Problems · by component
2012 Ford Escape vehicle speed control problems
70 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Escape cite vehicle speed control, 12% of all 604 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
70
12% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
What owners say about the vehicle speed control
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2012 Ford Escape. While driving in a parking lot at approximately 18-20 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle struck a fence and an apartment building. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a cut above the nose, right shoulder pain, and a concussion. The contact received medical attention. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and declared a total loss. The failure mileage was 44,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left or right turn, the steering wheel made an abnormal whining sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”
“Power steering suddenly went out on right turn onto residential street at approx 10 mph. No warning lights. When car was restarted, power steering back on. Paid dealer to scan. Failure code B2278-2F. Replace steering shaft torque sensor (internal to steering column), steering shaft must be replaced, too, due to play. Just two parts: part cost $2272, labor $886. Part back-ordered for unknown period. Have not yet told dealer service to order parts. Asked dealer if car was safe to drive: they said "probably not."”
“I recently purchased a 2012 ford escape, and the engine runs loud, and after researching, I feel that the throttle body is not in working condition. I looked up recalls on this vehicle and there is an incomplete throttle body repair/replace open recall, but when I looked it up via NHTSA it said no recalls. I would like this issue resolved. [XXX]”
“There is something not connecting right when you accelerate from a stopped position. From when you first start the car and begin to drive to slowing down to a complete stop as soon as you begin to accelerate there is almost no going right away when you push down on the pedal. It takes almost 10 seconds or more to even begin to stay with on coming traffic. You have to be at a 3 rpm to even shift to go a little more faster then the speed starts to increase if able. It is available when needed to look over at any point and I dont feel safe driving as theres something not right with the connection to the fuel I believe and it feels like. I have taken it to a local shop and they looked it over and didnt seem to find or see much but they cleaned the air flow meter but that didnt do the trick? Also while driving the car tends to veer to the left with or with no wind. It doesnt like to stay straight while driving and thats also unsafe as the driver your doing everything to stay straight. Have not been inspected by anyone other than the local shop I trust and is family friend. Have never noticed or seen any defective lights come on since I purchased the vehicle. I…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH FORCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN THE ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE DID A ONE EIGHTY DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES AND WHIPLASH, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. DURING THOSE FAILURES, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN TIMES AND THERE WOULD BE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR WHILE SHE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.”
Showing 6 of 70 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.