2012 Ford Escape Hybrid
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
15 complaints3 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
Tla* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became very difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was corrected and the vehicle operated as designed. The…
Tla* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss power steering assist and became very difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was corrected and the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to ramp ford located at 4869 nesconset hwy, port jefferson station, ny 11776 however, the mechanic was able to duplicate the failure. No repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.*dt*jb
- Visibility/wiper
I turned on my back window defroster and was driving down the road when the window exploded/shattered thereby almost causing me to get into an accident.
- Seats · Structure › Body
My 2012 ford escape hybrid has rust covering the entire underside of the vehicle. I never noticed it until yesterday when I noticed some rust under the wheel well. When I looked under the car I was horrified. The rust IS really bad and it's eating through to the interior. When I looked closely I…
My 2012 ford escape hybrid has rust covering the entire underside of the vehicle. I never noticed it until yesterday when I noticed some rust under the wheel well. When I looked under the car I was horrified. The rust IS really bad and it's eating through to the interior. When I looked closely I saw rust under both seats on the brackets. When I looked under the carpet I can see that it's affecting the interior upholstery. It IS totally unacceptable to have this amount of rust on a vehicle that IS six years old. I think it might be dangerous to drive the car. The entire underside needs to be replaced. I checked around online last night and it will likely cost a lot to repair the problem if it can be repaired at all. Last year I did notice that the vehicle was always humid on the inside but I didn't think to look for rust on a car this new. The part that really angers me IS that there are only 36,000 miles on the car and I planned to drive it for years. It had an extended warranty and service contract with ford. The warranty expired last year. I really think it IS unsafe to drive due to the extent of the rust. Should I take it to the dealership even though I know they won't fix it? What should I do? I will take some photos in the daylight and add them to this report.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
TL* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape hybrid. While driving approximately 65 mph, the hood suddenly flew up and crashed into the windshield without warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to gaudin ford (6625 w. Roy horn way, las vegas, NV 89118, 702-534-3094) where the technician…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape hybrid. While driving approximately 65 mph, the hood suddenly flew up and crashed into the windshield without warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to gaudin ford (6625 w. Roy horn way, las vegas, NV 89118, 702-534-3094) where the technician stated that they were not aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. *Tt
- Service brakes
5 weeks ago the brake warning light on the dash lit up. I called the ford dealership and they could not get me in for 3 weeks. I was planning on going on a vacation around that time, so decided to wait until after I got back. unfortunately, 2 days prior to my trip, while driving on a city street…
5 weeks ago the brake warning light on the dash lit up. I called the ford dealership and they could not get me in for 3 weeks. I was planning on going on a vacation around that time, so decided to wait until after I got back. unfortunately, 2 days prior to my trip, while driving on a city street the brakes completely failed. the only thing that saved me from a serious accident was downshifting and turning the ignition off which when I restarted it rebooted the brakes for a while, enough to get me to the ford dealer. it has been in the shop for almost three weeks and they are still not sure what the problem IS. they would like to replace the master cylinder and the hydraulic pump (for $5000.00) which I am hesitant to authorize. I do not believe in a 6 year old vehicle that this IS normal wear and tear. in doing research on line I have discovered numerous similar stories on different years of the same vehicle, especially 2008. I think this IS a dangerous manufacturing issue and would like it investigated to see how many other similar cases are involved and if any fatalities have occurred as a result. *Tt *tr
- Power train
Takata recall car would not accelerate and computer wrench sighn 10light appeared at a red light in the city car drive very slow pulled over shut car off and it started with wrench light went off .
- Fuel/propulsion system
Recall #16s41/nhtsa 16v-777 rec notice in december 2016 have called dealer and corp also and keep getting told part not done yet or no way to fix I do smell gas everytime I fill up and now I smell it on random times especially when raining and going thru puddle smell of fumes gas in vehicle last called today 9/25/2017
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system · Unknown or other
I own a 2012 ford escape and have had it in the shop over ten times. I have brought it in for transmission issues and check engine lights coming on. Multiple times they have gave me an oil change and cleaned the solenoids. My transmission still sputters and once again my check engine light has come…
I own a 2012 ford escape and have had it in the shop over ten times. I have brought it in for transmission issues and check engine lights coming on. Multiple times they have gave me an oil change and cleaned the solenoids. My transmission still sputters and once again my check engine light has come back on. One time I lost complete power and was almost killed in an intersection. If anyone wants to take my car for testing they can. I don't know what to do anymore and am scared that someone IS going to get killed. Ford needs to be held responsible for fixing this issue. I have heard from multiple sites that this IS a huge issue. The engine has been described to me like a helicopter and when it shifts like I am a nascar driver
- Structure › Body
Traveling on 4 lane street and making a right turn onto a 2 lane street; as I was making the turn my locked driver side door flew open-terrifying. just that am had read in the local paper there was a recall of these cars for this reason. Got home and called vista ford of oxnard where I had…
Traveling on 4 lane street and making a right turn onto a 2 lane street; as I was making the turn my locked driver side door flew open-terrifying. just that am had read in the local paper there was a recall of these cars for this reason. Got home and called vista ford of oxnard where I had purchased the vehicle they said my vin number did not have a recall on it but scheduled an apt for the following wednesday-earliest I could get. Saturday am I called the ford 800 number and they got me in right away to dch ford in thousand oaks. when I arrived the technician -rj drove the car and said the door didn't open; he repeatedly said the door must have been open and I insisted that it was closed and locked we had a bit of a sparring session as he insisted nothing was wrong with the car and wanted $150 to take it apart. I noted there IS a recall but since mine was not listed he said it would be $547 to change the lock-i am totally incensed and insisted that ford knew there IS a problem and they should change it rather than jeopardize my safety. what are my options to resolve this issue? have a call in to an attorney who specializes in this area but really don't want to go that route.
- Air bags
We were traveling on a major freeway in los angeles california when on july 2 ,2015 we were rear ended at 110 mph, we then spun completely around 3 times and finally coming to a stop after hitting head on a concrete shoulder wall. The driver suffered 3 broken ribs and whiplash. the passenger…
We were traveling on a major freeway in los angeles california when on july 2 ,2015 we were rear ended at 110 mph, we then spun completely around 3 times and finally coming to a stop after hitting head on a concrete shoulder wall. The driver suffered 3 broken ribs and whiplash. the passenger suffered whiplash and a broken right hand. she wore a cast for over 2 months and IS now requiring hand surgery to put in metal screws and a plate. The passenger IS right handed so this has made it very difficult to do just simple task. eating, restroom, showering, driving and writing just to name a few things that she can't do also she needs dental work over $10,000. She IS in severe pain all the time. she IS very limited on the few things she can do. At no time did either air bag deploy. The other driver's air bag deployed upon impact. The chp ( california highway patrol) could not believe that the air bags never deployed do to the severity of the crash. We have spoken with lots of friends and acquaintances that own fords, and have been told that they also had problems with air bags not deploying upon impact. some were in fender benders and some more serious accidents. We need to find out if any one else has had the same problem. The air bags were not turned off as this was a company vehicle.
- Electrical system · Engine · Equipment adaptive/mobility
4/29/15 this escape was purchased 8/17/12 delivered with 35 miles, presently at 17532 was scheduled a week in advance, and to be serviced on 4/06/15, verbal/written consent to repairs. The mileage was 17532 at the time of delivery to inver grove ford, an authorized ford motor co. Dealership.…
4/29/15 this escape was purchased 8/17/12 delivered with 35 miles, presently at 17532 was scheduled a week in advance, and to be serviced on 4/06/15, verbal/written consent to repairs. The mileage was 17532 at the time of delivery to inver grove ford, an authorized ford motor co. Dealership. Please note, the vehicle has only been serviced at authorized ford dealership's, and current in service records. rear view camera, (works intermittently) with black squiggly lines when vehicle IS in reverse. Still under warranty. the moon roof has leaked and 3 attempted repairs were made within months of original purchase. The leak caused stains to the interior roof. the moonroof has never seeded properly and IS under warranty. the electrical driver cockpit IS unstable and works with periodic shortages. a ford authorized/ford part, remote starter installed, interior roof cover does not fix properly, was damaged with at time of the ford part being installed at a ford dealership. They tore the front hood, replaced it with a non fitting roof interior cover. *tr
- Steering
I was driving and without any warning or indicators the power steering failed causing sudden loss of power steering assist. I was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the road with great effort. It IS the same thing that happened with some 2011 ford escape models made at the same plant in kansas city and those vehicles where recalled.
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Rear drivers side window, exploded when I closed the hatch. the vehicle was parked in the garage and I had unloaded what was in the vehicle and then closed the hatch and heard a loud pop and then shards of glass flew everywhere. luckily I was not hurt but did have marks on my chest area from the flying glass. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
In both incidents and there were two I was driving about 15 mph or less when the vehicle just accelerated and I was unable to stop it using the brakes. in the first incident there was a vehicle in front of me and one coming at me in the other lane too. I swerved to the right and was forced to jump…
In both incidents and there were two I was driving about 15 mph or less when the vehicle just accelerated and I was unable to stop it using the brakes. in the first incident there was a vehicle in front of me and one coming at me in the other lane too. I swerved to the right and was forced to jump a curb flattening the tires and damaging the wheels. after about 15 seconds, the vehicle just slowed and returned to normal operation. I took the vehicle to the dealer where I bought it lou fusz ford in chesterfield , mo to have repairs made but they were unable to determine any problems. in the 2ND incident I was on a residential street, when again the vehicle just accelerated and I was unable to control it striking a mailbox and basketball upright. again, this continued for about 15 seconds and then it just slowed to normal. I contacted ford after both incidents and they denied any responsibility. now I am stuck with this vehicle. I can't in good conscience sell it to another individual and the value in trade to the dealer where I bought it IS next to nothing with these accidents on its record. please advise if you can help me. thank you. *tr the consumer stated the second time the sudden acceleration occurred, he struck a basketball stand and a mailbox. Before the vehicle finally came to a stop on the front lawn of a home. Once again, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. However, they were unable to find anything wrong.
- Service brakes
After starting the car and backing out of my garage the brakes do not work. All of the warning lights come on saying check brakes. There are no codes when evaluated by the dealership. If the car IS turned off and then on, the brakes work and the warning lights go off. this week, I was notified by…
After starting the car and backing out of my garage the brakes do not work. All of the warning lights come on saying check brakes. There are no codes when evaluated by the dealership. If the car IS turned off and then on, the brakes work and the warning lights go off. this week, I was notified by the dealership that the brakes fail because I am stepping on the brake before starting the car. they say this results in bleeding pressure from the brakes which may result in the brakes failing. The solution, according to them, IS to not step on the brakes before starting the car. they claim this IS normal. I have spoken to the ford service line and they have reiterated that there IS nothing wrong with my car and that this IS normal. I have been told by several people in the service department at my dealership, that there have been similar complaints by others. I am concerned that since it IS normal (and necessary in several makes of cars eg. Toyota, mercedes and BMW) to have to step on the brake in order to start the car, that people could be injured since ford considers this "normal". the owners manual does not say that one should not step on the brakes before starting the car. the brake failure incidents have occurred approximately 7 times over the past 9 months. it did occur once when going forward. *tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
- Electronic 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…
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 engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10205031Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
- 10183767Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (FDIM) or an improper software configuration of the FDIM.
- 10109036Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery control module (TBCM). These codes by themselves normally do not result in any symptoms that are noticeable to the customer. DTCs P0A81/P0A96 are typically found when diagnosing other drivability concerns. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
- 10057834Ford: no service action IS recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open.
- 10053408Ford: on various vehicles with my touch,after any apim programming, replacement or disconnect from front display interface module (fdim), touchscreen calibration must be performed. Model years 2011-2013. No models listed.
- 10044540Ford: due to a possible leak in the internal check valve, the red brake lamp illuminates with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1015, c0101c or p1a1b with brake pedal feeling no change.
Every Ford Escape Hybrid model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.