Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle would only start after several attempts. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who acknowledged that the clamp for the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) flange was not properly placed, and the issue was corrected. The contact stated that the failure persisted while attempting to start the vehicle the following morning. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the fuel delivery module had expanded and leaked fuel while refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel delivery system was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. After checking the VIN, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the odor of fuel was present inside and outside of the vehicle. Upon inspection, leaking fuel was discovered coming from the fuel tank on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor detected around the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was concerned the vehicle might catch on fire. The approximate failure mileage was 24,400.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was a strong fuel-like odor entering the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
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. …
12/3/2020 Recall 16S41-Fuel Delivery Module Flange Replacement was performed on vehicle at Ford Dealership. Upon starting the vehicle, I noticed a long crank & engine light was on. Technician advised the issue would resolve itself in a few days. It did not. 12/16/2020 Returned to Ford Dealership for for diagnostic of long crank & engine light. Techs determined there was a defect in the hose. According to them, they replaced the faulty part and issue was fixed. It was not. I was advised again, after some time the issue would be resolved. It was not. 05/5/21 Returned to Ford Dealership for diagnostic & repair of same. Techs advised they replaced a clamp, and that the fuel delivery module installed was defective(again) causing a leak down. They refused liability and advised I needed the fuel pump replaced at my own expense($628). I declined.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling and parking the vehicle in his driveway, he noticed gasoline leaking from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
While coming to a stop sign, as I took my foot off the gas pedal, it surged forward at a fast speed the gas pedal went to the floor. it took me through the intersection and beyond before I was able to stop the car. It was very scary just thinking if there were anyone crossing the street it could have been very bad. Now im afraid to even drive my car not knowing if it will happen again.I call the service and cannot get appt. for 2 weeks. and it will be at my expense.
In a private parking lot, after executing a 90 degree left turn into a parking spot and with the brake pedal applied in order to slow then stop the vehicle, the vehicle surged forward just before coming to a complete stop. You could hear the engine rev up as it surged forward. Application of the brake pedal did nothing to slow it down. After the vehicle was jarred by striking the curb the engine returned to normal idol. So much power was applied in the surge that the vehicle jumped a curb, traveled over a a grass plot and struck another car on the other side. Our Ford Escape suffered front end damage (toward drivers side) and the other vehicle (a Ford eco -boost) suffered front and drivers side damage. Note that the vehicle was traveling forward at about one MPH (almost to a full stop) when the surge occurred. As it surged the speed increased rapidly to about seven to ten MPH. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable.
Fuel System complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2012 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 160 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2012 Ford Escape, 26% of the model year's 604 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Escape fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-777 (fuel pump, Oct 26, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Escape fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.