2012 Ford ESCAPE - Ratings, Complaints and Recalls

The 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 has an overall safety rating of 3 out of 5, which indicates a moderate level of safety. In terms of specific crash ratings, it scored 3 for both front and side crashes, with a stronger score of 4 for the side pole crash rating. This model comes equipped with electronic stability control, which is a valuable feature for improving vehicle stability in challenging driving conditions. However, it does not have forward collision warning or lane departure warning systems that could enhance its safety further by alerting drivers to potential hazards.

On the downside, there have been 554 complaints reported for this vehicle, which is a concerning number. Additionally, there have been 2 recalls and 2 investigations associated with the 2012 Ford Escape. These recalls and investigations indicate potential safety issues that should be addressed promptly to ensure the overall safety and reliability of the vehicle.

Top stats at a glance

Complaint Count

554

Recall Count

2

Investigation Count

2

Safety Rating

3/5

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Safety Features

2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 Safety Features

Here are the safety features that come as standard on the 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC is an advanced safety feature in vehicles designed to help drivers maintain control during challenging driving conditions. By continuously monitoring various factors such as steering angle, vehicle speed, and individual wheel speeds, ESC can detect and reduce the risk of skidding or loss of control. It achieves this by automatically applying brakes to specific wheels to stabilize the vehicle.

Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is a safety feature in vehicles that helps prevent frontal collisions by alerting the driver of an imminent collision with a vehicle or obstacle ahead. Using sensors such as radar or cameras, FCW monitors the distance and speed of vehicles in front, and if it detects a potential collision, it provides visual and/or auditory warnings to prompt the driver to take evasive action.

No
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is a safety feature in vehicles that alerts drivers when their vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane without signaling. Utilizing cameras or sensors to monitor lane markings on the road, LDW detects when the vehicle crosses these lines and triggers visual, auditory, or haptic alerts to notify the driver of potential lane departure.

No

2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 Safety Ratings

Here we have the crash and rollover ratings for the 2012 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 Where possible we've included the ratings for the oldest and latest models of this car so you can compare how the safety ratings have changed over time.

Frontal Crash Ratings

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Test 2005 Score 2012 Score 2022 Score
Overall Front Crash Rating Not Rated 3 5
Front Crash Driver Side Rating 4 2 5
Front Crash Passenger Side Rating 4 4 5

Side Crash Ratings

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Test 2005 Score 2012 Score 2022 Score
Overall Side Crash Rating Not Rated 3 5
Side Crash Drivers Side Rating 5 3 5
Side Crash Passenger Side Rating 5 3 5
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Front Not Rated 3 5
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Rear Not Rated 3 5
Overall Side Barrier Rating Not Rated 3 5

Rollover Ratings

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Test 2005 Score 2012 Score 2022 Score
Rollover Rating 3 3 4
Rollover Possibility % 0% 0% 0%
Dynamic Tip Result Tip No Tip No Tip
Side Pole Crash Rating Not Rated 4 5

Complaints for the 2012 Ford ESCAPE

This chart show the number of complaints for each car component. A Higher number of complaints could indicate that this car might have a common fault. Something to look out for when purchasing one.

Component Complaints

Choose a component to see what complaints people have made about them.

Complaint:
"12/3/2020 recall 16s41-fuel delivery module flange replacement was performed on vehicle at ford dealership. upon starting the vehicle, i noticed a long crank & engine light was on. technician advised the issue would resolve itself in a few days. it did not. 12/16/2020 returned to ford dealership for for diagnostic of long crank & engine light. techs determined there was a defect in the hose. according to them, they replaced the faulty part and issue was fixed. it was not. i was advised again, after some time the issue would be resolved. it was not. 05/5/21 returned to ford dealership for diagnostic & repair of same. techs advised they replaced a clamp, and that the fuel delivery module installed was defective(again) causing a leak down. they refused liability and advised i needed the fuel pump replaced at my own expense($628). i declined."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2022-09-07

Complaint:
"after the fuel line recall was repaired in 2020 the engine stutters before it cranks completely. i reached out to ford and the only thing they did was offer 20 dollars off the diagnostic fee at the dealership."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2022-03-02

Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape. while driving at an unknown rate of speed, the check engine indicator illuminated. the contact also stated that the check fuel intake lid indicator illuminated intermittently after filling the vehicle with fuel. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 16v777000 (fuel system, gasoline). the dealer and manufacturer were not notified. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure mileage was unknown."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2018-02-01

Complaint:
"check engine light on when driving and when parked and engine running and smell of raw gas fumes near left rear wheel area. shop tested found code p0456 traced to cracked and leaking electric fuel pump. replaced pump now ok . in checking i found there was a recall #16s41 for 2012 escape with v6 engine , my car is a 4 cyl . not incl. in recall but produced in same production sequence production date 8-11 sales date 11-19-2011 the above recall was for leaking fuel pump .i believe my car should have been recalled also . i contacted dealer they referred me to ford co. filed case #cas-21767319 on 5-29-19 ford said no recall ,sorry no help with repair bill .i believe this should have been recalled as a safety hazard also covered under emission warranty 8 yeas or 80,000 miles i wrote to dealer 9-12-2019 no response car had 79.795 at time of repair. i still have the car and the defective fuel pump if inspection is required. this condition was on public street and private property moving and stationary. my car could have been involved in a fire if the cause of the fuel leak wasn't detected."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2020-12-05

Complaint:
"after performing the recall the problem continue showing check fuel tank inlet..in the panel and then checking engine ligth on ..its been a solid problem for the last few years and ford should get the rigth way to fix the problem"
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2019-08-11

Complaint:
"after having the recall 16s41 fuel delivery module flange replacement service, my vehicle would occasionally not successfully start but would continue to try. i called the dealership where it was serviced and they took a look, but found nothing. less than two months have passed and i notice new issues; vehicle chugs down the highway almost boggy-like; when filling with gasoline the pump stops at 3/4 tank and not full; spits gasoline back out; overall sounds significantly different running."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2020-01-07

Complaint:
"evaporation system leak occurred and fuel tank pipe assembly had to be replaced. car did not start and needed to be towed."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2020-05-04

Complaint:
"upon leaving work on july 31st 2018 i noticed an odd smell as i approached my 2012 ford escape limited. upon getting closer to the car i noticed the smell was gas. i was alarmed thinking my vehicle may not start or could possibly explode if i tried. when opening the door the smell was unbearable. after calling my son he said that there was a recall for my generation ford for a cracking fuel pump. he said it will be safe to start but will be leaking gas everywhere so keep an eye on the gauge. after starting the car i noticed that the gas level was almost 1/2 a tank lower than when i arrived just 8 hours before. i rolled all four windows down and drove the car the shop i've been visiting and trust. they took my vehicle in on august 1st 2018 and said that they will look into it. after diagnosing the problem they discovered it that the fuel pump was cracked. with only 31,000 miles. after attempting to reach the dealer and the ford customer service program they told me that the vehicle is not covered under the recall issued by nhtsa. this vehicle seems to fall in every category other than a seven month difference on the build number. ford said that they are unable to assist me in recovering my money for a recall that is on the same year make model and trim level."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2018-01-08

Complaint:
"on approximately may 25, 2019, i was at a local gas station to fill up my vehicle, a 2012 ford escape xlt, with gas. while filling the gas tank to full, the automatic shut off failed causing gas to forcefully splash back out of the gas tank, onto me and the ground next to the gas pump. the attendant at the gas station followed their protocol for a gas spill. i filled up the gas take at other local gas stations and the problem continued. on june 5, 2019 i scheduled a repair at my local ford dealership. i paid for a faulty vent valve and a solenoid asy to be replaced for $ 463.08. they stated on my receipt that they added 6 gallons of gas to confirm the repair. a week later i refueled my vehicle in another city, and the problem with the gas overflowing continued. i took the vehicle back to the ford dealership july 5, 2019, and explained the problem was not resolved. they told me they dropped the gas tank and tested the components and told me it was a faulty valve. they informed me "they talked to detroit" and i would need to replace the "gas tank assembly" and i would be given a "discount" on the repair since i had paid almost $500 for the first repair. the estimate for the second repair was $1,000. i asked of there was a warranty on the repair that was done previously, and was told no. i did not get the repair done this time because the problem was supposed to be corrected and wasn't. there apparently is not warranty on the repair that was done. i am shocked that it will cost an estimated $1,000 more to repair a problem that they said was fixed, and possibly no guarantee on the repairs. after contacting the ford motor company in michigan, i was told the individual dealerships are in charge of their customer service and that ford corporate couldn't help with my problem. i contacted this agency and was given this case number-11234836."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2019-05-06

Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape. while fueling the vehicle, fuel spewed out of the tank. the vehicle was taken to valley ford (509-453-3125, located at 910 s 1st st, yakima, wa 98901) where the vent valve and solenoid were replaced; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but could not be repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 110,364."
Components Involved: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Date of incident: 2021-01-05

Recalls for the 2012 Ford ESCAPE

Component Recalls

Choose a component to see what recalls people have made about them.

Recall:
"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."
Consequence:
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.

Component(s) Involved: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE > DELIVERY > FUEL PUMP
Date of incident: 2016-10-26

FORD Overall Complaint Ranking

This table shows the ranking of car manufacturers when it comes to most complaints and recalls. The manufacturer with the most complaints is at the top. However this doesn't necassarily mean they should be avoided. Some manufacturers might just have more popular or affordable cars which a lot of people have bought. Which means there's more scope for a complaint to be made. Use the ranking table below as a part your wider research into buying a car.

FORD ranks 1 out of 44 in the complaints ranking table.

Manufacturer Complaint Count Recall Count Ranking
FORD 208,358 3,259 1
CHEVROLET 111,306 2,082 2
TOYOTA 81,019 1,852 3
HONDA 61,937 1,268 4
NISSAN 56,226 930 5
DODGE 45,756 827 6
HYUNDAI 44,150 649 7
GMC 34,441 1,410 8
KIA 29,832 501 9
CHRYSLER 27,698 254 10
TESLA 26,230 730 11
BMW 24,890 1,877 12
VOLKSWAGEN 23,125 829 13
MERCEDES-BENZ 19,066 2,925 14
SUBARU 18,513 703 15
MAZDA 10,599 364 16
PONTIAC 10,430 138 17
CADILLAC 9,434 444 18
AUDI 7,865 1,093 19
BUICK 7,851 279 20
SATURN 7,672 84 21
MERCURY 7,374 135 22
LEXUS 6,373 408 23
LINCOLN 5,897 423 24
ACURA 5,722 382 25
MINI 5,585 366 26
INFINITI 4,000 187 27
MITSUBISHI 3,912 397 28
VOLVO 3,875 727 29
PORSCHE 2,646 1,231 30
SUZUKI 2,272 123 31
FIAT 2,205 80 32
SAAB 1,536 76 33
JAGUAR 1,195 198 34
SMART 528 17 35
GENESIS 436 42 36
ISUZU 249 37 37
ALFA ROMEO 161 37 38
MASERATI 76 46 39
BENTLEY 46 159 40
POLESTAR 42 2 41
LUCID 14 6 42
CODA 4 2 43
MAYBACH 0 0 44

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