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: fuel system
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 2, 2021
Fuel tank leaks from seam or seal on side of tank
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK CAME FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Sep 28, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK IN A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO MOVE BUT NOT THE POWER CAR CAME TO A STOP SHUT OFF CAR AND IT STARTED BUT WAS RIDING ROUGH. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON MY WAY HOME . WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. MY BROTHER WHO HAS BEEN A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR THIRTY YEAS DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND IT SAID THROTTLE BODY VALVE STUCK OPEN.I DID NOT GET HURT BUT IF I HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY OR IN FASTER TRAFFIC I COULD HAVE. I THINK OTHERS SHOULD BE WARNED. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM MONACO FORD IN GLASTONBURY WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE AND MY ADDRESS IS THE SAME AS WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW. MY BROTHER IS REPLACING THE PART FOR ME . *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY FORD (11301 GATEWAY BLVD W, EL PASO, TX 79936, (915) 591-8600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL HOSE FOR THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VAPOR LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK THAT EVAPORATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED....UPDATED 02/03/16 *BF ..UPDATED 03/15/16 *BF UPDATED 12/12/2017*JS
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 6, 2014
IT LAID OVER AND WAS POWERLESS. IT ALSO WAS SPUTTERING BEFORE THE CAR LAID OVER. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45 MPH THE CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO COAST TO A STOP EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2014
DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED, BATTERY LIGHT, AND OIL LIGHT ALL BLINKED AFTER WHICH ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD PLACED IN PARK AGAIN TRIED TO REV ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENED. TURNED CAR OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON AND CAR RAN AS USUAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON TAKING TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jun 6, 2014
GOING TO LEFT TURN LANE. NO RESPONSE FROM ACCELERATOR. ENGINE STILL RUNNING. SWITCHED OF, THEN SWITCHED BACK ON.CAR RUNNING AGAIN. GOT HOME, IT SWITCHED OF AGAIN.THEN SAME AS 1ST TIME. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jun 3, 2014
WAS DRIVING THEN FELT "BACK FIRE" THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL. NEVER LOST CONTROL JUST HIT BRAKES TO TURN ON ROAD AND PULL OVER. TURNED OFF CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND REVVED THE ENGINE. WENT ANOTHER MILE AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD GOTTEN BAD GAS BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. TAKING IT TOO DEALERSHIP FRIDAY JUNE 6TH. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Apr 4, 2014
I WAS ON HOV LANE ON LIE DRIVING TO MY PARENTS. AS I WAS COMING OFF TO REG LANE, MY ENGINE STALLED. FORTUNATELY, THE OTHER CAR WAS FAR AWAY ABLE TO STOP. I CHANGED GEAR INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Mar 27, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND TRUCK HAD A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER, LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. DID NOT STALL AND WE CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES ONCE AND OTHER TIMES MULTIPLE TIMES. GEAR AND SPEED DO NOT APPEAR TO BE A FACTOR. ON TWO OF THE WORST CASES THE POWER TRAIN / THROTTLE CONTROL "WRENCH" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, BUT OF COURSE AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND STARTING IT BACK UP AND DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE TRUCK RAN FINE. NOTHING WAS FOUND THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TAKEN IN. THE SECOND TIME I PRESSED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY CAME BACK WITH OVER $975.00 WORTH OF NEEDED REPLACEMENT PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, FUEL INJECTOR FLUSH AND SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT @ 56,000 MILES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 23, 2014, crash
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP, DESPITE MY FRANTIC EFFORTS TO BRAKE THE CAR; I SWERVED TO MY RIGHT, WENT THROUGH 6 INCHES OF SNOW ON GRASS CURB AND THEN WENT UP A 5 FT. ICE BANK, WHERE MY WHEELS JAMMED IN THE ICE AND I STOPPED, SITTING AT NEARLY A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, 5 FT. ABOVE THE ROAD. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS MANGLED IN THE ICE BANK AND MY PASSENGER-SIDE MIRROR WAS BROKEN OFF BY A STOP SIGN. IF NOT FOR THE SNOW BANK, I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED INTO THE VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, WHERE I AND OTHER DRIVERS WOULD HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT DESPITE HITTING THE BRAKE, THE CAR WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM, DID NOT STOP, IT KEPT GOING UNTIL HITTING THE SNOW-ICE BANK. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2014
I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN SEP 2010. THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WAS STOPPED OR MADE A TURN COASTING SLOWLY, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE DID NOT KICK IN FOR A SECOND OR TWO. WHEN IT DID IT JERKED HARD AND FELT LIKE IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER COULD NEVER ID THE PROBLEM AND PUT IT OFF AS NORMAL. THEN VERY RECENTLY I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. IT KEEPS THE RPM'S AT AN IDLING LEVEL BUT DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL-LIKE YOU PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT APPEARS TO SELF CORRECT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE I'M DRIVING SLOWLY ONCE AND AGAIN WHEN I WAS AT A STOP AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER YET. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2014
CAR LOST POWER. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, ENGINE WOULD IDLE ONLY. THROTTLE BODY HAD GONE BAD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jan 9, 2014
THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT, VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATES... POWER LOST IN ENGINE. AFTER STOP, ENGINE SOMETIMES STARTS, SOMETIMES REQUIRES LONGER WAIT TIME TO START... VEHICLE STILL UNDER 5 YEAR 50 K WARRANTY, TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP.... THEY WANT $ 440 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.... BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jan 2, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CAME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AT IDLE AND SURGED. CAR TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO FORD AND THEY MISDIAGNOSED. AFTER THAT IT CONTINUED TO DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES ON CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATES. THE CAR WOULD HAVE NO POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I WOULD STEP ON GAS. HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO MAKE ANYTHING WORK. AFTER THAT I TOOK IT TO FORD AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THROTTLE BODY-AIR INTAKE AND ALSO THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 1, 2013
MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION IN AN INTERSECTION GOING ABOUT 15 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SLOW AND ROUGH. THE THROTTLE HAD NO EFFECT ON ENGINE SPEED. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF ROUGH IDLING, THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN FAULT WITH THE FORD ESCAPE AND COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE ESCAPE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Nov 24, 2013
TRAVELING AT APPROX 5-10 MILES AN HOUR. PULLING OUT OF STOP SIGN. VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING FELT LIKE IT STALLED. COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COASTED TO CURB AND PUT IN PARK. A WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD SHOWED A YELLOW WRENCH. I TURNED CAR OFF. WAITED 30 SECONDS. STARTED AND LIGHT WAS OFF, CAR NORMAL. TOOK TO DEALER. DIAGNOSTIC CODE SAID ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. DID NOT HAVE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. NEXT DAY DID IT TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN FIVE MILES. NOW ENGINE LIGHT ON SECOND TIME OF OCCURRENCE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. COULD BE ON HIGHWAY. COULD PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ON COMING CARS AND IT STALLS. GET BROADSIDED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Nov 21, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON MONDAY 11/18/13 MY WIFE WAS STOPPING THEN WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON TURNING IT OFF IT RESTARTED JUST FINE. THIS HAPPEN 3 MORE TIMES FROM THEN TO TUESDAY EVENING. I DROVE IT TO WORK WEDNESDAY 11/20/13 AND WHILE ACCELERATING ON TO HWY 94 THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT DID HESITATE UPON RESTARTING BUT STARTED AND RAN. WEDNESDAY EVENING ON OUR WAY HOME DOING APPROX 30MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AGAIN HESITATED TO START BUT DID AND RAN OK. THURSDAY MORNING 11/21/13 WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK I WAS AT CRUISING SPEED DOING APPROX 60MPH ON HWY 94 THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT HESITATED TO RESTART AGAIN BUT STARTED AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2013
WAS PULLING OUT OF GAS STATION TO MERGE ONTO BUSY STREET, CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD UPON ACCELERATION THEN LOST ALL RESPONSE AND LURCHED INTO ROAD STOPPING THERE. ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE, CAR WOULD REV BUT NOT RESPOND WITH ANY ACCELERATION. DURING THIS TIME INCREDIBLY LOUD HARSH SHIFTING OCCURRED , SOUNDED AS THOUGH TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF CAR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY, CURRENTLY STILL INVESTIGATING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 15, 2013
DRIVE SOUTH ON I-95 AT RUSH HOUR HEADING HOME. WITH NO WARNING ENGINE POWER JUST GOES AWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSH THERE WAS NO POWER FROM ENGINE, HURRIED AS IT SLOWED DOWN TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT. SHUT OFF ENGINE FOR 5 MINUTES STARTED IT UP AND ALL WAS GOOD. 2ND TIME WAS LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE JUST FLUTTERED, SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THE CODES IN COMPUTER WERE THROTTLE ACTUATOR OPEN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2013
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY FOR MY VEHICLE ONCE BEFORE APPROXIMATELY IN AUGUST 2011. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THEN TURN OFF. FUEL DIDN'T SEEM TO BE PASSING THRU WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WAS AT STOP LIGHTS. OFTEN TIMES, IT TURNED OFF AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE FOR IT TO TURN BACK ON. WHEN I WAS AT STOP LIGHTS AND THIS HAPPENED, I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME TO TRY TO AVOID THE CAR TURNING OFF. MY CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I NEVER KNEW WHEN IT WAS GOING TO STALL OR TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED. I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THIS CAR. IT HASN'T BEEN THAT LONG AGO WHEN I HAD THIS FIXED. I KEEP CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND PART AND HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PART. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HAVE THE DEALER PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Nov 2, 2013
INITIALLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A STALL. I LOST ALL POWER EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. I LOST POWER ABOUT 2 MORE TIMES ON A 20 MILE TRIP. THIS HAS SINCE HAPPENED DURING EVERY DRIVE ON VARIOUS DISTANCES. SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES FROM A STANDSTILL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Oct 29, 2013
ALL THE SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WHEN I PRESSED IT AND MY VEHICLE SLOWED TO A DANGEROUS SPEED FOR THE ROAD I WAS ON FORCING VEHICLES TO SWERVE AROUND TO MISS HITTING ME. THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY PULL OVER AND TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER RESTARTING IT THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO WORK FINE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT NEEDED REPLACED. *TR