2012 Ford Escape recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Oct 18, 2026Steering
  [XXX]. We were pulling away from the gas pump with our children and the steering wheel suddenly stiffened on my husband and we almost hit another car! There was absolutely no warning and it was a scary experience. This should be fixed and it known issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
• Sep 2, 2026 · 44,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryVehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
  The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving in a parking lot at approximately 18-20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck a fence and an apartment building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a cut above the nose, right shoulder pain, and a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and declared a total loss. The failure mileage was 44,000.
• Sep 21, 2026Engine
  Check engine light having a single code P2111 occurring after reduction of power. Vehicle looses power at varying speeds including highway speeds. I have not had it professionally diagnosed. In the process of replacing the I A C. My research indicates that the NHTSA is in the process of investigating complaints of this component malfunctioning across several Ford model vehicles. The abrupt loss of forward momentum is a serious hazard to myself, passengers and vehicles behind me. This has now occurred on about seven occasions since late September. I will no longer drive this vehicle until I replace and test drive the new I A C on or about October 1, 2026.
• Dec 31, 1969Steering
  The power steering failed unexpectedly. I am not sure what the problem is but there is fluid all over the wheel well. I see that the was a recal on the power steering. How can I find out why my car was not included?
• Sep 24, 2026Steering
  I started the truck and began to back out of my parking spot but the steering was so stiff I couldn't turn so I shut it off. After about 3 minutes I stated it up and the steering was fine. The. It happened the next day while I was driving and that was terrifying!!! It became extremely difficult to steer so I found the strength to turn and park. After turning the truck off and on it was fine.. Now the truck is in my driveway and the steering so stiff that I'll have to leave it.
• Sep 16, 2026Structure › Body
  Sun roof is leaking into the passenger compartment. Car was typically parked under cover and not driven in inclement wether. Drain hose was found not to be clogged however water is leaking into the passenger compartment. Staining the headliner seats and collecting on the floors. The date is the most recent occurrence. The water falls into the vehicle and can short or cause fire to occur on the instrument panel, radio, shift mechanism, or HVAC control. This issue is documented on Ford vehicles containing the same component. Across different vehicles and model years. I believe a recall or TSB should be included on this vehicle.
• May 21, 2026Steering
  No power steering hard to turn left and right
• Mar 15, 2026Steering
  Vehicle: 2012 Ford Escape Issue: Loss of steering assist while driving While operating my vehicle, the power steering assist suddenly fails, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. This creates a dangerous driving condition and significantly increases the risk of an accident. This issue appears to match known problems with the electric power steering system in this vehicle, which has been the subject of recalls for similar model years. However, my VIN is not currently included. The failure has occurred while driving and has now made the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am requesting investigation into this issue and expansion of the recall to include additional affected vehicles,…

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• PE13003 · opened Feb 21, 2013 · closed Feb 28, 2014Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
  On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In…
• DP12006 · opened Oct 2, 2012 · closed Feb 21, 2013Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
  In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and…