2012 Ford Escape Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 11/01/2026

73Engine complaints

12.1%Of all 604 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

STEERING139 · 23%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM137 · 22.7%

ENGINE73 · 12.1%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL69 · 11.4%

POWER TRAIN63 · 10.4%

Share of the 604 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Ford Escape overview page.

What owners report

“AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: CUSTOMER STATES DRIVE BELT COMING APART. CAUSE: WARRANTY CORRECTION: VERIFY BELT SHREDDED. FOUND WATER PUMP…”NHTSA complaint 10605304 — filed 06/23/2014

“AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: VERIFY CUST CONCERN, FIND THAT VEH SPINS OVER BUT WILL NOT START, INSTALL IDS &…”NHTSA complaint 10605232 — filed 06/23/2014

“AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT…”NHTSA complaint 10605215 — filed 06/23/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Ford Escape have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Ford Escape: 73 of 604 complaints on file (12.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Ford Escape have in total?

604 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Across all categories, 38 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 27 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 11/01/2026.