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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,549 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #72

Dec 022023

Escape

  • miles

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

While coming to a stop sign, as I took my foot off the gas pedal, it surged forward at a fast speed the gas pedal went to the floor. it took me through the intersection and beyond before I was able to stop the car. It was very scary just thinking if there were anyone crossing the street it could have been very bad. Now im afraid to even drive my car not knowing if it will happen again.I call the service and cannot get appt. for 2 weeks. and it will be at my expense.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #71

Oct 182022

Escape

  • miles
Oil engine leak.. clicking sound from the front wheels when turning..

- West Hollywood , CA, USA

problem #70

Jan 012023

Escape

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove as designed. The contact stated that the -€œStop Safely Now-€ message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Joshua, TX, USA

problem #69

Dec 132021

Escape

  • 85,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would inadvertently stall. The contact stated that the check warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing throttle body link replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Selden, NY, USA

problem #68

Jul 262021

Escape

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who attempted to repair the failure however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Feeding Hills, MA, USA

problem #67

Sep 012020

Escape

  • 105,000 miles
While driving the 2012 Escape it lost excelloration a wench light lite on dash the truck just stopped in traffic. The engine was still running would not respond when given gas. Turned vehicle off restarted wrench light went out was able to drive home took to dealer they stateed they found nothing.a search of the internet shows this problem has acuured for some time in this modle please this is dangerous

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #66

Jun 242020

Escape

  • 118,685 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the driver door was closed but failed to latch securely. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the door latch fractured and needed to be replaced. The door latch was replaced however, the mechanic was unable to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,685.

- New Paris, OH, USA

problem #65

Oct 012019

Escape

  • 47,900 miles
My 2012 Ford Escape suddenly loses power when driving. It happened on the highway and I was almost rear ended. I googled the symptoms and found that it is probably the etb electronic throttle body. This is dangerous and NHTSA did not issue a recall or protect the public by requiring Ford to provide towing. Instead NHTSA only required that Ford extend the warranty an additional 10 years leaving Ford owners at risk of injury or worse.

- Kamuela, HI, USA

problem #64

Mar 032019

Escape

  • 64,769 miles
Loud ticking noise coming from engine at idle and while driving. Sounds as though valves or engine could be cracking.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #63

Jul 182018

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact was not the first owner of the vehicle and was unaware that there was an internal fault with the throttle body. The wrench icon, check engine, and oil pressure warning indicators kept randomly illuminating. Courtesy Ford (6393 us-98 w, hattiesburg, ms 39402, (601) 264-5555) was aware that the manufacturer issued an unknown recall campaign to address the failure; however, there was no remedy for special coverage campaign number: 13N03 (throttle body extended coverage). The dealer stated that the vehicle was excluded because the mileage exceeded 8,000. The dealer diagnosed that the air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The part was replaced and the dealer stated that the throttle body was cleaned; however, both repairs failed to provide a remedy. The dealer and manufacturer expected the contact to replace the throttle body. The vehicle continued to lose speed and the contact was concerned that it could stall. The vehicle was not repaired and was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was contacted and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was not available... consumer asked the manufacturer for technical guidelines for the campaign #13N03 and was told consumer wouldn't get what was needed. Throttle replaced.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #62

Dec 172018

Escape

  • 110,350 miles

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

When my heater motor kicks on while I am driving it causes my car to want to stall or die. My car shutters so I must turn off my heat so my far will go as it should. Other times my car has had a hesitation while I am driving. I push the accelerator and it shutters. It has been an issue since I bought it like that. The happy car store glenbrook Hyundai in fort wayne Indiana sold it to me like this.

- Bluffton, IN, USA

problem #61

Nov 192018

Escape

  • 43,300 miles
Car stall at any point while driving. Since I bought the car has stalled about 10 times. Check engine light comes and goes. I had the chance to take it to autozone to connect the scanner while light was on, and diagnostic came with trouble code P2111. As I said it can happen at any time at an unexpected point. It's a little of panic involved every time because cars coming from behind and I have to act to quickly to put on hazards and maneuver the car which start jerking too. No way to record any thing due that I don't know exactly when is going to happen. I have an appointment with Ford dealer on 12/05/2018

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #60

Nov 152018

Escape

  • 43,200 miles
My car has stalled about 10 times while driving since I bought it on highway and streets. Suddenly motor dies and its so dramatically dangerous due that I have only a few meters to maneuver. The check engine light comes and goes. I took to autozone and they connected the scanner and came out trouble code P2111. Which mean throttle body got stuck or so. I have an appointment with Ford dealer on 12/05/2018 to see if they fix. Definitely is a big issue to dangerous for everybody. Only happens when driving less than 50mph. I have just recorded the check engine light on my phone. Car can stall at any point at any time and it's hard to document

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #59

Nov 122018

Escape

  • 43,050 miles
Takata recall, my car Ford Escape 2012 engine stall/dies while driving, almost on daily bases now, at any travel point at any road. Check engine light came out but now goes. I took the photo(just in case to prove it) and diagnostic scanner printout the throttle body needs to be addressed. I read that this vehicle has an extended warranty for this part up to 10 years due to defect throttle body. I will take to the dealer tomorrow and I will notify them too. This car has only 43150 miles on it and needs to be fix due to a dangerous engine stalling. "I purchased it recently"

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #58

Aug 062018

Escape 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to stalling issues. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure could be found.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #57

Jun 042018

Escape

  • 127,000 miles
While driving, everything cut off. I could not accelerate, the power steering turned off, and I had to try and safely pull over. Luckily, each time I was in a position where I could pull over safely. Restarted the vehicle and everything seemed normal. This is extremely scary and unbelievably dangerous!!! please Ford, do something about this! have taken it in for service and no code can be found and everything passes the diagnostic tests. What can be done??

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #56

Oct 242015

Escape

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while driving 25 mph, the vehicle shook and stalled and the wrench warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V777000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called tyler Ford (2626 S southwest loop 323, tyler, tx 75701) and bill mcrae Ford Lincoln (1511 E rusk St, jacksonville, tx 75766 903-586-2241) and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Jacksonville, TX, USA

problem #55

Mar 292018

Escape

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had a fuel leak. The contact was advised to contact the Ford dealer for any recalls. Tom masano Ford Lincoln (1600 lancaster ave, reading, pa) was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V777000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Mohrsville, PA, USA

problem #54

Oct 222017

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving 5 mph, the contact attempted to park the vehicle and it accelerated forward without warning. The contact's foot was not on the accelerator pedal at the time of the failure. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries. The driver's air bag deployed, but the passenger air bag did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was diagnosed as a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #53

May 162017

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
On two separate occasions, my 2012 Ford Escape has completely shut off on me while driving at about 40 mph. I had to coast to the side of the road, one time on a side road and the other on a highway while trying to accelerate, and then turn the car off and back on again. Both times that seemed to correct the problem. This is an extremely dangerous defect that seems to have been reported by many other 2012 Escape owners on forums/blogs.

- Charleston, SC, USA

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