2009 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,693 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 34 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
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 vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
143 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2018
IGNITION SWITCH DOESN'T TURN THE CAR ON WHEN TURNED. AFTER TURNING TO THE START POSITION YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY IN FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY GETS WORST TO THE POINT THAT IT NO LONGER WILL START THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH ALSO LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. I REQUEST THE NHTSA RECALL THE 09 FORD ESCAPE FOR THIS ISSUE ASAP.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2018
1. REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE CORRODED AND SNAPPED OFF, LEAVING GLASS DANGEROUSLY HANGING ON ONE HINGE. 2. TRUNK INOPERABLE DUE TO TRUNK OPERATING VIA ELECTRIC PATCH AND NO LONGER RECEIVING ELECTRIC SIGNAL. 3. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2018
THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IDLING, EVEN IF ONLY FOR SECONDS AND SURGES FORWARD RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROADWAY. IT HAS STALLED ON ME UP TO 8-10 TIMES IN ONE TRIP FROM SCOTTSDALE TO PHOENIX. IT WILL STALL ROLLING TO A STOP AS WELL AND HAS STALLED ON BUSY ROADWAYS AND IN INTERSECTIONS, PUTTING ME IN GREAT DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED T HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND SO FAR NO MECHANIC OR EVEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP CAN PIN POINT THE CAUSE. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES AND OTHERS HAVE REPRTED THAT THE CAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND I AM NOW AFRAID IT WILL ESCALATE.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 26, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN DRIVING. AND VIBERATES WHEN IDLING. ELECTRIC STEERING
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 20, 2018
I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND I WANT TO GO TO THE REST AREA AND TURN LEFT AND THE WHEEL GOT HARD TO TURN THE CORNER OF THE STREET, AFTER THAT NEVER LOOSENED TO DRIVE THE CAR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. NORTHGATE FORD (8940 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH) WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE, AND TORQUE SENSOR SOFTWARE WERE RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS, AND THE EXPENSE OF THE NEXT FAILURE WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2018
TRUNK BUTTON TO OPEN, BLUETOOTH AND STEERING ELECTRICAL AND THE ABILITY THAT IT SAYS THAT IT CAN TAKE KEYS OUT CAUSE WONT SAY THAT IT IS IN PARK
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 8, 2018
STEERING WAS SHAKING AND THEN STOPPED WORKING NO POWER AND STEERING SHAKES SCARED TO DRIVE IN CASE WILL LOCK UP
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2018
POWER STEERING ON CAR WILL SHUT OFF AT RANDOM, AN AUDIBLE CLICK WILL BE HEARD WHEN POWER STEERING SHUTS ON OR OFF, WILL TURN ON AND OFF WHEN GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD OR TURNING,HAVING CAUSED ME TO ALMOST CRASH DOZENS OF TIMES. THIS WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY BE AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR EVEN IN DRIVEWAY WHEN VEHICLE STILL HAS YET TO BE DRIVEN. ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WILL ALSO TURN ON AND OFF, THIS SOMETIMES COINCIDES WITH THE SAME TIMING OF THE POWER STEERING GOING ON AND OFF BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE RED BATTERY SYMBOL WILL ALSO TURN ON IN DASHBOARD. EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL HAVE PULSING GOING ON WITH BRIGHT AND DIMMING. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS STILL WORK PROPERLY DURING ALL OF THIS. CENTER CONSOLE (RADIO HEAT CLOCK) WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM ALSO NOT NECESSARILY ALL TOGETHER. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED WITH MULTI METER AND WORKING PROPERLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW. SOMETIMES IT WONT HAPPEN AT ALL OTHER TIMES IT IS CONSTANT ON THE DRIVES. MY RIDES ARE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10-45 MINUTES.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEEPED. A WARNING ALERT APPEARED THAT INDICATED "POWER STEERING ASSIST STALLED". THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED AND HAD TO BE TURNED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN DECEMBER OF 2014, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE LOCAL DEALER (WESTFIELD FORD INC, 6200 SOUTH LA GRANGE RD, COUNTRYSIDE, IL, 60525) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED AND THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX], BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FLICKERED ON AND OFF. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND HEATER WERE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BILL MARSH FORD, 408 W MILE RD NW, KALKASKA, MI 49646) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WRONG BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS- 13337258. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS GRADUALLY GETTING WORST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NORTH BROTHERS FORD LOCATED AT 33300 FORD ROAD WESTLAND, MICHIGAN 48185; 734-821-7451 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,145.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2017
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. A FEW DAYS LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, FORTUNATELY ON A LESS CROWDED STREET.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2017
POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AT ALL SPEEDS NOW (MY ESC LIGHT IS ON THE DASH AND WON'T GO OFF) HARD TO STEER WHEEL WHEN AT A STOP OR TO MAKE A TURN. MAKE IT'S HARD TO PARK A CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2017
14S05. I WAS DRIVING THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH. THE STEERING WILL STOPPED CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY AND THEN THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I ALMOST CRASHED, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, GATHERED MYSELF, CUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CUT THE AUTO OFF. AFTER A MINUTE, I STARTED THE AUTO UP AGAIN AND MOVED FORWARD TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK IN BUT IT WAS VERY VERY LOOSE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I INFORMED MY MOTHER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT. SHE CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE RECALL ON HER VEHICLE WAS CLOSED BUT IF THE STEERING WENT OUT, THAT IT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT FORD TOLD HER TOO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT TO BE FIXED BUT THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD HER THAT IT WASN'T A RECALL AND THAT SHE HAD TO PAY $89 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD TO PAY. THEY STILL REFUSE TO HELP IN ANY KIND OF WAY AT ALL. MY MOTHER IS IN HER MID 70'S WITH A FIXED INCOME. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO COME UP WITH $2000. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FORDWONTHONORRECALL14S05/ *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES DON'T TURN ON AT ALL IS KEEP HAPPENING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, VERY HARD TO TURN, ALL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR DON'T COME ON, GEARS LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHT SOMETIME FLICKERS. I HAVE HAD MY BACK LIGHTS. AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 11/29/16*LJ *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MASS AIR INDEX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND PARKING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2016
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE, STALLS WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE ENGINE RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING ON STATE HWY AND COUNTY ROADS. EACH TIME YOU COULD GAIN CONTROL, BY SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. SINCE THIS IS THE FAMILY CAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF STALLS ON BUSY CITY STREET OR MAJOR FREEWAY.
Electrical system, Engine, May 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2016
HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE. MUST PUSH KEY IN VERY HARD, SO MUCH SO THAT YOUR HAND WILL HURT, IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. SOMETIMES IT STARTS, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. HAS LEFT MY FAMILY STRANDED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. ACTS LIKE YOU CAN'T PUSH IN KEY IN FAR ENOUGH TO MAKE IT START. SITTING UNDER MY CARPORT NOW, UNABLE TO START AND UNABLE TO PAY THE $500.00 PLUS REPAIR COST. NOT VERY HAPPY RIGHT NOW!
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2016, fire
2009 FORD ESCAPE 3.0 246,000 MILES, HAVE HAD ALL RECALL ITEMS REPLACED. PROBLEMS WITH STARTER CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGED, SPARK AND MELT POSITIVE WIRE. REPLACED STARTER, TUMBLER AND IGNITION MODULE. 5 MONTHS LATER SAME EVENT OCCURRED. STARTER CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGED, SMOKE AND SPARKS FROM REPLACED STARTER. MECHANIC REPLACED STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID AND IGNITION MODULE LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND IGNITION TUMBLER. STILL HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH STARTER RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, MECHANIC SUSPECTS POSSIBLE WIRING HARNESS COMPROMISED FROM PREVIOUS HIGH VOLTAGE DRAIN DAMAGE. REPLACEMENT OF WIRING HARNESS MAY BE THE ONLY OPTION TO CORRECT ISSUE.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2015
MY FORD ESCAPE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN ACTING ERRATICALLY. IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE SOMETIMES, BUT THEN TURNS OFF AT OTHER TIMES. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2015
MY FORD ESCAPE HAS A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE ROOF. THE WATER COMES IN DOWN THE A&B POSTS AND ONTO THE FLOOR. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE A&B POSTS IT FLOWS OVER SEVERAL WIRES AND AIR BAG COMPONENTS, ALSO ON THE A POST SIDE IT FLOWS AROUND AND POSSIBLY INTO THE FUZE PANEL. THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE IS ALWAYS SOAKED AND EVERYTIME IT RAINS IT BECOMES RE-SOAKED. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND IT APPEARS SEVERAL THOUSAND ESCAPES HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Traction control system, Sep 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AIR BAG, AND EAS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CLOCK SPRING WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.