carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $16,640–$19,399 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Ford Escape at 6.5/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.4/10, while Performance at 5.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.5/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.1/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $16,640–$19,399, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Escape sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 7.0/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Ford Escape is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Ford Escape ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $16,640 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 54%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Escape model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $31,203 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $31,203 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $30,295 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $29,386 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $28,477 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $27,568 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $26,659 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $25,750 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $24,841 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $23,933 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $23,024 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $22,115 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 26/10/2016 · 16V777000 | 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… |
|---|---|
| Suspension / Front / Wheel bearing 03/06/2015 · 15E045000 | The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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