2012 Ford Escape Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 598 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH) THE FIRST TWO TIMES VEHICLE LOST POWER, THROTTLE/POWER TRAIN LIGHT ON, WENT TO IDLE. FORCED TO SHOULDER, SHUTOFF VEHICLE, RESTART…”NHTSA complaint 10614698 — filed 07/19/2014
“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.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Ford Escape have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Ford Escape: 63 of 598 complaints on file (10.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Ford Escape have in total?
598 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 37 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 26 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
