Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Edge owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. The contact stated after parking the vehicle, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the gear selector lever to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the gear selector lever to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer, Parkway Ford (311 Commercial Pkwy, Dover, OH 44622: [phone]) where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the gear selector lever to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact called Parkway Ford and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the AWD Off message was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon shifting to park(P) he was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was occurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was test driven; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Shift to park message, not showing it is in park. Can only crank the car if you turn the key halfway and then shift to neutral to crank it. Once you put it back in park and set the emergency brake you can only crank it by repeating the process of Neutral cranking. Car will roll away without brake set. Driving is a concern as I am afraid it might pop into another gear. My year 2012 is not in the recall that effects 2015-2018 models but it's the exact same issue.
While driving. the all wheel drive off and wrench lights up on the car dash screen. The car stalls and comes to stop. If I wait a minute it starts up. It repeatedly does this, then it will be okay for some time before it does again. I've. Had it at Ford garage, they say can't duplicate or find anything on the scanner. It's dangerous to drive this way. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. While placing the vehicle in park and exiting the vehicle, it rolled downhill across the street and struck a tree. The contact stated that the vehicle would not register that it was in park. The vehicle had to be restarted numerous times in order for the vehicle to register that it was in park. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the failure and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. When the vehicle was shifted into park, it moved forward and struck a tree without warning. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a body shop and deemed operable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
I was unable to come to a complete stop and hit a cone in nyc. After, it was extremely difficult to come to a complete stop. The car was able to slow down but it took time. I drove slow and away from others. The brakes were hard and made noise when I pushed down on the brakes. When I went to the dealer, they informed me that Ford has an extended warranty on the part and I asked why wasn't the part recalled if it put me and my family in harms way. Why wasn't I notified prior to losing full braking power? I am thankful that I noticed the problem right away and my family and I are safe. I have concerns for others who May be at a greater speed when the brakes fail or have to stop unexpectedly. In addition, my car has returned to the dealership for service several times for not locking into the park position. It is not safe and again, I have concerns for my family and others. …
I purchased my low mileage Edge from local Ford dealer. Experiencing periodic issue with car transmission lag or jerking when accelerating from stop, as at a stop sign or pulling out of parking lots. Took to dealer several times, they can't duplicate issue, no codes. More recently the backup camera has intermittently failed. No backup guidelines are present, sometimes backup camera is visible, then goes black, other times doesn't work at all. Now my brakes are giving me issues. The pedal will either be very hard to press, as in losing power braking when a vehicle dies. Then the pedal May go all the way to the floor. Did experience something similar while in fast food drive thru, foot on brake, then brake losing pressure and pedal depressing to floor. I put the vehicle in park, then the "service advance track: light came on briefly. …
Pulled over in emergency lane on highway 3 miles from home. Stopped car and placed gear shift in park position and set flashers. On getting out of car noted car was moving forward. Rechecked to see if gear shift was in park which was confirmed by passenger. Driver on getting out of vehicle was unable to get back in with attempt to grab seat belt as leverage to get back in. Victim was unable to get back in and fell out of car resulting in car back driver side tire rolling over victim. Resulted in hospitalization with right side 8 broken ribs, t-1 fracture, punctured lung on right and multiple bruises and lacerations on legs and back. Resulted in chest tube placement, placement of neck brace, hospitalization for 10 days, wound care to cut on right ankle, inpatient rehab for 5 days with continued outpatient rehab for minimum of 1 month. …
I was out running errands and everything was fine. Left a store to pick up my daughter from practice and had to stand on the brakes to get the vehicle to stop at a red light. This was after stopping fine at the previous three stores and numerous lights I encountered. This issue continued for the next 15 miles of lights and traffic, until I got home. I did stop at an o'reillys auto parts on my way home and checked the brake fluid level, which was full. I have parked the vehicle and have been driving my son's Jeep for the past three days. I have an appointment to drop the Edge off at williamsburg Ford, williamsburg, va, on 3/28/19. I have researched this issue and evidently there is a customer satisfaction program announcement of a brake booster issue covered under an extended warranty (13n01) and have read more than 130 other people have experienced issues identical to mine. …
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence…
Transmission complaints in other Edge years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Ford Edge?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Edge, 4% of the model year's 1,134 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Edge transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-393 (axle shaft, Jul 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Edge transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.