2012 FORD ESCAPE 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.

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.

Mileage: 75,000

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.

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.

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.

Mileage: 88,000

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.

Mileage: 125,000

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.

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.

Frame rotted out under normal use.

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.

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.

Mileage: 60,000

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

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

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.

Mileage: 106,000

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.

Mileage: 46,000

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

Mileage: 151,000

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.

Mileage: 160,000

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

Mileage: 37,000

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.

Mileage: 125,000

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.

Mileage: 109,000

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

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.

Mileage: 12,000

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.

Mileage: 57,000

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.

Mileage: 119,000

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.

Mileage: 76,000

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.

Mileage: 115,000

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.

Mileage: 99,030

IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

Mileage: 100

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.

Mileage: 83,036

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.

Mileage: 35,000

2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTING ABOVE REAR WHEEL WALLS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/24/2017*JS

THE BODY HAS RUSTED THROUGH AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS AND ALONG THE REAR HATCH DOOR. PLUS THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF OF THE ENGINE HOOD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. BUT THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT FORD BECAUSE OF WARRANTY ISSUES.

2012 FORD ESCAPE VIN # [XXX] REAR WINDOW HINGES CORRODED. PICTURES ATTACHED OF CORRODED HINGES BOTH SIDES -ONE WORSE THAN THE OTHER PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY .... LATER WENT OUT TO RUN ERRAND AND THE WINDOW WAS OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND CORROSION AT BOTH HINGES CAUSING ONE SIDE OF WINDOW TO DROP OFF. TODAY REVIEWING INTERNET COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. ONE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED PROBLEM IS COMMON AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SAID NOT A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WE SELL QUITE A FEW HINGES. IS THIS PROBLEM NOT BEING REPORTED BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS BUY THE LOW COST REPLACEMENT HINGES AND REPAIR THIS ON THEIR OWN? WOULD APPRECIATE A REVIEW OF THESE COMPLAINTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND ADVISED ME TO CONTACT CORPORATE SINCE HE NEEDED THEIR APPROVAL TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED BY CORPORATE THAT SINCE MY 3-YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HOW IS IT THAT MY VEHICLE, THAT WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, IS RUSTING AND ROTTING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE? THE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AS WELL AS GARAGE KEPT.

I PURCHASED MY 2012 ESCAPE IN AUGUST 2014,WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN TEN MONTHS, THE AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR AREA AND A GREEN SUBSTANCE WAS BLOWING OUT. THE REAR LIFT GATE ONLY OPENED SOME OF THE TIME, OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND NOW DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL, POSSIBLY BECAUSE WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE HATCH WINDOW, AND HAS DONE SO SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 39,000

IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS BOTH DUE TO UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH FAILURES ON OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE. IN BOTH CASES, WHILE DRIVING ON SAN DIEGO AREA FREEWAYS, THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY FLEW UP AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE NOT ONLY TO THE HOOD BUT ALSO THE HOOD HINGES, WINDSHIELD AND AREA SURROUNDING THE WINDSHIELD. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR OUR FORD ESCAPE FOR BOTH ACCIDENTS WAS ALMOST $9,200. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AVOIDING OTHER VEHICLES IN EACH CASE, THE POTENTIAL FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLE AND SERIOUS INJURY EVEN DEATH WAS POSSIBLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE RADIATOR, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS A POORLY DESIGNED SAFETY LATCH AND SPRING WHICH SHOULD ONLY ALLOW THE HOOD TO BE RAISED AFTER THE SAFETY LATCH IS MANUALLY RELEASED. OBVIOUSLY, IN BOTH CASES, THE HOOD SAFETY LATCH WAS NOT MANUALLY RELEASED BUT RATHER RELEASED FOR SOME OTHER REASON SUCH AS WIND, BUMPY ROAD, ETC. RELATED TO THIS UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH ISSUE IS THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER ON THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE DASH. THIS HOOD RELEASE LEVER IS CO-LOCATED NEAR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE. OBVIOUSLY, THE POTENTIAL FOR PULLING THE WRONG LEVER IS PRESENT BECAUSE OF THIS CO-LOCATION. NONETHELESS, THE HOOD SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO RISE, IF BOTH THE UNDER DASH LEVER AND THE UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH ARE MANUALLY PULLED / MOVED. THE HOOD SHOULD NEVER FLY OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BEING DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY OR OTHER HIGHWAY EVEN IF THE UNDER DASH LEVER IS PULLED. AGAIN, THE UNDER HOOD SAFETY LATCH AND SPRING ARE POORLY DESIGNED IN OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE ALLOWING THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE OUR CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 57,000

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE NOT ALLOWING ME TO CLOSE THE DOOR AT ALL. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEARS 2013-2015 NOT INCLUDING 2012. I HAD THE PART REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL AND I NEEDED A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP IT CLOSED AS WELL AS HOLDING IT WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE THE PART THAT WAS BROKEN IN MY POSSESSION AT THIS TIME. I AM WONDERING IF THE PART IN MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN A PIECE THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. I DISCOVERED THIS BROKEN LATCH WHILE OUT SHOPPING WHEN RETURNING TO MY CAR AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE STICKERS ON THE PART IDENTIFY THE PART AS FOLLOWS. 4171412002 12023 17:45 037 6761 BL84 78219A65 AB31T3 FD LH MIC (STONE) MODULE FOR FORD 32

Mileage: 72,000

THE ACTUALTRUNK OF THE SUV DOES NOT OPEN ON A CONSISTANT BASIS,YOU HAVE TO USE THE LIFEGATE IF YOU WANT TO PUT OR TAKE OUT ANYTHING OUT THE TRUNK.

RUST PROBLEMS IN THE REAR QUARTER PANELS BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE DEAL I WENT TO TOLD ME UPFRONT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 MODELS BUT WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS RUST IS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PANELS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. TAKE A LOOK ON THE ROAD NO VEHICLES HAVE RUST PROBLEMS THESE DAYS. EXCEPT FOR FORD. THEY EITHER USED THE WRONG PRIMER OR DID A POOR PAINT JOB. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS RUST PROBLEM AND FIX IT AT NO CHARGE.

Mileage: 33,000

TRUNK KEEP LOCKING UNABLE TO OPEN EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUAL SWITCH..NOW HINDERING CHANGING OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS. NOW I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A MALFUNCTION TRUNK THAT WON'T OPEN FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AUTO SHOPS I HAVE BEEN TO CAN'T GET IT OPEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME STUCK ON A PLASTIC PIECE THAT PROTRUDED OUTWARDS NEAR THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,600.

Mileage: 70,600

I HAVE OWNED THIS ESCAPE FOR A LITTLE OVER 5 YRS (OUT OF WARRANTY). I JUST NOTICED THIS WINTER THAT THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE INNER FENDER WELL (SAME SIDE) - THE METAL IS WARPED AND 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. IT IS DEFINATELY A DEFECT OR POOR WORKMANSHIP.

Mileage: 55,000

TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHTTIME, ALONE. I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN SIGHT, AND THEY WERE NO OVERPASSES ANYWHERE NEAR ME. AS I WAS DRIVING, OUT OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE MY REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. GLASS WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE, EVEN TO THE POINT OF HITTING THE FRONT SEAT. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, I THOUGHT SOMEONE MAY HAVE THROWN A BRICK THROUGH MY WINDOW. LUCKILY I HAD MY WITS ABOUT ME ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND SEE WHAT IT HAPPENED. I EXAMINED MY VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT THERE WERE NO ROCKS AND STILL NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN SIGHT. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS WINDOW TO HAVE EXPLODED; IT HAPPENED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. IF I HAD A DOG OR CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS DRIVING AT 120KM/HR, THE SHEER NOISE AND SHOCK OF THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED ME TO BE IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I REACTED THE WAY THAT I DID, BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE. GLASS SHARDS WERE ALL OVER MY CAR. THEY FLEW TO THE FRONT SEAT. THEY CAME OUT AT SUCH A SPEED THEY EASILY COULD HAVE BLINDED OR CUT SOMEONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD SUVS! THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEWS REPORTS AND YET FORD HAS DONE NOTHING AS OF YET! *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKED ONCE IT WAS AT THE RESIDENCE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

AC UNIT QUIT WORKING AT 42000 MILES. THE REAR WINDOW LEAKS, BAD LATCHES.

Mileage: 42,000

BODY PAINT PEELING AND RUST IN MULTIPLE AREAS INCLUDING WHEEL WELLS AND REAR CARGO DOOR SINCE 38K MILES. NOW AT 43K MILES MORE RUST IS VISIBLE. AT THIS POINT THE WARRANTY IS USELESS UNLESS RUST IS THROUGH BODY.

Mileage: 38,000

REAR LIFT GLASS HINGES CORRODE AND SNAP. MY HINGES BROKE WHILE STATIONARY THE VEHICLE WAS AT REST AND THE LIFT GATE WAS NOT IN USE.

Mileage: 105,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LIFTGATE AND BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

MY WIFE AND ONE MONTH OLD CHILD WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY. SHE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND OUR 2012 FORD ESCAPE XLT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER JUST FINISHED DETERMINING THE DAMAGE ONLY TO CONCLUDE THAT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS OVER $10,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE HE TOOK IT APART TO DETERMINE HOW EXPENSIVE THE FRAME REPAIR WOULD BECOME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE "INVESTIGATING" WHICH I'M SURE WILL LEAD TO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW CAN A CAR RECEIVE A CATASTROPHIC IMPACT ON THE FRONT END LIKE THAT AND THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY?

Mileage: 71,076

I WAS PARKED IN SAM'S PARKING LOT AND I OPENED MY REAR WINDOW TO GET MY BAGS OUT OF THE BACK OF MY SUV. AFTER PUTTING MY GROCERIES IN MY BACK SEAT I WENT TO CLOSE MY REAR WINDOW BUT THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND I CAUGHT THE WINDOW. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE WINDOW WAS IN MY HAND AND I BEGAN TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. A GENTLEMAN SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HE HELPED ME PUSH THE WINDOW BACK UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WE HAD TO PUT DUCT TAPE ON IT SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. TO MY SURPRISE THE HINGES THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO HOLD MY WINDOW IN WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD OF SERIOUSLY GOTTEN HURT. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THESE DEFECTIVE HINGES FOR YEARS BUT CONTINUES TO PUT THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. TO THIS DATE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE HINGES AND I AM CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS THIS COULD CAUSE DRIVERS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A FACTORY DEFECT. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A REAR WINDOW FALLING OUT!! I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PAY FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON MY VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE FOR MY HINGES TO BE FIXED. (I ATTACHED THE BILL QUOTE, IT IS QUITE HIGH) I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA RECOGNIZES THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE OF SAFETY NOT JUST FOR THE OWNERS WITH THE DEFECTIVE HINGES BUT THOSE WHO COULD BE IN THE PATH OF THE WINDOW FALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING BEHIND ONE OF FORD'S SUV'S. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME. *TR

THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW EXPLODED. WE WEREN'T THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. 60 DEGREES AND SUNNY OUTSIDE. WE WERE ATTENDING A PARTY FOR 2 HRS AND CAME OUT TO SHATTERED GLASS EVERY WHERE. CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN A LOT.

Mileage: 59,000

RUST ISSUE IN ALL WHEEL WELLS TYPICAL IT SEEMS WITH ALL FORD ESCAPES IN 2012. I ASSUME THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT TREAT OR USED BAD RUST TREATMENT ON THESE CARS.

Mileage: 48,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF CONTACT SOLD HER CAR TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN

Mileage: 22,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/16/18*JB *TR

Mileage: 48,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE SEATS, FLOOR BOARDS, RUGS, AND WINDOWS WERE WET AND FOGGY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE WINDOWS AND THE SEALS ON THE DOORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. .. UPDATED 09/30/15*BF

Mileage: 23,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ESCAPE 1.5 YRS. I JUST NOTICED THIS SPRING THAT THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE WHEEL WELL, NOW AS OF 7/7/2015 IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER. AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH WHEN YOU OPEN IT YOU CAN ALREADY SEE BUBBLING. MY UNDERSTANDING BY THE PAPER WORK I RECEIVED WITH IT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF UNDER BODY PROTECTION PUT ON IT.

Mileage: 32,345

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL DID NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM WATER. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE RECEIVER DRYER, BLOWER RESISTER, AND GASKET CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Mileage: 22,000

AFTER DARK ONE NIGHT (I COULDN'T SEE THAT THE HOOD WAS CRACKED OPEN) WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY THE HOOD BLEW OPEN-SAFETY CATCH DID NOT HOLD HOOD SHUT. IT BENT BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD, I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AND LUCKILY WAS NOT KILLED IN A CRASH. BODY SHOP INSTALLED NEW HOOD AND LATCHES AND SAFETY CATCH ETC. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE SAFETY CATCH STOPPED OPERATING. I TIED IT DOWN WITH ROPE TO THE FRAME AND DROVE IT FOR A WHILE. I COULDN'T GET TO THE BODY SHOP BECAUSE I NEVER GOT OUT OF WORK ON TIME. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE LATCH MECHANISM AND COULDN'T SO HE ORDERED A NEW ONE, INSTALLED IT AND CHARGED IT TO THE BODY SHOP. THE HOOD RELEASE HANDLE AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE ARE INCHES APART FROM EACH OTHER WHICH IS A POOR DESIGN, BUT REGARDLESS WHEN THE HOOD IS POPPED THE SAFETY CATCH SHOULD PREVENT IT FROM OPENING. A RELATIVE WHO DROVE MY VEHICLE KEPT POPPING THE HOOD ACCIDENTALLY BECAUSE HE WEARS A LEG BRACE WHICH CAUGHT ON THE RELEASE HANDLE. LUCKILY I HAD THE HOOD TIED OFF. I MAY ALSO TIE THE HOOD WITH ROPE AGAIN AS I DON'T HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE IN THESE PARTS. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE HAPPEN TO ME. OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THE HOOK THAT CATCHES THE HOOD SEEMS TO LOOSEN UP FROM ITS ASSEMBLY AND FALL FORWARD TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR THEREBY NOT ALIGNING WITH THE HOOD. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

PLEASE FORWARD TO APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH AT ~5:45PM A CLEAR DAY: OUR MOM/MOTHER IN-LAW HAD JUST DROPPED OF MY DAUGHTER AFTER SHOPPING AND WAS MAKING HER WAY HOME THRU THE WINDY BACK ROADS LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM OUR HOME. AS SHE CLIMBED A HILL A FEW BLOCKS AROUND THE CORNER FROM HER HOME AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN ON THE CREST OF THE HILL. THE 2012 FORD ESCAPED LURCHED/SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. AS FROM HER DESCRIPTION, SHE HEARD LOUD RUMBLINGS COMING FROM THE ENGINE; THE ESCAPE SHOOK AND LAUNCHED HER FORWARD WHILE SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ESCAPE PROPELLED HER UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARD CRASHING INTO A LARGE BOULDER, SHE THEN RICOCHETED ACROSS TWO LANES UP HILL, OVER AN EMBANKMENT /WALL, JUST MISSING A TREE, COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE PUSHING IT APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET, PASSED THAT INTO ANOTHER SMALL WALL JUST MISSING THE HOUSE. WE ARE THANKFUL ON MANY LEVELS; THAT OUR DAUGHTER WAS NOT WITH HER, THAT OUR MOM WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED. I WAS RESEARCHING ONLINE AND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN FOR THIS VEHICLE AT ONE TIME. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY INVOLVED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED KNOWING THAT MANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS DRIVE ESCAPE MODELS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS. WE HAVE MANY PICTURES FROM THE SCENE FOR YOU TO REVIEW. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 15,320

THIS DOCUMENT IS IN RESPONSE TO A FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING MAY 16, 2014 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AT MY REQUEST I REQUESTED THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIATIVE AND PROBABLY HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAR WAS BUILT. PERHAPS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME, MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR FORD SUV BE CONSIDERED. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 42,983

2012 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN CONCERN REGARDING LETTER RECEIVED ABOUT THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, DUE TO A LEAK. *JB

ON THE WAY TO WORK AT 7PM, THE BACK HATCH BEGAN RANDOMLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND OPENED SLIGHTLY. AFTER WORK THE NEXT MORNING AT 8AM, THE BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AT 10MPH. I CONTACTED AIRPORT FORD IN FLORENCE, KY AND THEY STATED NEVER HEARING OF THIS HAPPENING WITH ANOTHER ESCAPE. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

THERE ARE THREE ISSUES WITH THE CAR THAT MAKE IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN IT'S SUNNY, THE PLASTIC COVERING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (ON THE BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT) REFLECTS SUNLIGHT BACK INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. THE MOLDING SURROUNDING THE GEAR SHIFTER IS METALLIC LOOKING AND ALSO REFLECTS LIGHT BACK INTO THE DRIVERS EYES. THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT TINTED AND MAKES THE REFLECTION WORSE. ALSO THE VISOR CAN'T BE USED BECAUSE IT HITS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHEN MOVED. *TR

THERE IS A VERY BAD REFLECTION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH VENT PRESENT IN THE SIDE MIRROR. THE DASH VENT IS TRIMMED IN CHROME AND AS A RESULT IT REFLECTS IN THE MIRROR BLOCKING THE VIEW OF TRAFFIC ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 200

VEHICLE WAS BEING PREPARED TO BACK OUT OF LEVEL GARAGE ONTO DRIVEWAY WITH MILD DOWNHILL SLOPE. VEHICLE WAS STARTED, EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PLACED IN REVERSE, DRIVER'S FOOT ENGAGED BRAKE. DRIVER REALIZED WALLET WITH DRIVER'S LICENSE WAS LEFT INSIDE HOUSE. TRANSMISSION PLACED IN PARK, DRIVER REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND EXITED VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOT NOTED TO BE MOVING WHEN DRIVER EXITED. DRIVER ENTERED HOUSE THROUGH GARAGE ENTRY, RETRIEVED WALLET. WHEN GARAGE WAS RE-ENTERED VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE ONTO DRIVEWAY ON ITS OWN. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CATCH UP TO VEHICLE ON FOOT AND ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL. VEHICLE BACKED DOWN FULL LENGTH OF DRIVEWAY (APPROX. 100 FEET) AND BACKED ACROSS ROAD AND DOWN FAIRLY STEEP EMBANKMENT ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD. VEHICLE THEN BACKED INTO A LARGE TREE ABOUT 10-15 FEET FROM ROAD AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED, AND AN ADJACENT TREE WAS SIDE-SWIPED BY THE REAR/LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED, SCANT DAMAGE TO 2 LARGE TREES. DRIVER ASSESSED THE DAMAGE, RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE. DRIVER CANNOT DEFINITIVELY RECALL WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN WHEN VEHICLE WAS RE-ENTERED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND MOVE IT ACROSS THE ROAD AND BACK ONTO DRIVEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 3,500