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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Escape 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Ford Escape: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

603Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
63Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Fuel and Propulsion System163 complaints

163 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V777000.

Steering140 complaints

140 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine79 complaints

79 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure68 complaints

68 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train66 complaints

66 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

16V777000Reported October 26, 2016 - 329,265 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on October 26, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 329,265 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP12006Opened October 2, 2012 - Closed February 21, 2013

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE13003Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed February 28, 2014

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20112
201222
201351
201445
201542
201647
201771
2018119
201951
202019
202137
202220
202326
202419
202521
202611
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.