2012 Ford Escape problems
Owners have filed 798 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 17.4% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel/propulsion system at 17.2%.
Complaints798
Crashes59
Fires4
Injuries34
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 17.4% · 139
Fuel/propulsion system 17.2% · 137
Engine 9.1% · 73
Vehicle speed control 8.8% · 70
Structure 8.5% · 68
Power train 8.3% · 66
Unknown or other 5.5% · 44
Electrical system 5.3% · 42
Severity
Of those complaints, 59 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 34 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 24 model years of the Ford Escape in this data, 2012 sits 15th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 59 in the last three years against 98 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 52,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While the contact's wife was driving 20 mph, the steering seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to damerow Ford (12325 sw canyon rd, beaverton, or 97005, 800-732-8633) where it was diagnosed that a steering sensor fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that nothing could be done. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Steering · reported at 90,000 miles
Power steering was not working upon starting vehicle. Extremely hard to steer. If this had occurred at road speeds, particularly on curves it could have resulted in a loss of control and potentially life. Extremely frightening, especially as a quick search of the internet found it has occurred for many people and there was a recall for similar issue on prior years of Ford Escape. I am petrified to drive my car. Steering
Turning the vehicle becomes very strenuous/heavy while driving at lower speeds (into parking lots, driveways, etc). Difficulty turning is noticed mostly during right hand turns. The steering wheel also will not turn itself back after making a turn. All of the issues I have experienced with the electronic power steering system is consistent with the power steering recall which only included Ford escapes up to 2011. Steering · reported at 115,950 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…