2012 Ford Escape problems and complaints
Owners have filed 599 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape. The most-reported areas: Steering (137), Fuel/Propulsion System (137), Engine (72).
Key takeaways
- 599 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 37 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 26 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 137 | 23% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 137 | 23% |
| Engine | 72 | 12% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 69 | 12% |
| Structure | 68 | 11% |
| Power Train | 66 | 11% |
| Unknown Or Other | 44 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 42 | 7% |
| Fuel System | 26 | 4% |
| Gasoline | 26 | 4% |
| Air Bags | 24 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x4 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Structure - filed 2026-09-19
Sun roof is leaking into the passenger compartment. Car was typically parked under cover and not driven in inclement wether. Drain hose was found not to be clogged however water is leaking into the passenger compartment. Staining the headliner seats and collecting on the floors. The date is the most recent occurrence. ...
Steering - filed 2026-05-22
No power steering hard to turn left and right
Steering,electrical System - filed 2026-04-30
Vehicle: 2012 Ford Escape Issue: Loss of steering assist while driving While operating my vehicle, the power steering assist suddenly fails, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. This creates a dangerous driving condition and significantly increases the risk of an accident. This issue appears to mat...
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More for the 2012 Ford Escape
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.