2012 Ford Escape Body & structure Problems

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 ID

11619540

Incident

Oct 11, 2024

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 ID

11605794

Incident

Jul 20, 2024

Mileage

75,000 mi

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 ID

11576912

Incident

Mar 11, 2024

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 ID

11570605

Incident

Feb 7, 2024

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 ID

11549780

Incident

Sep 30, 2023

Mileage

88,000 mi

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 ID

11534906

Incident

Jul 21, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

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 ID

11509320

Incident

Feb 27, 2023

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 ID

11506055

Incident

Feb 4, 2023

Frame rotted out under normal use.

NHTSA ID

11473803

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

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 ID

11470986

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

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 ID

11424107

Incident

Jul 9, 2021

Mileage

60,000 mi

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 ID

11398549

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

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 ID

11398539

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

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 ID

11398535

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

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 ID

11343203

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

46,000 mi

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*JB

NHTSA ID

11320427

Incident

Apr 5, 2020

Mileage

151,000 mi

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 ID

11318351

Incident

Mar 13, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

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 ID

11311785

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

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 ID

11309685

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

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 ID

11252514

Incident

Aug 30, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELDS RUSTING OUT AND UP TOWARD THE WINDOW .

NHTSA ID

11231724

Incident

Jul 17, 2018

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 ID

11171134

Incident

Jul 7, 2016

Mileage

12,000 mi

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 ID

11154236

Incident

Nov 23, 2018

Mileage

57,000 mi

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 ID

11131076

Incident

Sep 24, 2018

Mileage

119,000 mi

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 ID

11128026

Incident

Apr 29, 2016

Mileage

76,000 mi