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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Ford Escape has an acceptable complaint history so far, with leaking rear window problems showing up as the main concern so far. NHTSA complaint data shows an early pattern of problems with stalling while driving.

Another concern is the 2012 Escape rolled onto its roof during an NHTSA side impact test so it only received a marginal side impact rating ... not good.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,549 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #52

Sep 052017

Escape

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving and car went into power failure mode and wrench displayed on dash display. Found paperwork about throttle body safety recall. Decided to have safety recall 16S41 fuel module done also since it was going in for work. On Sept 5, 2017 took to keystone Ford chambersburg 717-264-5104. After both repairs done I was starting car to leave- had very long crank time. Had service person come out to hear and he said" sounds like your starters going bad". left Ford and car continued with long crank times- never had this problem before they worked on it. Took back on Sept 8,2017- they found nothing but said I needed new fuel pump $700. I complained because they had worked on the fuel pump and then it went bad!! clayton black offered me to do the fiel pump for $509 and no cost for labor. Also if not fixed don't have to pay for work done. Went to parson's interstate Ford shippensburg for 2nd opinion. They said they could do the fuel pump for $474 which included labor! when parson's removed the fuel pump they said a ring was loose and would have eventually leaked gas- would have been dangerous. Keystone didn't have it on correctly! I want keystone to pay for the fuel pump repair they caused the damage to- $499.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #51

Oct 022017

Escape

  • 81,000 miles
This is an ongoing issue while driving the engine suddenly reduces speed causing the car to stall! at any given time, the car stalls in the middle of the road or highway and while holding up traffic, I turn the ignition switch and the car resumes. This is a safety issue and must be recalled and repaired immediately!

- Hinesville, GA, USA

problem #50

May 012015

Escape

  • 39,000 miles
I purchased my 2012 Escape in August 2014, with approximately 29,000 miles on it. Within ten months, the air conditioner quit working. As I was pulling into a parking lot, smoke started coming out of the radiator area and a green substance was blowing out. The rear lift gate only opened some of the time, over the past year, and now does not open at all, possibly because water leaks through the hatch window, and has done so since I bought the vehicle.

- Hillsdale, MI, USA

problem #49

Jan 122015

Escape

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I got this vehicle from a Ford dealership almost 2 years ago and have been complaining since about stalling/stuttering when accelerating from park or when stopped at a light. I can't get it to duplicate the problem for the technicians, but I just found out about the electronic throttle body problem (13N03). I contacted Ford corporate about it and they made a case with the local dealership for me and said they must work with corporate to help me. Local dealership service manager basically told me there's nothing they can do if it can't be replicated. I have contacted another dealership, and I'm back at square 1.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #48

Aug 292016

Escape

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed as having a loose battery wiring harness and that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. The VIN was not available.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #47

Jan 072015

Escape

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Keystone Pkie, FL, USA

problem #46

Jun 202016

Escape

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Russia, OH, USA

problem #45

Nov 112015

Escape

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #44

Apr 162016

Escape

  • 38,000 miles
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.

- Lyndonville, VT, USA

problem #43

Apr 052016

Escape

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #42

Mar 012012

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #41

Nov 062014

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,782 miles
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

- Pitcairn, PA, USA

problem #40

Apr 162015

Escape

  • miles
From a stopped position then excelling or while driving on highway without any warning my car will stall. And wrench will appear.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #39

May 162015

Escape

  • 38,455 miles
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.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #38

Feb 142015

Escape

  • 17,500 miles
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.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #37

Apr 062015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 17,532 miles
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.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #36

Mar 062015

Escape

  • 26,000 miles
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!!!

- Framingham, MA, USA

problem #35

Nov 252014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 17,716 miles
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.

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #34

Oct 152014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 43,500 miles
Engine died while making a right hand turn onto another street.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #33

Jun 042014

Escape

  • 80,000 miles
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.

- Norfolk, NE, USA

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