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2012 Ford Escape Hev
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
600 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Fuel system problems dominate (26% of complaints, typically reported near 41k miles).
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
The math, shown
Full methodology →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 Hev SUV 4x4
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 20%
3 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 Hev, 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
26%158 complaints · typically near 41k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“While coming to a stop sign, as I took my foot off the gas pedal, it surged forward at a fast speed the gas pedal went to the floor. it took me through the intersectio…”
Steering
22%131 complaints · typically near 90k mi · 14 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminat…”
Engine
12%74 complaints · typically near 8k mi
“Oil engine leak .. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning ..”
Speed control
12%70 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…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
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 HEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Escape Hev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Ford Escape Hev 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.