD TO APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH AT ~5:45PM A CLEAR DAY: OUR MOM/MOTHER IN-LAW HAD JUST DROPPED OF MY DAUGHTER AFTER SHOPPING AND WAS MAKING HER WAY HOME THRU THE WINDY BACK ROADS LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM OUR HOME. AS SHE CLIMBED A HILL A FEW BLOCKS AROUND THE CORNER FROM HER HOME AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ON THE CREST OF THE HILL. THE 2012 FORD ESCAPED LURCHED/SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. AS FROM HER DESCRIPTION, SHE HEARD LOUD RUMBLINGS COMING FROM THE ENGINE; THE ESCAPE SHOOK AND LAUNCHED HER FORWARD WHILE SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ESCAPE PROPELLED HER UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARD CRASHING INTO A LARGE BOULDER, SHE THEN RICOCHETED ACROSS TWO LANES UP HILL, OVER AN EMBANKMENT /WALL, JUST MISSING A TREE, COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE PUSHING IT APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET, PASSED THAT INTO ANOTHER SMALL WALL JUST MISSING THE HOUSE. WE ARE THANKFUL ON MANY LEVELS; THAT OUR DAUGHTER WAS NOT WITH HER, THAT OUR MOM WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED. I WAS RESEARCHING ONLINE AND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN FOR THIS VEHICLE AT ONE TIME. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY INVOLVED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED KNOWING THAT MANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS DRIVE ESCAPE MODELS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS. WE HAVE MANY PICTURES FROM THE SCENE FOR YOU TO REVIEW. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626454

Aug 1, 2014Fuel systemSpeed control

ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP ENGINE CUTS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10618210

Jun 20, 2014Speed controlFuel system

VEHICLE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING - NO GAS PRESSURE - ENGINE RUNNING, PEDAL TO FLOOR, NO REV., OR EXCESSIVE REV WHILE DRIVING. ADVISED BY ASE MECHANIC - THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604784

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

Dec 27, 2013Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

AFTER SLOWING DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I FELT A JOLT OR THRUST FORWARD. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD I NOTICED THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT. I TRIED TO GIVE THE CAR GAS AND IT WENT NO WHERE. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND LOOK UP THE LIGHT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT SAID IT WAS A POWER TRAIN/THROTTLE BODY FAULT. AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES FOR A TOW TRUCK I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR AND IT STARTED NORMALLY. THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY THE REST OF THE DAY. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED THE NEXT MORNING. THEY EVENTUALLY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED/SHORTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I WAS 700 MILES OVER. AFTER FILING A CASE WITH FORD AND DOING RESEARCH, I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10557429

Nov 18, 2013Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND WAS A POP AND I HAD NO GAS AT ALL. I HAD TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY. THE REPAIR BILL WAS OVER $400.00 TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT IS NOT COVERED IN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10552667

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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 →