2012 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 11%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Escape, 11% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The transmission in my Escape shifts badly. Has a lagging upshift from starts and a harsh downshift when coming to a stop a common problem with the 2012 Escape from what I have read. Took it to the dealer twice said nothing was wrong just the way the transmission is.”
NHTSA complaint #10787432, filed 2015-10, 46,000 miles“When my Escape is in the running mode, the engine does not sounds like a gas running vehicle, but it runs loud like a truck. When pressing the gas I have to press the gas pedal to the floor before moving at a good speed, the transmission slips into gears.”
NHTSA complaint #10503303, filed 2013-03, 6,412 miles“I have a 2012 Ford Escape. I have had it for a year and it just started acting up. The first time this happened was sept 12, 16 while I was headed to work. While accerlerating from being in park, the throttle body/ power train light illuminates causing the car to not accelerate like it should and a lot of squeaking comes from the car. So, I have to put the car in park and turn off the egnition. Once I turn it back on it goes back to driving normally. This has happened six times within 45 days.”
NHTSA complaint #10918097, filed 2016-10, 74,500 miles“I was getting ready to back into a my parking space, so I had just pulled into the parking lot (going forward) and came to almost a stop so I could put it into reverse and my car suddenly shut off. There were no warning lights on the dashboard, no sounds, nothing. Because it had never done this before and I had the car for almost 2 years, I thought I had done something to cause it. I started it back up and put it into reverse to back into the parking spot. It started just fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10705160, filed 2015-04, 31,500 miles“Leaving the parking space, the wrench light came on, the car began to loose power, putter and would not take gas. When the engine is shut off, the wrench light goes out and the car runs fine until the next time which was the day after I picked it up from the dealer service department on 7/30/2013. On 7/31/2013, the same problem began all over again and I had to return the SUV to the dealer again for repair. Each time it's happened, I was fearful for my life.”
NHTSA complaint #10532941, filed 2013-07, 16,643 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10075273Mar 15, 20166F35 TRANSMISSION - FLUID LEAK AT LEFT SIDE HALFSHAFT SEAL BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/14/2013 ISSUE Some 2009-2014 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2014 Fusion, 2010-2011 Milan…
- 10058067May 18, 2015Ford 2009-2014 escape, 2010-2014 fusion, 2012-2014 edge, explorer, 2013-2014 taurus: lincoln 2013-2014 mkt,mkz: mercury 2009- 2011 mariner, 2010-2011 milan. Some vehicles…
- 10057865Sep 1, 2014Ford: after powertrain control module reprogramming, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on with several diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p06b8, p068a, p2610, if key not left…
- 10056711Aug 26, 2014Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. Model…
- 10055321Mar 14, 2014Mercury/ford: on some vehicles, there is a fluid leakage, coming from left hand (lh) halfshaft seal of the automatic transmission and a service kit is available now, for repair…
- 10053656Nov 13, 2013Ford: due to an intermittent loss of rpm or lack of acceleration, in some vehicles, with illuminated wrench light, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p2111, p2112 may or may not be…
- 10054575Nov 1, 2013Ford: on the left hand half shaft seal, there is a fluid leak from the transmission because of wear on case bushing. Model 2009-2012 escape, 2009-2011 mariner, 2010-2012 fusion…
- 10205008Oct 14, 20136F35 Transmission - Fluid leak at left side halfshaft seal - built on or before 10/14/2013
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsSteering
140 complaintsEngine
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsBody and structure
68 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 29, 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