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Ford Escape HybridModel year report

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
32 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 34 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (13% of the total), followed by engine (2) and fuel system (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 83% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

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 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11062898, filed 2018-01, 120,000 miles

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10924867, filed 2016-11, 48,000 miles

Fuel 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”

NHTSA complaint #11025305, filed 2017-09

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.”

NHTSA complaint #10690811, filed 2015-02, 4,222 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

83% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,252 and 48,000 miles.

17%0–1025%10–2542%25–508%50–750%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2013201420152016320172018320192020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Escape Hybrid AWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT302729$2,300
Escape Hybrid FWD2.5L 4-cyl · hybridCVT343032$2,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.

Other model years of the Ford Escape Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023248,0000———Too new
20227045,0000——50 · TypicalRising
202112436,7021——81 · MoreRising
202029028,4001——100 · MoreRising
2013593,0000———Not enough data
20121538,0000—32—Falling
20113779,0000—320 · FewerRising
20105977,6280—320 · FewerRising
200915390,0000—3234 · FewerFalling
200844395,2500—3251 · TypicalFalling
200712491,3890—30Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2006219100,0000—29Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2005178101,0190—29Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Ford Escape Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (13% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid (Escape Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 32 mpg combined, 34 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,000 miles and the middle half falls between 17,252 and 48,000 miles; 83% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.