2012 Ford Escape Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,186miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Ford Escape, 1% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,186 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It was approximately 9am and I had just exited the freeway (been driving for about 20 min) and I took a right off the exit ramp onto a secondary street. I was going about 40 and starting to slow down for a yellow light, when the car just died. No warning, no lights (that I remembered, because I panicked), no sounds. I was in the far left lane and so I immediately tried to start the car. Nothing. No sounds, nothing. I then turned on my flashers. Tried to start the car again, nothing. I waited about 3 min. And tried again and it started right up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565047, filed 2014-02, 31,000 miles“1. While highway cruising at constant speed, engine suddenly dropped to idle speed and vehicle slowed rapidly, until gas pedal was lifted and pressed down again. Engine hesitated and surged. Processed kept repeating at variable intervals. 2. Transmission intermittently hesitates excessively on first to second upshift while engine drops to idle speed. Both problems are intermittent, neither is regular or constant. Dealer says nothing wrong and no fault codes are recorded. Problem #1 is very infrequent . Problem #2 much more common. Both might be related to summer temperatures, especially #1.”
NHTSA complaint #10480521, filed 2012-10, 1,750 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that rodents destroyed the wiring in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter sensor and the fuel cap sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10884650, filed 2016-07, 51,000 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate while accelerating. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would decelerate when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 500. Updated 03/16/12 updated 05/03/12”
NHTSA complaint #10449214, filed 2012-02, 500 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and decelerating, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal function. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure and current mileage was 15,371. Updated 04/10/13 the dealer stated the computer did not register a problem. Updated 04/18/13 updated 11/19/13 updated 11/26/2013”
NHTSA complaint #10503163, filed 2013-03, 15,371 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10177599Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10177598Jun 3, 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10043648Jan 1, 2012Ford: the variable camshaft timing vct) solenoid movement may be temporarily restricted due to debris in engine oil that is causing diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs).
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 1% |
| 2019 | 94 | 16% |
| 2018 | 345 | 19% |
| 2017 | 509 | 19% |
| 2016 | 57 | 5% |
| 2015 | 44 | 4% |
| 2014 | 187 | 9% |
| 2013 | 175 | 6% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 17 | 1% |
| 2010 | 35 | 2% |
| 2009 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 38 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 90 | 6% |
| 2004 | 18 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 294 | 29% |
| 2001 | 282 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsSteering
140 complaintsEngine
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
66 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology