The 2012 Ford Escape has a fuel tank capacity of 15.1 to 17.5 gallons (57–66 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 17.5 gallons, used on 6 trims.
A full tank is good for roughly 408–490 highway miles or 350–513 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
020 gal40 gal
17.5 gal · Smaller than 66% of 2012 models we list.
XLT 4dr SUV AWD2.5L 4cyl 6A · AWDMPG 20 / 27Range 350 / 473 mi
2.5L 4cyl 6A
AWD
17.5 gal66 L
20 / 27
350 / 473 mi
No trim matches all of these filters.
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2012 Ford Escape goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 23 MPG, a full 17.5-gallon tank covers about 403 miles.
Gauge
Gallons
Highway miles
City miles
Full
17.5
473
350
3/4
13.1
354
263
1/2
8.8
236
175
1/4
4.4
118
88
1/8
2.2
59
44
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 652 gallons, roughly 37 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
Other 2012 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2012 Ford Escape fuel system recalls
NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2012 Ford Escape, out of 1 recall in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.
Delivery · Fuel pumpOct 26, 2016 · NHTSA 16V777000 · Ford Motor Company · 329,265 vehicles
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Ford Escape?
The 2012 Ford Escape holds between 15.1 and 17.5 gallons, depending on the trim. 17.5 gallons is the usual size; the smaller 15.1-gallon tank is on the Hybrid 4dr SUV.
How many gallons and liters does the 2012 Ford Escape gas tank hold?
The 2012 Ford Escape tank holds 57–66 liters, or 15.1–17.5 gallons in US gallons.
Which 2012 Ford Escape has the biggest gas tank?
The 17.5-gallon tank is on the Limited 4dr SUV, Limited 4dr SUV AWD, XLS 4dr SUV and 3 other trims. The smallest tank, 15.1 gallons, is on the Hybrid 4dr SUV.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape hybrid have a smaller gas tank?
Yes. Hybrid: 15.1 gal; Gas: 17.5 gal.
Does AWD change the 2012 Ford Escape gas tank?
No. FWD and AWD versions of the 2012 Ford Escape use the same 15.1–17.5 gal tank.
How far can a 2012 Ford Escape go on a full tank?
About 408–490 miles on the highway and 350–513 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2012 Ford Escape go on a quarter tank?
About 118 highway miles or 88 in town from the 17.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.4 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2012 Ford Escape take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2012 Ford Escape?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 17.5-gallon tank from empty costs $74.72. It ranges from $64.75 in the Gulf Coast to $103.07 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2012 Ford Escape?
About 109 pounds for the 17.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2012 Ford Escape have a bigger gas tank than the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes. The 2012 Ford Escape holds up to 17.5 gallons; the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan holds up to 16.8.
Has the 2012 Ford Escape had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2012 Ford Escape: 16V777000 (delivery · fuel pump). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.
Sources
Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).