2012 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2012 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 35, the 14th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Escape years. It carries 599 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 599
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 37
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 26
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 3 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 26 / 0
Top 2012 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System160 (27%)
- Steering137 (23%)
- Engine128 (21%)
- Structure & Body76 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain66 (11%)
- Other46 (8%)
- Electrical System43 (7%)
- Airbags24 (4%)
- Brakes24 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers20 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal or rear-end crashes, sometimes with resulting head or chest injuries.
- Front seat backs fracture or collapse into a reclined position during rear-end collisions.
- Steering can suddenly stop responding while turning, leaving the driver unable to control direction.
- Engine reportedly shuts off on its own at low speed without warning, on more than one occasion.
- Brake pedal has been reported to fail to stop the vehicle when engaged at low speed.
2012 Ford Escape recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V777000Oct 26, 2016Fuel System329,265 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
2012 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford Escape reliable?
- Relative to other Escape model years, the 2012 ranks 14th worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 35, which earns a Good verdict compared to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Escape?
- NHTSA data shows Fuel System complaints lead at 27% share (160 complaints), followed by Steering at 23% and Engine at 21%.
- Does the 2012 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 Ford Escape, covering the fuel system, where Ford replaces the FDM flange with a redesigned fuel supply port. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Escape compare to other years?
- The 2012 Escape's complaint index of 35 is lower than 2009 (75), 2010 (80), 2013 (90), 2014 (85), and 2017 (100), all of which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What mileage do 2012 Escape problems tend to show up at?
- Across problem areas, the median mileage at failure ranges from 40,000 for Engine complaints to 100,000 for Steering complaints, with the overall figure at 57,000 miles.