2012 Ford Escape Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 70about this part
- Share
- 12%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,525miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 70 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2012 Ford Escape, 12% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,525 miles. 8 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11278709, filed 2019-11, 47,900 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11114411, filed 2018-07, 43,150 miles“I was driving my Escape about 15 MPH and went to accelerate. When I pushed the gas pedal down, the total car did nothing. I just hesitated and stumbled then finally accelerated. It has done this since new, but thought it was just the drive by wire system they use now. This makes me nervous if in a sudden avoidance situation and can't avoid it.”
NHTSA complaint #10501078, filed 2013-03, 69,016 miles“Within the last week, I have experienced repeated incidents of stalling when in traffic and trying to accelerate from a stop. There were no warning signs prior to the initial failure or prior to subsequent failures. I am afraid that if this continues it could end up in a wreck with someone getting injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10520292, filed 2013-06, 48,000 miles“This occurs sporatically - the gas will stop responding and the car will completely decelerate while I am driving. The wrench sign appears and the car is still running, but I am unable to accelerate. It usually happens while I'm driving at high speeds on the interstate. I have to pull over to the side of the road, the car sputters a bit, and if I turn off the car and turn it back on I am able to continue driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10542292, filed 2013-09, 56,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% |
| 2022 | 9 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 20 | 1% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 31 | 1% |
| 2016 | 32 | 3% |
| 2015 | 14 | 1% |
| 2014 | 42 | 2% |
| 2013 | 92 | 3% |
| 2012 | 70 | 12% |
| 2011 | 245 | 19% |
| 2010 | 558 | 27% |
| 2009 | 279 | 16% |
| 2008 | 175 | 9% |
| 2007 | 40 | 16% |
| 2006 | 99 | 21% |
| 2005 | 149 | 11% |
| 2004 | 98 | 20% |
| 2003 | 90 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 10% |
| 2001 | 107 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Escape
160 complaintsSteering
140 complaintsEngine
73 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 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 30, 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