CarBrief

NHTSA has 619 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Escape[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 142 complaints[2].

619owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
20–32MPG combined (EPA)[4]
3★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in NHTSA's file for this Escape, biggest first.

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name several components.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Escape is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Escape Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 34 / 30 / 32 $2,100
Escape FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[14] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200
Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
Escape Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] 30 / 27 / 29 $2,300
Escape AWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive[18] 18 / 23 / 20 $3,350
Escape AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[19] 20 / 26 / 23 $2,900

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV 4x2[5] 3 3 3 3 23.7%
SUV 4x4[20] 3 3 3 3 20.4%
SUV 4x2[21] 3 3 3 3 23.7%
SUV 4x4[22] 3 3 3 3 20.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2012 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder[23] 171 to 175 hp
2012 Ford Escape with 3.0L 6-cylinder[24] 240 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

2001: 996 complaints, 13 recalls20012002: 1,027 complaints, 8 recalls2003: 558 complaints, 7 recalls2004: 499 complaints, 6 recalls20042005: 1,584 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 720 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 393 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 2,417 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 1,846 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 2,129 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 619 complaints, 1 recalls61920122013: 2,756 complaints, 18 recalls20132014: 2,089 complaints, 16 recalls2015: 1,125 complaints, 9 recalls2016: 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 2,700 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 1,820 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 596 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls2021: 496 complaints, 21 recalls2022: 385 complaints, 21 recalls20222023: 138 complaints, 13 recalls2024: 88 complaints, 10 recalls2025: 31 complaints, 10 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Escape model year. The 2012 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200199613
20021,0278
20035587
20044996
20051,5844
20067204
20073932
20082,4173
20091,8461
20102,1293
20111,3552
20126191
20132,75618
20142,08916
20151,1259
20161,1624
20172,7004
20181,8204
20195963
20201,90225
202149621
202238521
202313813
20248810
20253110
202643

NHTSA's counts for the Escape show 619 complaints and 1 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 26 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 15 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2013 (2,756)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Escape?

The 2012 Escape has 619 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Steering and fuel or propulsion complaints lead the list, with 142[2] and 139[6]. Owners describe trouble that came and went, which made it hard for shops to pin down. The file also shows 1 recall for this year[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners report and not as a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Escape?
Steering has the most complaints, with 142[2]. Fuel/Propulsion System follows with 139[6] and Engine with 81[7]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape have recalls?
The file shows 1 recall for 2012[3]. The recalls section on this page lists it.
How many complaints does the 2012 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA has 619 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
Is the 2012 Ford Escape reliable?
The complaint record has 619 reports[1], led by steering[2] and fuel or propulsion[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so see the year comparison section on this page before you decide.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Escape get?
See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Escape

Compare all model years of the Ford Escape

Other Ford models from 2012

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2012: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 619 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Escape (41 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 142 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,587). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Escape model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Escape Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 30 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 139 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 81 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 71 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,060). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 70 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 67 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 45 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 16V777, filed October 26, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Escape FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Escape Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 27 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Escape AWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Escape AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 3 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 171 to 175 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Escape with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 240 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.