Print this page

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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,485 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 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #54

Apr 102019

Escape

  • 114,500 miles

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

I was driving in town at a slow rate when my braking feel like there was born ABS and my car was getting to close and I applied pressure on the pedal but it wouldn't stop. My steering wheel became very stiff and couldn't turn it. An hour later, I was driving on the interstate when my ABS, traction control light and stability light came on. My car would not turn well and I was in the middle of passing a vehicle. I had no brakes at that point. This happened April 20, 2019. Clear road conditions. My Escape is becoming a big safety concern. When braking I feel my system keeps slipping in the front end and a sagging in the rear. When I drive it, I am terrified that this will happen again and won't be able to stop. Turning feelings rigid and stiff at times. A car had pulled out in front of me and had to do a hard stop on the interstate. I pressed on the brakes but the system would not stop and steering wouldn't allow to turn. I had to turn a harsh right to avoid causing an accident while attempting to drive off to the side of the road. This has happened since the 1st day I purchased this vehicle 26 May 2016 from glenbrook Hyundai in fort wayne, in.

- New Haven, IN, USA

problem #53

Mar 152019

Escape

  • miles
My vehicle makes loud noise when I drive from the wheel barrel

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #52

Mar 022019

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
Preheated the car for 20 minutes before leavng for work in -8 degree weather. Tried to pull out onto highway and steeering went out. Had to really manhandle wheel to make a right hand turn onto the road. Thought maybe there was snowin whhel well or something. I oulled over to look, whheels were clear. Tried drving forward into a round aboutand almost missed the curve. Very scary, steering became even worse so brought the car home and parked it.car does not steer in motion or stationary with engine running.

- Red Lodge Mt 59068, CA, USA

problem #51

Jan 092019

Escape 4-cyl

  • 58,718 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later towed to lake view Ford (located at 12381 conneaut lake rd, conneaut lake, pa 16316, (814) 382-5485) where it was diagnosed that the electric steering gear module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 58,718. Consumer stated there was no warning and would not steer.

- Jamestown, PA, USA

problem #50

Oct 082018

Escape

  • 95,000 miles
On several occasions the power steering has stopped working causing scary action to steer the car.after stopping for 15 minutes or longer the car can C=be cranked again and the power steering is restored.I have written the Ford Motor Company to explain this trouble and they have denied my request to have it fixed under the same recall the 2008-2011 Escape owners have enjoyed to get this terrible safety issue to be corrected.many, many other 2012 Ford Escape owners have had this same issue and the internet sites are full of the same complaints.this is very troubling to me...

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #49

Oct 262018

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
On October 26, 2018, I was stopped at a red light waiting to make a right hand turn. When the light turned green and I proceeded to make my turn, my wheel was tight and locked into one position. It was extremely difficult to straighten it out. I drove about one mile before I could safely turn it into a parking lot. I had to use all my strength to turn it and straighten it out. I sat in the car for about 15 minutes while making some phone calls to family members about my situation. At one point, I turned the car off. I waited 5 minutes and turned it back on and it was working. Very scary situation. I drove it to my mechanic who said it was a steering shaft torque sensor malfunction B2278 code 100.427. Since my mechanic cleared the code, 3 separate Ford dealers refused to look at it without an active code. So I have been driving it for about 2 months and holding my breath each time I make a turn and keep looking for the straightest path wherever I go. But lucky for me, on December 24, steering wheel was locked and couldn't start car from a parked position. Hoping this incident is related to the first. After several attempts to start the car, nothing. I waited 5 minutes and the car started. My wheel was turned sharply to the right as I was parked on a downward incline. Hoping the two incidents are related so I can get this nerve wracking situation repaired. Also filed formal complaint with Ford corporation.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #48

Dec 062018

Escape

  • 76,000 miles

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

Lost power steering while driving. Very difficult to control vehicle. Prior model years were recalled for similar problem with electronic power steering assist

- Bellingham, MA, USA

problem #47

Dec 062018

Escape

  • 116,000 miles
My power steering is randomly going out while driving. After taking it to a shop and having it inspected they told me that the computer forgot how to drive in a way. So they reprogrammed the computer. That night my Escape did the same thing on my way to work while driving down the road. I got out of work in the morning and it was fine. Then today it went out while I was driving down the highway and I had to pull over and shut it off then restart it and after that it was fine again. I researched any recalls and there was some for 2011 models but I'm wondering if it should have been expanded to the 2012 as well?

- Eaton Rapids, MI, USA

problem #46

Nov 072018

Escape

  • 66,000 miles
Power steering failed twice on our 2012 Ford Escape at approximately 66,000 miles. After driving the car on a series of windy back roads, shortly after setting out, the power steering system failed and became very difficult to steer. It was possible but difficult and very unsafe. Luckily we were not yet on the highway. Recalls exist for previous years that document the same issue but one has not been issued for this year/model, leaving many unsafe cars on the road. Parts alone for the repair were quoted at $900.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #45

Nov 192018

Escape

  • 100,000 miles
My power steering went out while I was driving to work. I was pulling into a parking garage. Luckily I was not on the freeway. I started the car about 3 hours later and it was fine. I took it to the dealership and they said it was the torque sensor. I mentioned the recall on the 2011S and the guy blew it off...thankfully they didn't have to replace the whole steering column. It would have been $2500. Instead it only cost me 775.00.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #44

Nov 202018

Escape

  • 105,000 miles

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

Power steering would fail at highway speed with no warning. It was still possible, although very difficult to steer, and at highway speeds presents a major hazard. This has happened multiple times. A recall exists on this vehicle for the same problem 2008-2011.

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #43

Nov 182018

Escape

  • 143,557 miles
While driving the steering gets really hard to turn. It looses power assist. It will quit if you turn the car off and restart. I believe the vehicle is unsafe to drive. It is the same complaint involved in another recall but this truck is not part of that recall... 1500 dollar repair to replace parts from Ford

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #42

Nov 102017

Escape

  • 158,900 miles
Started last year. Problem occur forward or backing up. Steering will become heavy and turning to the right. While driving steering wheel will get locked and the car will simultineouly stop but engine stays on. I will have to turn the car to off and turn back to on. Then I resume driving until it will occur again. This happened multiple times. I am not able to drive the car since I feel it is dangerous and unsafe. I contacted the Ford dealer they declined any recalls. They claimed recalls are only available for the prior year 2011. The cost to repair could be up to $1300 as an estimate based on the symbol diagnosis code that appear on the dashboard. Strted a year ago with mileage around 135,000 and continue till todate. Wheel bearing were exchanged by other repair shops unkowing to me of the recall.

- Kingston, NY, USA

problem #41

Nov 122018

Escape

  • 99,000 miles
Turned on to on-ramp to highway, powering steering failed. Hard to turn wheel to get off the road and pulled to complete stop and turned off engine. Waited five minutes and turn vehicle back on and power steering was working once again. Drove hwy 14 miles and took off-ramp and power steering failed again. This is a dangerous issue and there should be a safety recall on this vehicle.

- Golden Valley, MN, USA

problem #40

Nov 082018

Escape

  • 74,000 miles
Epas (power steering column) went out, not covered in past recall - many other people having powering issues with these Ford... should be included in the recall!

- Seatac, WA, USA

problem #39

Oct 222018

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost steering ability. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to golf mill Ford (9401 N milwaukee ave, niles, il 60714, (847) 470-9800), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #38

Oct 252018

Escape

  • 98,691 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact was able to turn off and restart the vehicle, which reset the power steering and returned it to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the steering column and steering housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Prime Ford (located at 857 portland rd, saco, me 04072, (207) 282-0300) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,691.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #37

Oct 252018

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
The steering became very stiff. I was in a drive through line and at first thought the tires were against the curb. Realized they weren't and managed to exit the line and turn into a parking place. It was like the steering wheel was locked. Called for a tow truck and when he got there an hour later, the steering was fine.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #36

Oct 022018

Escape

  • 153,000 miles
Power steering wheel locking, when making turns while driving. Steering wheel locks on and off, to get it to unlock or back to normal handling, I have to immediately pulled over the side of the road in a safely manner, put car on park turn engine off, then restart car and the steering wheel works again. This is a very dangerous issue taking my car to Ford dealer and see hoe they can help me resolve this issue as it seems to be a huge problem with 2008-12 Ford Escapes.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #35

Oct 012018

Escape

  • 88,000 miles
My cars steering wheel locks up, and becomes hard to steer! its extremely dangerous!

- Nashville, TN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?