67 of the
792 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape are about the
body and structure — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
57,000 miles.
Sub frame cracked,due to corrosion.Broke Lower control arm. I could not steer my SUV. I was terrified.The noise was so loud. This happened a road away from my home. I called AAA. They came and towed my vehicle to my driveway. I don’t understand why Ford company did not send me a recall. I could have been killed.I was on the highway a day before.I have researched and found this to be a safety concern for Ford Escape 2012. My SUV has 60.000 miles and is in very good condition. I have taken great care of my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11619540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBloomington, IN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the right while stopping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the passenger's side engine cradle subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11605794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dearborn, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
While doing an exhaust inspection on my car, I noticed the front subframe is rusted completely through on the right hand side near the rear lower control are bushing. This is a major structural component of the vehicle and I believe it is a huge safety risk driving it. The car has around 114,000 miles on it. I feel Ford should issue a recall and replace these rusted trough front subframes. I cannot afford to replace it at the cost of $2000 including labor. Please help, thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11576912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Paul, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY
Was informed by my mechanic that the subframe has rusted out and is a safety issue. There is also excessive rust for the car's age and level of maintenance in the rear wheel wells.
NHTSA complaint #11570605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesCommerce, GA
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a hole in the sub frame cradle due to rust. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11549780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesHazel Park, MI
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rusted and fractured mounts; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11534906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baxter, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY
Excess Rust on both rear fenders in matching pattern. I've seen this exact issue on other Ford Escapes and there are many reports about it.
NHTSA complaint #11509320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, OR
STRUCTURE:BODY
Both rear doors will not open from inside or outside. No way to take panels off to repair. Can’t exit in case of emergency.
NHTSA complaint #11506055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pekin, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame rotted out under normal use.
NHTSA complaint #11473803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fostoria, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
Unknown. Both rear wheel wells are rusting away. Chunks of this falls off while I’m driving. I do believe that falling rusty chunks of metal may harm another driver that will either run over it and flatten a tire. Or that someone may swerve to miss a piece and cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11470986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesLebanon, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that water entered the vehicle through an unknown opening in the trunk. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11424107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RI
STRUCTURE:BODY
OVER THE BACK WHEEL WELL BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THEN IS RUST AND CORROSION THAT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. BIG PIECES ARE BREAKING OFF MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY. I FEEL THERE IS SO FAILURE OR DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD
NHTSA complaint #11398535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RI
STRUCTURE:BODY
OVER THE BACK WHEEL WELL BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THEN IS RUST AND CORROSION THAT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. BIG PIECES ARE BREAKING OFF MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY. I FEEL THERE IS SO FAILURE OR DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD
NHTSA complaint #11398539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesWarrick, RI
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUST OVER THE TWO REAR WHEEL WELLS. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FLOOD FORD OF EAST GREENWICH (2545 S COUNTY TRAIL, EAST GREENWICH, RI 02818, (401) 884-4000) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ISSUE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WINTER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11398549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesNorfolk, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER SEEMS TO BE COMING THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THROUGH A FAULTY WINDOW SEAL OR DOOR SEAL.
NHTSA complaint #11343203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesCleveland, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLOSED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH TO AVOID THE HOOD BECOMING UNLATCHED AGAIN. CLEVELAND FORD (2496 S LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN 37311, (423) 218-1622) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD AND THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT A GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11320427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPeoria, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesSound Beach, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER DOOR SEAL (TOP) LEAKS TO THE POINT OF THERE BEING 2 INCHES OF WATER ON DRIVER FLOOR. ALSO WATER IS GETTING INSIDE THE DOOR, WHICH IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES AT DEALER & LEAK STILL EXISTS. THIS IS CAUSING MOLD & RUST IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER OR THE INEXCUSABLE REPAIR WORK OF ATLANTIC AUTOMALL, BUT IT'S BECOMING A REAL SAFETY ISSUE & ATLANTIC AUTOMALL HAS BEEN REFUSING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OR EVEN RESPOND TO MY CALLS
NHTSA complaint #11311785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesMattoon, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. BOTH BRACKETS THAT ATTACH FROM THE ROOF TO THE GLASS IN THE REAR (TOP HALF OF HATCH BACK) SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE GLASS DROPPED - HELD ON ONLY BY THE TWO ARMS THAT GUIDE THE WINDOW/GLASS UP AND OUT WHEN OPEN/LIFTED.
NHTSA complaint #11309685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesSouthern Pines, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY VEHICLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I CLOSED MY LIFT GATE TONIGHT AND HEARD A CRACK. MY REAR GLASS BROKE OFF OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT ONLY REMAINED ATTACHED BY THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE. IT APPEARS THAT CORROSION/RUST OCCURRED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SEALED OR WATER GOT IN SOMEHOW. I AM VERY THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN FROM BOTH, IT WOULD CERTAINLY DETACH AND BREAK ON THE ROADWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11252514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELDS RUSTING OUT AND UP TOWARD THE WINDOW .
NHTSA complaint #11231724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesJamstown, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE GLASS LIFT GATE LEAKS AROUND THE SEAL. BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. AFTER A RAIN, THE WATER PUDDLES IN THE BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11171134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesAuburn Hills, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70MPH) WHEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES FAILED AND HOOD WAS BLOWN OPEN INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS AFTER 5+ HOURS OF HIGHWAY TRAVEL WITHOUT ANY RECENT OPERATION OF THE INTERIOR HOOD LATCH RELEASE. EMERGENCY STOP WAS MADE TO SECURE HOOD. HOOD IS DAMAGED AND UNABLE TO CLOSE. BODY ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IS ALSO DAMAGED FROM THE HOOD IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #11154236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesEdmonton, KY
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50-55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS IN VARIOUS HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. THE SAFETY LATCH FAILED TO CATCH IT. SMOOTH ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11131076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesReading, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL WATER INTRUSION AROUND THE SEALS, WHICH AFFECTED THE LIFTGATE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LIFTGATE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN. THE DEALER (FRED BEANS FORD OF BOYERTOWN, 525 PA-100, BECHTELSVILLE, PA 19505, (610) 367-2081) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #11128026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesNEW Windsor, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
RUSTING OF THE REAR INNER WHEELS WELL AND FENDERS OVER BOTH WHEELS. IF NOT REPAIRED COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST MIGRATING INTO THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11120615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,030 milesCanton, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON I575 ON-RAMP WHEN THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND BLOCKING ALL FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE HOOD DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF BEING UNLATCHED, SUCH AS RATTLING, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE SAFETY LATCH DID NOT STOP THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAK-DOWN LANE AND AVOID A COLLISION WITH MERGING TRAFFIC. THE HOOD WAS SEVERELY BENT BUT WAS ABLE TO BE SECURED SUFFICIENTLY TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME.
NHTSA complaint #11114384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesSAN TAN Valley, AZCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11092154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,036 milesPoint Pleasant, WV
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCedarburg, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
BOUGHT THIS FORE ESCAPE 3 YEARS OLD. (OUT OF WARRANTY). NOTICED AFTER BUYING IT, THAT THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FENDER. THE INNER FENDER WELL IS 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. YOU SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY ON A CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING AFTER THREE YEARS. DEFECT OR POOR WORKMANSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11051618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.