Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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. …
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.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was parked, the rear window exploded outwards for the second time. Each time, there were no signs of any vandalism. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assist. The glass company (safelite) stated that the failure occurred with the same year, make, and model vehicles. The cause of the failures was not determined. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,943.
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.
The rear window of this Ford Escape leaks causing visibility issues on the rear window, moisture collection in center brake light, and water residue in/on electrical components in rear door. Began at about 24,000 miles. Out of warranty when issue was taken to dealership at 39,000 miles. All miles within first year to 18 months of ownership. The water leaves streaks and staining on the interior glass during heavy rains and melting snow.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the hatch glass was defective. The hatch glass fractured when the contact closed the hatch. The dealer advised that the vehicle hatch glass was not recalled. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
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. …
Going to work early (6:35 am) Monday morning, driving around 35-40mph, when all of a suddenly I hear a big boom and the sound of something being splatter and hitting the back of my head. The next thing I know I feel a big gust of cold air in the car and when I look through my rear view mirror, I see that my rear lift gate window had just exploded. All this happen when I was driving. The back seat and the back of the SUV were covered with hundreds of pieces of glass. The two hydraulic bars that control the opening of the door along with the rear window wiper assembly were just hanging there. Needless to say it scared me to death. It was just a blessing that it wasn't raining nor snowing. I took it to my dealership and was told that Ford is not responsible for the replacement and that I was responsible for all of the repairs/replacement necessary. Why me? …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 604 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Escape window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2012 Ford Escape, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Escape window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
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.