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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.

2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,829 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2012 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #12

Oct 152019

Escape

  • 101,943 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was parked, the rear window exploded outwards for the second time. Each time, there were no signs of any vandalism. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assist. The glass company (safelite) stated that the failure occurred with the same year, make, and model vehicles. The cause of the failures was not determined. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,943.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #11

Aug 302019

Escape

  • 109,000 miles
My vehicle is in good condition but continues to have problems. I closed my lift gate tonight and heard a crack. My rear glass broke off of the liftgate glass hinge on the passenger side of the vehicle. It only remained attached by the driver side hinge. It appears that corrosion/rust occurred because it was not sealed or water got in somehow. I am very thankful this did not happen while driving because if it would have broken from both, it would certainly detach and break on the roadway.

- Southern Pines, NC, USA

problem #10

Nov 232018

Escape

  • 57,000 miles
Vehicle was traveling at highway speed (70mph) when primary and secondary hood latches failed and hood was blown open into the windshield. This was after 5+ hours of highway travel without any recent operation of the interior hood latch release. Emergency stop was made to secure hood. Hood is damaged and unable to close. Body above the windshield is also damaged from the hood impact.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #9

May 012015

Escape

  • 39,000 miles

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

I purchased my 2012 Escape in August 2014, with approximately 29,000 miles on it. Within ten months, the air conditioner quit working. As I was pulling into a parking lot, smoke started coming out of the radiator area and a green substance was blowing out. The rear lift gate only opened some of the time, over the past year, and now does not open at all, possibly because water leaks through the hatch window, and has done so since I bought the vehicle.

- Hillsdale, MI, USA

problem #8

Jul 022017

Escape

  • 57,000 miles
In the past year, we have experienced 2 near catastrophic accidents both due to under hood safety latch failures on our 2012 Ford Escape. In both cases, while driving on san diego area freeways, the hood unexpectedly flew up and crashed into the windshield causing serious damage not only to the hood but also the hood hinges, windshield and area surrounding the windshield. The total cost to repair our Ford Escape for both accidents was almost $9,200. Although the driver was able to successfully drive the car over to the side of the road avoiding other vehicles in each case, the potential for multiple vehicle and serious injury even death was possible. After examining the hood safety latch located under the hood near the radiator, it appears that the problem is a poorly designed safety latch and spring which should only allow the hood to be raised after the safety latch is manually released. Obviously, in both cases, the hood safety latch was not manually released but rather released for some other reason such as wind, bumpy road, etc. Related to this under hood safety latch issue is the location of the hood release lever on the left driver's side under the dash. This hood release lever is co-located near the emergency brake release. Obviously, the potential for pulling the wrong lever is present because of this co-location. Nonetheless, the hood should only be allowed to rise, if both the under dash lever and the under hood safety latch are manually pulled / moved. The hood should never fly open unexpectedly when being driven on a freeway or other highway even if the under dash lever is pulled. Again, the under hood safety latch and spring are poorly designed in our 2012 Ford Escape allowing the hood to fly up while our car was being driven causing serious damage to the vehicle.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

problem #7

Dec 232016

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
Back window shattered in garage overnight.

- Lebanon, NH, USA

problem #6

Nov 012016

Escape

  • 93,000 miles

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

The rear window of this Ford Escape leaks causing visibility issues on the rear window, moisture collection in center brake light, and water residue in/on electrical components in rear door. Began at about 24,000 miles. Out of warranty when issue was taken to dealership at 39,000 miles. All miles within first year to 18 months of ownership. The water leaves streaks and staining on the interior glass during heavy rains and melting snow.

- Troy, OH, USA

problem #5

Jun 122015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. Upon entering the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal odor. The contact realized that the seats, floor boards, rugs, and windows were wet and foggy. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking water from the windows and the seals on the doors. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000... updated 09/30/15

- Louieville , KY, USA

problem #4

Mar 252014

Escape

  • 30,000 miles
Back windshield leaks and has been since 27000 miles.

- Crescent Springs, KY, USA

problem #3

Dec 312013

Escape

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked, the rear window became shattered from the inside out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection but no information was provided to the contact. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #2

Nov 152012

Escape

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear windshield wiper only had two speeds settings and would not completely clear the window when driving in rainy weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the vehicle was performing as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #1

May 152012

Escape

  • 5 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle created a reflection on the windshield and affected his vision. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was operated during sunny weather conditions. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5. the VIN was unavailable.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

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