Used 2012 Ford Escape Consumer Reviews
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Loved Our 2005 Escape So Much We Bought Another
WNYFordGuy, 08/13/2015
2012 Ford Escape Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
83 of 88 people found this review helpful
I previously reviewed our '05 Escape XLS 2.3L 5M on 10/28/09, and provided an updated comment on 8/13/2015. My wife and I loved the '05 so much, we wanted another, but didn't want a newer '13 or '14 model due to it being a brand new design - I wanted to stick with the tried-n-true previous design. So we ended up getting this AWD SUV, upgrading from the base '05 XLS to the top-of-the-line '12 Limited. Actually, I'd have preferred an XLT with the 2.5L 4-cyl, but my friend works at a local dealership, and he steered us to this model with the 3.0L V6. It evidently came off a 2-year lease - it only had 11k miles on it. And (I think) since it was February - the middle of an awfully cold WNY winter - we ended up getting it for a very good price. And it was sold as "Certified", so the only repair we needed on it so far (replace right front brake pads due to uneven wear, machine rotors) was covered under the warranty. The SUV has been solid so far, but will likely need a new set of tires for this winter, and it has developed a quirky, intermittent problem with the ventilation system. The A/C & heat works great (I've read forums where many owners experienced problems), but the fan speed, at times, can not be adjusted or controlled. Best Features: Powerful acceleration, very smooth ride & tranny, blind-spot mirrors, top-notch sound system. Wife loves the moonroof and handling in snow. Worst Features: Not a fan of the faux-chrome shiny plastic covering the Limited aluminum (?) wheels. Showing signs that the rear-wheel well rust issues that plagued earlier Escapes may still be a problem. Gas mileage is only average (22.1 MPG long term); not the 24+ MPG we got consistently with the 2.3L 4 cyl '05 model. It makes me mad you can't get an AWD Escape anymore with a manual transmission.
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Wouldn't have it any other way
Dawn, 01/22/2019
updated 01/22/2020
2012 Ford Escape XLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
I actually built this from the ground up. There wasn't an option in this review, but I opted for the larger 6 cylinder. Having owned this from day one, I now have 151,000 miles on it. I keep up on the regular oil changes and upkeep. Haven't had a problem with this vehicle from day one and I'm not the easiest on vehicles. I buy them to drive them. So far as yet, there hasn't been a major repair. As one who loves to travel, this little baby has taken me to Florida at least 5 times, GA, Chicago, St. Louis a couple times, you get the idea. I love it and wish they had kept the 2012 body type.
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2012 Ford Escape for sale near you
3 of 39 listings
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $1,70095 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,999276 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,900280 mi away
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Good Commuter Car
Vic, 12/22/2015
updated 01/03/2019
2012 Ford Escape XLS 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
137 of 148 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle new in August 2012 and I have had no major complaints for 6 years. PROS: This is a decent commuter car, no bells and whistles, nothing fancy. This is a $20,000 car so you get what you pay for. I can answer my cell phone hands free, (SYNC & SUN Model), which is pretty cool. I have not noticed the braking system problems that so many have mentioned. It turns well and easy to navigate in parking lots. Plenty of cargo space. 6' when seat cushions are removed. I get 28 mpg for my commute to work in highway, stop and go traffic, but I have gotten 31 mpg on long highway trips. I have a 4 cylinder so there is no "get up & go", i use premimum gas, and it helps preformance immensely. Leaks around rear hatch window & probably windshield too as carpet is always wet when it rains. The door handles and the sun visors are very cheaply made, (hate them). Radio speakers are pretty generic. Backseat area is small. Only a small child would be able to sit in the middle seat. The rear folding seat is the worst design. It is a major project if you want to fold the seats down. It is a multi-step process, AND they will not lay flat unless you take the head rest off too. Ugh awful. I don't carry passengers so I took off the three headrests and seat cushions and stored them in garage. UPDATE CONS: Running the AC will greatly reduce MPG and power. I have a 4 cylinder. If i had to do over i would have bought 6 cilinder just for the "get up & go power" over 90k miles and a/c has leak somewhere in system. still works but its not cold, but its cool enough to be comfortable in summer. Update Jan 2019- 100,000 miles. No new complaints. I had it tuned up, new plugs and wires, transmission flush and I change oil every 3-5k miles. I still use premium fuel for performance.
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Very reliable, practical car.
Jake Sprecher, 10/01/2016
2012 Ford Escape XLS 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I have a 2012 Escape with the rare manual transmission. The ride is nothing special, and the driver's seat is a little stiff and unsupportive, but that about sums up my complaints. I haven't had a *single* issue in the 40,000 miles that I've owned it. I think it looks really sharp, and is reasonably fun to drive with a manual transmission. The 4 cylinder bogs down a bit if you're in the wrong gear, but if you don't mind shifting fairly often it has plenty of power. I average low 20's mpg in town and high 20's on the highway. The steering is the best I've experienced in any car other than my dad's 1987 Porsche 911... it's light in effort yet quick enough and very precise. I wish every car had steering feel like the Escape. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a practical, reliable and reasonably fun to drive vehicle.
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Love Our 2012 Escape
Jackie, 05/15/2016
updated 11/28/2016
2012 Ford Escape XLT 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
44 of 47 people found this review helpful
Vehicle: 2012 Ford Escape XLT 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A) The only choices on "trim" were for Hybrids, which ours is not, but I wanted to write a review because we're so happy with our 2012 Ford Escape XLT. Now that we own a 2012 Ford Escape, I look for them on the road so I can admire the smart design, which is sporty and fun, from the metallic paint, the cargo carrier on the roof, the side runners, and the rugged looking grille, our 2012 is the best looking year for the Escape, IMHO. We had a checklist of things we wanted in our next vehicle and the 2012 Escape has it all and I love everything about it. We're very happy with the cabin size, not too big, yet we have enjoyed all the room we've ever needed and then some. The headlamps are clear and bright and I appreciate the way the car stays lit until I can get out and to the house at night. We took a long trip shortly after purchase and had plenty of space and comfortable seating. Both of us are tall people and the driver's side can be a knee bumper until you learn the car's geography, and my 6'4" husband has to duck his head to keep from bumping it upon entering the car but he says that it's still the easiest car he's ever gotten in or out of. We've had our Escape for nine months and had no problems, mechanical or otherwise. Since up-sizing from our Ford Escort, we've noticed a huge difference in comfort and sound reduction from the road. We were fortunate to find our Escape with low mileage, so we expect to enjoy many years of ownership. I read a complaint about the back seat being a pain to put down (the headrests have to come off), but for us this is not a problem since we'll probably never have to utilize the entire back of the car. And if we have to take those measures to lower the back seat, then we'll just do what we have to do. It's a back saver to easily load and unload groceries and have plenty of room to accommodate a days' worth of shopping or a long trip. We felt we got a great deal on this SUV. I adore this car and if this is the last car I ever own, I'm happy to have it be our 2012 Escape! November 2016: We have owned our Escape for over a year now, taken two long trips, and still love it! We see lots of 2012 Escapes on the road and always mention to each other that they are so good looking and that we feel we made the best choice in buying this vehicle. Have had no problems, mechanical or otherwise. We are believers in timely oil changes so we take it to the dealership, Gilbert & Baugh, for that (they are wonderful to deal with!). Even if I could, I would not part with my 2012 Ford Escape. It's perfect size , great gas mileage, reliability, and sharp design make this car the vehicle we designed in our heads when we dreamed of having an SUV. My initial review shortly after purchase in September 2015 still holds...we love it!
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