YearToAvoid

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

21/100

#12 most-complained of 15 Escape Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid has 15 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 21 out of 100 — #12 highest of 15 Escape Hybrid model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (3 complaints, 20% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes and 2 injuries.

Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30.5
32 city / 28.5 hwy

Top 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine3 (20%)
  2. Structure & Body3 (20%)
  3. Brakes2 (13%)
  4. Fuel System2 (13%)
  5. Other2 (13%)
  6. Steering2 (13%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (13%)
  8. Airbags1 (7%)
  9. Electrical System1 (7%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
2012 Ford Escape Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2013Oct 2014Apr 2015Sep 2016Sep 2017Jan 2018Sep 2018Nov 2020
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to Nov 2020; peak Apr 2015 (3).

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
32 MPG
Highway
28.5 MPG
Combined
30.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Escape Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good3659030.5
2011Good2937030.5
2012Best2115030.5
2013Best750—
2020Avoid1002881—

All Ford Escape Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid ranks #12 of 15 among Escape Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 21/100, verdict: Best). It has 15 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid?
The most reported problem areas are engine (3 complaints), structure & body (3 complaints), and brakes (2 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 38,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid?
EPA rates the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid at 30.5 MPG combined (32 city / 28.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.