2012 Ford Escape Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 11%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Ford Escape, 11% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The hood flew open after driving down the road I checked the oil and made sure the hood was closed by attempting to lift it. I was on the road for about 3 minutes when the hood blew open damaging the hood and latches it was a windy day out my speed was around 30 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11318351, filed 2020-03, 160,000 miles“Hood latch failure I was driving down a straight road at 55mph and the hood just flew open. My view was obstructed by the hood. The hood was last opened approximately 3000 miles before the incident occurred. The hood is bent to the point it will not close and the windshield is severely cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #11088457, filed 2018-04, 83,036 miles“I have only owned this Escape 1.5 yrs. I just noticed this spring that the paint was coming off in the wheel well, now as of 7/7/2015 it has gotten bigger. As well as the rear hatch when you open it you can already see bubbling. My understanding by the paper work I received with it it was suppose to have had some kind of under body protection put on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10732497, filed 2015-07, 32,345 miles“I have owned this Escape for a little over 5 yrs (out of warranty). I just noticed this winter that the paint was bubbling and peeling off the rear passenger side fender. The inner fender well (same side) - the metal is warped and rusted. The lift gate on this vehicle has started to rust at the lower seam. Rust is visible. I think Ford motor company should step up to the plate and fix/repair this flaw. It is definately a defect or poor workmanship.”
NHTSA complaint #10947471, filed 2017-01, 55,000 miles“I purchased my 2012 Escape in august 2014,with approximately 29,000 miles on it. Within ten months, the air conditioner quit working. As I was pulling into a parking lot, smoke started coming out of the radiator area and a green substance was blowing out. The rear lift gate only opened some of the time, over the past year, and now does not open at all, possibly because water leaks through the hatch window, and has done so since I bought the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11013298, filed 2017-08, 39,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 5 | 5% |
| 2022 | 20 | 8% |
| 2021 | 92 | 26% |
| 2020 | 671 | 41% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 20 | 1% |
| 2017 | 62 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 36 | 3% |
| 2014 | 84 | 4% |
| 2013 | 87 | 3% |
| 2012 | 68 | 11% |
| 2011 | 43 | 3% |
| 2010 | 84 | 4% |
| 2009 | 32 | 2% |
| 2008 | 41 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 7% |
| 2006 | 63 | 14% |
| 2005 | 434 | 31% |
| 2004 | 138 | 28% |
| 2003 | 121 | 22% |
| 2002 | 87 | 8% |
| 2001 | 54 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsSteering
140 complaintsEngine
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
66 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsSuspension
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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