2012 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

21 of the 604 complaints about the 2012 Ford Escape describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 21
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 49,750
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2024
1
2023
5
2022
8
2021
11
2020
33
2019
19
2018
41
2017
89
2016
45
2015
33
2014
72
2013
67
2012
21
2011
66
2010
103
2009
73
2008
71
2007
9
2006
8
2005
20
2004
4
2003
12
2002
12
2001
8

What owners say

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Steering · OK

In other year models the power steering sensor has been under recall. I have a 2012 ford escape. That randomly the power steering does out this part has been replaced twice with no ultimately fixing the issue. It’s so dangerous when your driving 75 on the highway and the power steering goes out and the power heel jerks from your hands and you almost run off the road or run someone else off the road.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Steering · 173,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics where it was discovered that the subframe connectors were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2022 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting out of park(P) into drive(D), the vehicle started jerking. The contact kept the brake pedal depressed and shifted back to park(P) before attempting to shift to drive(D) again. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PIN needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who attempted to repair the failure however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Engine · 43,300 miles · FL

Car stall at any point while driving. Since I bought the car has stalled about 10 times. Check engine light comes and goes. I had the chance to take it to autozone to connect the scanner while light was on, and diagnostic came with trouble code p2111. As I said it can happen at any time at an unexpected point. It's a little of panic involved every time because cars coming from behind and I have to act to quickly to put on hazards and maneuver the car which start jerking too . No way to record any thing due that I don't know exactly when is going to happen. I have an appointment with ford dealer on 12/05/2018

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · TX

Vehicle has hard down shifts jerking when accelerating has been in shop twice going again on 6-27-18 after about 150 miles of driving is when this occurs

Filed Aug 11, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 64,000 miles · IN

Transmission control module causing issues with transmission, shifting. Mechanic said transmission is starting in 5th gear. Jerks very hard when put in reverse. Upon going 45 MPH engine revs to 3 RPM. Cannot take off fast, very slow moving.

Filed May 31, 2017 · Fuel system · 33,450 miles · TX

Throttle body problem p2111. Also transmission will jump into gear causing a lurching action and loud pop noise. Moving down street when car suddenly would not accelerate. Limped into autozone who ran a diagnosis and came back with p2111. Then they looked it up on youtube and found how to reset it (turn key to lock, slowly (10 sec) push down accelerator paddle, hold for 10 sec, deaccelerate at same rate, turn car off and restart. It worked for a few blocks and it did it again. Rinse and repeat several times to get home. Last time engine symbol came on...

Filed Apr 27, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · IL

Escape has several issues, ford dealer would review and report no issues found. I bought my escape new in july 2012. 1.front seat belts - within the first year (jan-feb 2013 - mileage 5,000ish) the front seat belts wouldn't retract 90% of the time, causing them to be caught in the door and/or keep the door from closing. 2.transmission issues (nov 2015 - mileage 50,000ish ) it shifts badly, sometimes acts as if its in-between gears when your breaking or accelerating. When you release the peddle and reapply, it'll reengage but at times will lurch again. 3. Electrical issues - jan 2016 -(mileage 65,000ish) the dome light won't go out, had to pull the fuse lights so I could drive unobstructed. 4.(4/18/16 - mileage 73,000ish) rear door will not open. Apparently this is a known issue based on what find on line and here. In the past I did notice water 'drips' on my back window, I couldn't figure out where the 'leak' was, again dealership reported no problem found, I just thought it was pooled water that found its way in when I had opened up the rear window/door. But based on what I see on line and here the rear door not opening is due to the 'water drip/leak' issue because of the rear window gasket isn't correct thickness or something along those lines. Back door not being able to open is a safety concern, all doors should be accessible in case of an emergency. 5. Same date as 4,door locks not locking when you put SUV into gear. 6. April 26, 2016 ' pulling out of my drive way ' no incline what so ever ' warning light for steep grade light came on. 6. Truck will be taken back to a different ford dealer ship, for all the above issues, I don't care to return to where I bought it, since their service department is very dismissive despite me providing reports from this website to them about the various issues I came in with.

Filed Sep 12, 2015 · Fuel system · 34 miles · VA

Car sometimes acts as if it is between gears when you excelerate. Release the gas pedal and press again and it lurches forward. This has happened several times since I bought the car. I believe the transmission has been reprogramed once shortly after getting the car. Nothing else has been done.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Engine · 17,716 miles · AL · crash

The driver of the vehicle was at the car wash. On the way to the car wash, the vehicle was jumping forward while he was stopped at a stop sign. Driver continued on to the car wash. As he was pulling forward at the car wash(vehicle was in drive), the vehicle started jerking again and when driver pushed on the brake, the vehicle jerked back on it's own and crushed a brick wall. The vehicle was later deemed a total loss.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape. After starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse, the vehicle hesitated to reverse. The contact also stated that while shifting gears, a popping noise was present and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.