There are 49 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2012 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I recently purchased a 2012 ford escape, and the engine runs loud, and after researching, I feel that the throttle body is not in working condition. I looked up recalls on this vehicle and there is an incomplete throttle body repair/replace open recall, but when I looked it up via NHTSA it said no recalls. I would like this issue resolved. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. I GOOGLED THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT IT IS PROBABLY THE ETB ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NHTSA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY REQUIRING FORD TO PROVIDE TOWING. INSTEAD NHTSA ONLY REQUIRED THAT FORD EXTEND THE WARRANTY AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS LEAVING FORD OWNERS AT RISK OF INJURY OR WORSE.
IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT, AFTER EXECUTING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED IN ORDER TO SLOW THEN STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP AS IT SURGED FORWARD. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING TO SLOW IT DOWN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JARRED BY STRIKING THE CURB THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDOL. SO MUCH POWER WAS APPLIED IN THE SURGE THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, TRAVELED OVER A A GRASS PLOT AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE. OUR FORD ESCAPE SUFFERED FRONT END DAMAGE (TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE) AND THE OTHER VEHICLE (A FORD ECO -BOOST) SUFFERED FRONT AND DRIVERS SIDE DAMAGE. NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT ABOUT ONE MPH (ALMOST TO A FULL STOP) WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED. AS IT SURGED THE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY TO ABOUT SEVEN TO TEN MPH. THE VEHICLES WERE NOT TOWED AT THE TIME BUT WHEN DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE HOME A SEVERE DEFECT IN THE STEERING (PULL TO THE LEFT) WAS NOTICED MAKING IT VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED FROM OUR DRIVEWAY TO THE BODY SHOP.
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR FORD ESCAPE 2012 ENGINE STALL/DIES WHILE DRIVING , ALMOST ON DAILY BASES NOW, AT ANY TRAVEL POINT AT ANY ROAD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT BUT NOW GOES. I TOOK THE PHOTO(JUST IN CASE TO PROVE IT) AND DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER PRINTOUT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED . I READ THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART UP TO 10 YEARS DUE TO DEFECT THROTTLE BODY . I WILL TAKE TO THE DEALER TOMORROW AND I WILL NOTIFY THEM TOO. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43150 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS TO BE FIX DUE TO A DANGEROUS ENGINE STALLING . "I PURCHASED IT RECENTLY"
I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD ESCAPE ON JULY 7, 2018 WHILE DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE BY USING THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S MAILBOX. I FINALLY SHUT OFF THE CAR TO MAKE IT STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED VERY HIGH BEFORE THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS POSITIONED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (TED BRITT FORD IN FAIRFAX, VA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
SUDDEN DECLERATION AND STALL WHILE IN HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY, LIKELY DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REDUCES SPEED CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL! AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND WHILE HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, I TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CAR RESUMES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY!
I WAS IN A TURN LANE TURNING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND LOST POWER. I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I COASTED THROUGH THE TURN AND HAD TO COAST ACROSS A LANE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TO GET PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT YET BUT FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IT SOUNDS LIKE THE THROTTLE BOX, WHICH FORD HAD UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY'VE HAD WITH IT. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED??? IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO LOSE ALL POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AVOIDED IF THEY WOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON IT YEARS AGO!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
CHRONIC (MANY TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS) HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED, AS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE FROM A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. ONLY A SECOND OR SO, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE ACCELERATION UNCERTAIN AND UNPREDICTABLE CAUSING SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS
ENGINE...SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN STATIONARY. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD NOT FIND THIS AFTER I DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND FOR AWHILE; DUE TO BEING IN THE GARAGE AND MOISTURE. SEED CONTROL...SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60- 65 MPH. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, SENT A MECHANIC OUT TO RIDE WITH ME IN THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAD HAPPENED I WAS ADVISED TO COME BACK AGAIN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I SAID I FELT UNSAFE AND FELT AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ME DRIVE ANOTHER "SAME" VEHICLE AND IT WAS JUST AS LOUD AT IDLE AND SEEMED NO BETTER. I LEFT IN MY VEHICLE UNSURE OF IT'S SAFETY AND PRAYED A LOT. I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH ANYWAY BUT LIMIT TRIPS NOW. I WANT TO BE SAFE. I WANT A SAFE VEHICLE.
REDUCED SPEED WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW TO IDLE CONDITION IN CITY DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 30 MPH
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2012 FROM ROBINSON FORD IN CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA. A FEW MONTHS (I CAN'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE) AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND AS I WAS BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AGAIN IN 2013, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS I WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP. THIS TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (RECORD ON FILE WITH THE DEALER) TO REPORT THE MATTER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2015 AT ~9PM AS I WAS BRAKING ON A SURFACE STREET TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND 'JUMP'. THIS TIME I HAD TWO WITNESSES IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THE SITUATION WAS FRIGHTENING TO SAY THE LEAST. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (ROBINSON FORD IN CALEXICO, CA 92231) WHERE THE SAME MECHANIC WHO LAST CHECKED THE VEHICLE (RAMON BALTAZAR) SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT HE COULD IDENTIFY (RECORD ON FILE WITH THE DEALER). I AM KNOW VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED THAT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE COULD RESULT IN ME HARMING SOMEONE SHOULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. IN FACT, I NOW KEEP A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ANYTIME I AM APPROACHING A STOP. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE OR CONFIDENT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RAPID REDUCTION OF SPEED AND SLOWED TO A CRAWL. WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE THEN DECELERATE RAPIDLY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF.
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO DROP TO A "SURGING" IDLE AND MANUAL THROTTLE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE DASH, AT THIS POINT, INDICATED THE CHECK ENGINE "WRENCH" LIGHT AND THE RPM INDICATOR SEEMED TO BOUNCE BETWEEN 300 TO 1000 RESPECTIVELY. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE THEN, RESPONDED NORMALLY WITH NO TROUBLE CODES INDICATED ON DASH. CODE READER: P2111. THIS VEHICLE IS OFFICIALLY USED FOR FIRE RESPONSE THROUGH MUNICIPAL 911 SERVICES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH FORCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN THE ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE DID A ONE EIGHTY DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES AND WHIPLASH, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. DURING THOSE FAILURES, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN TIMES AND THERE WOULD BE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR WHILE SHE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
FROM A STOPPED POSITION THEN EXCELLING OR WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR WILL STALL. AND WRENCH WILL APPEAR.
Showing 1–20 of 49 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026