2012 Ford Escape Reliability
The 2012 Ford Escape has 619 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with nearby Escape model years (2010–2014), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Escape's typical year, while the 2013 drew 2,757 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
619
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
41
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Ford Escape complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 142 | 23% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 139 | 22% |
| Engine | 75 | 12% |
| Speed control / throttle | 71 | 11% |
| Body structure | 70 | 11% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 67 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 45 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 43 | 7% |
2012 Ford Escape recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15E045000 | Jun 3, 2015 | Suspension — front / wheel bearing | The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner… |
| 16V777000 | Oct 26, 2016 | Fuel system — 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… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Escape years
Verdicts compare these Escape model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,130 | 5 | Speed control / throttle | Avoid |
| 2011 | 1,356 | 3 | Steering | Caution |
| 2012 (this page) | 619 | 2 | Steering | Solid |
| 2013 | 2,757 | 18 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2014 | 2,090 | 16 | Engine | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2012 Ford Escape on the used market
- 53 of 616 2012 Ford Escape listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2012 Ford Escape
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Ford Escape can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Ford Escape reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2012 Ford Escape has 619 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with nearby Escape model years (2010–2014), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Escape's typical year, while the 2013 drew 2,757 complaints.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Escape problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape are steering (142), fuel / propulsion system (139), engine (75), speed control / throttle (71). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Escape, including 15E045000 (suspension — front / wheel bearing) and 16V777000 (fuel system — delivery / fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Ford Escape compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 1,356 complaints and 3 recalls (caution); the 2013 has 2,757 complaints and 18 recalls (avoid). The 2012 has 619 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Ford Escape?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Escape research
Other Ford Escape model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Escape, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.