What 600 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape Hev

Power steering has failed a few times while driving. Purchased this Ford 2012 Escape in November 2023. Had 46,412 miles on it. Noticed a howl like a power steering pump. Took it to mechanic and he said there is no pump and that it could be the alternator. Had that replaced. Thought this issue might be part of a recall for that year with the power steering but dealership said no. Continues to howl and have lost power steering so we are not driving it presently. When the power steering fails it becomes hard to steer. Thank goodness it has failed at slower speeds. No warning lights have come on.

NHTSA ODI 11571971

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle was difficult to steer, and was veering to the left independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe was detaching the axle from the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the call to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570790

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570602

Was informed by my mechanic that the subframe has rusted out and is a safety issue. There is also excessive rust for the car's age and level of maintenance in the rear wheel wells.

NHTSA ODI 11570605

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and tuning into a parking lot, the power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel failed to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.

NHTSA ODI 11569933

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to steer the vehicle off the road. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained proper steering functionality. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567974

Power steering failed on my 2012 Ford Escape multiple times, without warning, or any indication light. To fix it required the car to be turned off and on again, which is difficult if you are actively driving. The steering failed while making both left and right hand turns, often at speeds <30mph. 2008-2011 Ford Escape models were recalled for this same issue - 2012 Escapes were never included in the recall however it seems to be the exact same issue. It was brought to the dealership once a year ago to inquire about this issue, but the issue could not be replicated. It was just again brought to the dealership after experiencing a loss of power steering 4 times in 4 days, and they replicated the issue and recorded diagnostic code B2278. It required replacing and reprogramming the steering shaft torque sensor (the exact same fix from the 2014 recall). The safety of this is concerning because Ford knows it is an issue based on the 2014 recall and the loss of power steering comes with no warning light, indication, or prediction. If this happens while driving, it absolutely increases risk of injury to the driver or others, along with increasing the risk of accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11565895

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 intersection and beyond before I was able to stop the car. It was very scary just thinking if there were anyone crossing the street it could have been very bad. Now im afraid to even drive my car not knowing if it will happen again.I call the service and cannot get appt. for 2 weeks. and it will be at my expense.

NHTSA ODI 11558436

2012 Ford Escape-while driving the red triangle brake indicator warning light comes on as well as the check brake system indicator light, it beeps and the car feels like it doesn't want to stop at times. This has intermittently been happening and the warning lights seem to reset once the car is turned off and restarted. I took the car in for service and had new tires and brakes put on. The light indicator and braking issue problem did not resolve. Intermittently, you press the brake and it comes to a partial stop then pushes out further and doesn't always stop as it should. On 5/9/2023, I was approaching a stop sign and experienced complete brake failure and was in an accident. Was going around 15-20 mph, the indicator lights came on, the car slowed and then the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and then the car would not stop. I called the mechanic that put the new brakes on and took the car in again for service, he suggested that I take it to another shop. I took the car to the suggested mechanic and they replaced the brakes, rotors, and brake lines. The indicator lights still kept coming on even on the way home from the mechanics shop. I drove right back and they could not find the issue/no codes. On 11/6/2023, while driving at approximately 20 mph, I experienced another complete braking failure. I was leaving the parking lot, suddenly the ABS warning and brake warning indicator light came on and the brakes did not work at all, the pedal went all the way to the floor. I managed to pull off the road and into a parking lot and pulled the emergency brake to stop the car. The second incident was 11/6/2023 and there was no crash, the vehicle was towed. Contacted Ford Dealership-stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. Can supply service records if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11554009

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling in the restaurant drive thru line, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who determined that the battery cable had failed and needed to be replaced. The battery cables were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552885

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a hole in the sub frame cradle due to rust. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549780

My grandmothers vehicle has had an intermittent loss of power steering while driving at slow speeds and is a serious safety concern, the safety recall I had found "14S05" is exactly what's goin on with her vehicle and it matches up exactly to the recall down to the assembly plant other than her vehicle was assembled a year after the recall, but yet these symptoms of this recall is exactly what she is having. She has brought it to multiple ford dealerships and they turn her away unless she pays them over $200? I would fix it as a consumer, but no lights come on or even point me in a proper direction of repairs. There's no warning lights or anything and the only way it can be repaired is by the dealer so how can my grandmother be liable for this if the car tells me nothing is wrong? I have found several accident reports concerning this exact situation with her vehicle, I genuinely fear for her safety. It's been a problem for over 6 months and she just got back to driving again after a surgery and her vehicle has this issue. It was addressed a while back and they claimed there was nothing wrong at a local dealership. I can't fix this vehicle of my grandmothers unless the computer is telling me there is something wrong..... I have had the issue happen myself several occasions just starting the vehicle in place with absolutely no power steering and no check engine light/codes. It's happening intermittently to my grandmother who only drives in the city under 40 mph. She claims it happens multiple times while driving and she has to pull over in the middle of the street to shut her vehicle off and then proceed to restart the vehicle and there's no issues, but then often comes back continuously throughout driving and yet there's no lights or anything. My grandma doesn't have hundreds to spend on diagnosis and the dealer isn't willing to address the safety concern without her spending money. She has kept all documents in case of accidents as she is in fear of one happening.

NHTSA ODI 11549651

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact made a right turn, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the steering torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11542946

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where it was discovered that the subframe connectors were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11539730

After starting the vehicle for the first time that day, the vehicle was driven 4 miles. When attempting to shift the center console shifter into the PARK position, the shifter was unable to fully move into the PARK position as it was blocked from transiting through the REVERSE position. The vehicle could only fully reach the NEUTRAL position from DRIVE position. After a few more attempts to move the shifter later the shifter was able to fully reach the PARK position. Subsequent attempts were inconsistent. In one case, the shifter showed PARK but when driver released the foot brake, the vehicle starting rolling backward in reverse (it was determined to be engaged in REVERSE). The issue was resolved by installing a new SHIFTER CABLE fitting at the transmission. The small two-piece plastic fitting that attaches (snaps on and then adjusts/locks) the cable assembly (part number AL8Z-7E395-A) to the transmission Manual Control Lever Ball Stud was loose and likely worn. Before installing the new snap on plastic fitting , attempts were made to adjust the original cable plastic fitting without success. Note that subsequent model years 2013 - 2019 had a similar failure result (Safety Recall 22S43).

NHTSA ODI 11536771

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rusted and fractured mounts; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534906

Brake system light warning on every time I drive. Was told there was a recall for 2014 Escape but not 2012. Was told the anti-lock brake system computer has a malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11528712

Shortly after start-up, the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel locked up. I attempted to turn the car off and back on (something I saw suggested online by other 2012 Ford Escape owners), but the power steering did not return. There were no warning lamps indicating a malfunction. When I researched the issue, I found a recall on previous models of the Ford Escape for the same issue. When I searched my car's VIN, it was not included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11527709

The steering wheel came off in my hands. I pushed it back on and went to Ford to get it fixed, they couldn't help me because they had no techs employed that work on my year vehicle, they never told me it was a safety issue and sent me on my way to look for outside mechanic not a FORD specialist. I was driving and the airbag exploded while I was backing up. It caused me injury and could have caused an accident because there was no warning, it suddenly exploded with a loud noise, if this happened when I was on the highway it would have caused severe accident, luckily I was backing the car up when it happened. I didn't hit anything to cause the airbag to deploy. When the steering wheel came off in my hands it was when I was parked, it could have happened when I was driving causing severe injury to myself and those around me. I keep my vehicle maintained by FORD and the steering wheel was never touched or repaired. But when I bought the vehicle brand new from FORD it was missing the Sirius satellite radio it was advertised as coming with, when I brought it back to Ford the seller told me they take it out for import reasons and I could buy it from them for $150 plus installation. I don't know if they touched the steering wheel when they removed the Sirius radio parts. I have the Sirius button on my vehicle and it was advertised with 6 months free Sirius, but the dealership said it's common practice in Puerto Rico for them to remove it because of import fees. I'm the only owner of this vehicle and it was sold to me as brand new. The steering wheel gave me no warning it was about to come off in my hands, it was not loose, it had no play in it, I was parked in my driveway and had just gotten into the car when it came off in my hands. I have the car for inspection and need to alert people of this danger and get the vehicle steering wheel recalled to prevent severe injury to another person.

NHTSA ODI 11527085

Oil engine leak .. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning ..

NHTSA ODI 11526489

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The battery, TPMS, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526597

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522060

The steering acted like it lost power, it was extremely hard to turn. It showed slide marks on dashboard. It also has airbag light on dashboard. We had a mechanic to run a test, the only thing it showed was that the airbag had no signal to the computer

NHTSA ODI 11520693

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11518653

Power steering was not working upon starting vehicle. Extremely hard to steer. If this had occurred at road speeds, particularly on curves it could have resulted in a loss of control and potentially life. Extremely frightening, especially as a quick search of the internet found it has occurred for many people and there was a recall for similar issue on prior years of Ford Escape. I am petrified to drive my car.

NHTSA ODI 11516103