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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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,023 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Apr 102024

Escape

  • miles

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

This is a second car so don't drive it every day -- first incident occurred back in 2023 driving in town and car stopped!! Rolled to side and it started back up -- this happened several times and was very hesitant to drive on any highways. Several days the car would not start -- looked on line trying to figure out what was wrong and saw many people were having similar issues but nothing resolved -- battery tested fine but got a new battery from AAA but the next day battery was dead again. My husband did some more research and decided to pull the fuse for the radio and the front display module and the car has not stalled nor the battery been dead since but have been driving without a radio. I had to go on a five hour drive (both ways) last weekend and not fun driving that long without a radio. Stopped by a AAA repair shop yesterday and they said they had many complaints about the radio causing this problem (two actually that morning) and to call Ford to see if there was a recall. I called Ford this morning and the answer was NO! They told me to take it to a Ford Dealer (which is not convenient) and to have it diagnosed but again from what I have read Ford does not have any solutions to this problem. Wanted to get on file to let other people with this same issue to try removing the radio fuses (#14, #28, #39) but they would have no radio either. If I get the radio replaced not sure if that would create other issues and what affect it would have on the anti-theft system.

- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA

problem #41

Apr 082023

Escape

  • miles
Warning on the dash panel intermittently says Lift gate/back glass is ajar even though it is closed. This causes the interior lights to turn on and off. I believe this is due to a manufacturer defect in the gasket that allows water/condensation to seep into the lift gate and cause corrosion of the electrical wires

- Sulphur Springs, TX, USA

problem #40

Jun 172022

Escape

  • miles
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.

- Harper Woods, MI, USA

problem #39

Nov 102021

Escape

  • miles

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

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

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #38

Nov 072021

Escape

  • 64,500 miles
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.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #37

Oct 232020

Escape

  • 135,500 miles
Where the sunglass holder in the visor is: It pours in water every time it rains. Water stains on visor & headliner. Gets the shiifter console wet; with pools of water in cup holders & soaks drivers seat. Vehicle is parked when it happens. It has moon roof - so I checked that & its completely closed.when this happens. This happens every rain storm. Concerned it will freeze as the weather gets colder & cause more damage to include windshield fracture.

- Northfield, NH, USA

problem #36

Sep 012020

Escape

  • 105,000 miles

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

While driving the 2012 Escape it lost excelloration a wench light lite on dash the truck just stopped in traffic. The engine was still running would not respond when given gas. Turned vehicle off restarted wrench light went out was able to drive home took to dealer they stateed they found nothing.a search of the internet shows this problem has acuured for some time in this modle please this is dangerous

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #35

May 152020

Escape 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
The shifter gets stuck in park. I was stuck at the gym parking lot for awhile until a friend stopped to help me. An we google way to get it in drive but it shouldn't have to be like that.

- Dexter, ME, USA

problem #34

Jun 222019

Escape

  • 46,000 miles
My 2012 Ford esacpe keeps stalling while I am driving and Ford dealership says there is nothing wrong with it. I am a 68 year old widow and this is my only means of tranportation. It has done this 5 times in less then a month.I can be driving 45 miles an hour and it will stall and at that time I cannot accelerate, I have to pray and try to coast out of traffic. I pull over and while the engine is still running the wrench dashboard light comes on. I shut it off and restart it and it runs normally until the next time it happens which I never know when that will be.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #33

Jun 122019

Escape

  • miles
Rear hatch door leaks water when it rains and also when washing car. The hatch locks up and will not open. I have paid for the repair on 2 occasions and now it has locked up again and will not open. This is a defect and also a safety related defect and not in compliance with us safety standards. This happens at all locations. It happened two times in tucson, AZ and now a third time here in ca on 06/12/2019.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

problem #32

Apr 062019

Escape

  • 33,100 miles

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

In a private parking lot, after executing a 90 degree left turn into a parking spot and with the brake pedal applied in order to slow then stop the vehicle, the vehicle surged forward just before coming to a complete stop. You could hear the engine rev up as it surged forward. Application of the brake pedal did nothing to slow it down. After the vehicle was jarred by striking the curb the engine returned to normal idol. So much power was applied in the surge that the vehicle jumped a curb, traveled over a a grass plot and struck another car on the other side. Our Ford Escape suffered front end damage (toward drivers side) and the other vehicle (a Ford eco -boost) suffered front and drivers side damage. Note that the vehicle was traveling forward at about one mph (almost to a full stop) when the surge occurred. As it surged the speed increased rapidly to about seven to ten mph. The vehicles were not towed at the time but when driving a short distance home a severe defect in the steering (pull to the left) was noticed making it virtually inoperable. The vehicle will be towed from our driveway to the body shop.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #31

Nov 152018

Escape

  • 43,200 miles
My car has stalled about 10 times while driving since I bought it on highway and streets. Suddenly motor dies and its so dramatically dangerous due that I have only a few meters to maneuver. The check engine light comes and goes. I took to autozone and they connected the scanner and came out trouble code P2111. Which mean throttle body got stuck or so. I have an appointment with Ford dealer on 12/05/2018 to see if they fix. Definitely is a big issue to dangerous for everybody. Only happens when driving less than 50mph. I have just recorded the check engine light on my phone. Car can stall at any point at any time and it's hard to document

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #30

Oct 132018

Escape

  • 30,000 miles
Evaporative emissions issue with flap/fuel tank cover giving a engine warning light and flag for emissions control system - known defects with Ford's cars/trucks. Dealer says it's probably a pipe - fuel filler (part focl8Z-9034-A/B R&R issue but local mechanics all say it's the flap/cover issue/problem for gas tanks - a known Ford defect and should've been part of all similar Ford recalls for same issue/problem that has been recalled on other Ford vehicles/models. I'm being told this is a $600-800 repair by the local dealer.

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

problem #29

Sep 202018

Escape

  • miles
2 issues. Rear window leak and shorted out the mtor to allow the lift gate to operate, remains shut. Second issue, rear wiper motor overheats and burned out. Motor continues to receive electricity and overheats which could cause a fire hazard

- Pellston, MI, USA

problem #28

Aug 132018

Escape

  • miles
Sunroof leaks and leaks inside of my car

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #27

Jun 152018

Escape

  • 87,000 miles
Driver side door alert remains on even when door is shut tight and locked. Upon placing key in ignition dinging is constant and door icon stays on. When locking vehicle upon exiting with remote it double beeps and interior lights stay lit. When locking doors with power locks from inside vehicle they automatically pop back unlocked. Door latch is fine. Door will shut and lock through manual means. Sensor is misreading actions and causing safety issue with unable to lock doors while driving.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #26

Dec 242017

Escape

  • miles
I got the notice for the recall. I called my Ford dealership ferman Ford and they said they would call me when part came in. I called back asking them and they stated that Ford only sends recall items when they want and the dealership has no control over it. I called Ford head office they said they can not do anything until diagnosed. I told them it is a recall. They stated they cannot do anything till diagnosed. I still don't have the recall done. I need help I getting this done for my car.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 132018

Escape

  • miles
I had a recall on my truck that I received in the mail about a couple weeks ago and I tried to get in touch with the dealer and the manufacturer and couldn't get through to neither locations

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #24

Jan 012018

Escape

  • miles
April 12, 2018....I've been calling my Ford dealer to take care of this recall matter since January, 2018. They keep telling me that they don't have the part and to call back at another time. What can I do to get this problem resolved?

- Cleveland, NY, USA

problem #23

Apr 102018

Escape

  • 46,000 miles
At approx. 46,000 mi. My Escape began cutting off while driving. No warning and no rhyme or reason. After coasting to safety (so far) I can restart and continue. No trouble light come on except the wrench while it is happening. At first it only happened every few weeks or so. Ford dealer said they don't know what problem is unless it is happening! now it is happening almost every time I drive. This is very scary and dangerous. I have instructions and documentation for my daughter in case I am killed or seriously injured because I am that afraid. I can't afford expensive repairs on a vehicle with less than 49,000 miles. Ford can't even tell me what it is! this has now happened on an interstate @ 70 mph all the way down to neighborhood at 2 mph. I haven't had an accident yet but am certain it's only a matter of time. While having it serviced at Ford dealer yesterday I was told they would have to have a $110 to hook it to computer but they may not tell them what the problem is. I am a single mother with daughter in college and can't afford to gamble $110. I am scared to drive. I paid for a 76,000 mi warranty when I bought the vehicle but was told it expired in June of 2017. Please help!

- Macon, GA, USA

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