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: service brakes
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor before the vehicle started to slow down. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited for a few minutes to restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS system was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 13, 2021
See NHTSA Recall No. 19V-904 for additional details. This recall should be amended to include the Ford Escape model line. The valve on the Anti-lock Braking System Module sticks open and causes reduced braking ability. The module is the same component as in the vehicles noted in the above referenced NHTSA recall.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and initially diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The brake master cylinder was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and hydraulic failure. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) and hydraulic needed to be replaced however, parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V733000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, neither the VIN nor the type of vehicle was included in the recall. The failure mileage was 49,900.
Service brakes, Nov 14, 2021
Was driving my ford escape and went to stop and total loss of brake pedal it went to the floor almost causing me to hit another vehicle. All brakes are new no brake fluid leaking no where and master cyclinder tested good. I've done research online to thousands of complaints regarding the abs unit causing loss of brakes to many of people to where vehicle is unsafe to drive due to it happening again. So I got in and started the escape today to now having full brakes again. Ford should have to recall or buy back the escapes cause it's a safety hazard to people's lives that's driving theses escapes! NEVER KNOWING WHEN TOTAL BREAK LOSS IS GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN!!! Ford's should have to pay when someone gets in a accident due to total loss of break system due to abs unit/hcu..
Structure, Service brakes, Oct 24, 2021
Never again with a Ford. Had a life threatening incident. K frame completely rusted out, making front passenger tire wobble and almost fall off. I was driving 65 mph and it started. Took to shop immediately to find gapping holes in k frame. Ford should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. Have read about previous complaints of this SAFETY issue with other years and people. I cannot afford repair I am on disability and now stuck without a vehicle. When I tried to break, abs and traction control came on. Was checked and mechanic said abs module failed also. Repairs are beyond what I can afford and I could have been killed along with others. I may call an attorney because k frame/ engine sub frame should last life of vehicle. Not take a life. I also had Huge safety issue with my Taurus, a few years ago, filed a complaint with you for this problem also. Nothing was done. I should have learned my lesson. Ford does not care, why can they get away with this , I saw the class action lawsuit results for other years with same issue. What a joke. Our government is failing us letting auto makers get away with these type of incidents.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle did not immediately stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the brake master cylinder however, the failure recurred. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty ABS module however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35-45 MPH, the brake pedal would go to the floorboard when depressed. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with hydraulic brake control failure. The mechanic informed the contact that it was a recurring issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2021
I WAS JUST STARTING OFF AFTER GETTING A GREEN LIGHT WHEN A POLICE CAR (THAT WAS TO THE RIGHT OF ME, WAS COMING QUICKLY OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT) SUDDENLY POPPED ON THE SIREN WHICH STARTLED ME BUT CAUSED ME TO STOP SUDDENLY! WHICH MEANS MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR IMMEDIATELY! AND MY CAR JUST KEPT GOING WHEN IT SHOULD'VE STOPPED! THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. AFTER THE POLICE CAR PASSED I PROCEEDED BUT REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOOSE AND BRAKING WAS LOW AND NOT HIGH AS BEFORE...I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO TEST THEM AND BEGAN TO PUMP TO SEE IF THEY'D COME BACK UP...TO NO AVAIL. AND THEY WERE MAKING AN AIR SOUND WHEN I PUMPED THEM. THEN, TO TOP IT OFF THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. NEVER HAD ANY WARNING LAMPS COME ON BUT DID HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED ON 10/22/2020. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2019.( YES, IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST) I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A REPAIR SHOP TOMORROW MORNING, BUT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE I AM MYSTIFIED! AT LEAST I KNOW NOT TO WASTE MONEY I DON'T HAVE ON ANY REPAIRS...AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE THE CAR PAYMENTS, BUMMER! );
Service brakes, Sep 21, 2021
I bought my Ford Escape Limited, 4 wheel-drive SUV in August, 2009 from a dealer in Baltimore County, Maryland. Later I retired from the Maryland Highway Administration and moved to Augusta, GA in February, 2015. In mid 2020 I saw the ABS light showing the my vehicle needed a repair to the ABS system. When I took the vehicle to my friendly mechanic shop, he told me that the ABS Module was defective and that he could not fix it. Since then I have been having a serious safety problem with the ABS Module which makes driving my vehicle very risky, especially when it is raining. The risk is felt whenever I am driving and need to stop at the red light or when another vehicle suddenly comes close to my vehicle which requires a quick decision to avoid accident using the ABS system that was designed for that purpose. In that case, I had difficulties stop and my vehicle will often pull to the left even with new brake pads on. That poses a serious safety threat. But as auto makers, the Ford Company know or should know that nearly all Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles are assumed to have ABS Module and other defects. Sadly, the Ford Company neglected to notify me of the recall. The defects in the ABS Module of my SUV pose a serious safety risk to me; so, that is very concerning to me. Thanks for your help with this complaint. Note: I coincidentally found the recall information last night on Google Search on 9/20/2021. Date of this complaint: 9/21/2021 Ford’s False Claim Number for this recall: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”*JB
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2021
Purchased car in Dec 20. Brakes were 'mushy'. Previous owner had over $1000 in brake work done (new pads-front, shoes - rear, new master cylinder, new rotors, etc.) I am a GM and John Deere-trained mechanic. I determined the defect was in the ABS valve assembly. There is at least 1 of 4 ABS side solenoid valves not seating/sealing properly. Replaced the defective ABS unit with a low mileage used valve assembly, keeping the original ECU since it is keyed to the VIN. 9 months later, the ECU has failed (Code B1342 ABS ECU inoperative). Service brakes are still tight and function. Tried cleaning / reseating main wiring connector with no luck. Problem was sporadic over past 60 days (ABS light / ASC / Parking brake lights illuminated) and then would disappear. ECU finally failed completely with warning lights on continuously. Vehicle has 142,000 miles and is over 12 yrs old. Ford says they have never heard ofan ABS issue but confirmed the defect. The local dealer will gladly replace the ABS module for approx $1000. Ford has a responsibility to address this issue not only in Escapes of all years but throughout their model lineup. This is a safety issue that needs to be fixed. Not looking for a freebie but would rather not be the victim of an avoidable car accident and be cleaned off the pavement with a stick and a spoon. Needless to say, Ford reputation has suffered a loss of credibility.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who performed various brake tests and found no faults with the braking system. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Service brakes, May 12, 2021
ABS, PARKING BRAKE, AND ANTI-SKID LIGHTS ALL ON. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE ABS MODUL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Service brakes, Apr 24, 2021
I WAS DRIVING AND MY BRAKES FELT SOFT, ALMOST HAVING TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY, UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. AFTER DOING MULTIPLE THINGS, DEALERSHIP SAID WAS MY MASTER CYLINDER. SO HAD MY MASTER CYLINDER. THEY CALL TO SAY, THEY TEST DRIVE MY CAR AND MY CAR WAS STOPPING FINE. I PICKED UP MY CAR, DRIVING HOME, IT FELT EXACTLY AS WHEN I DROPPED OFF MY CAR. I CALLED THEM BACK NEXT DAY TO ADVISE OF SAME AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT MAY BE ABS MODULE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 15, 2021
THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC FAILURES OF BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL, MASTER CYLENDER, BOOSTER, ABS PUMP, ETC. IT'S A BADLY DESIGNED BRAKING SYSTEM THAT FAILS AT ANY TIME, PUTTING LIVES OF PEOPLE UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. MORE OFTEN THEN NOT THOSE FAILURES ARE OCCURRING AT LOW SPEEDS. BRAKE FAILURE IS MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD ESCAPE CARS THAT LOOKS LIKE OCCURRING MUCH MORE OFTEN THEN EVEN ON REST OF FORD VEHICLES.
Service brakes, Mar 18, 2021
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A SLUSHY PARKING LOT THE ABS BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BARELY STOPPING THE CAR. THE MASTER CYLINDER THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPLACED PROFESSIONALLY. THE PEDAL SOMETIMES STILL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND YOU NEVER NO WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. AN ON LINE SEARCH PROVED A PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 68,540 MILES! FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS THIS PREVALENT DEFECT. PLEASE HELP.
Service brakes, Mar 7, 2021
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES FOR BRAKE ISSUES, FOUND ABS UNIT HAD FAILED. FORD REPLACEMENT UNITS ON BACKORDER. HAD TO SOURCE USED ABS UNIT. THERE ARE KNOWN RECALLS FOR OTHER MODEL FORDS USING SIMILAR ABS UNITS.
Service brakes, Feb 23, 2021
ALL OF A SUDDEN SOFT PEDAL TO FLOOR AFTER ABS EVENT. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPER, BLEED MULTIPLE TIMES - NO SUCCESS. ABS MODULE IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY BUT NO CODE. BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE AFTER SERVICE WITH DEALER. CAN NOT BUY $1200 PART TO REPAIR. SEEMS TO BE A BUNCH OF THESE REPORTS PILING UP IN 2008-2009 GENERATION OVER PAST 24 MONTHS. FORD FUSION OF SAME GENERATION HAS RECALL FOR THIS PART. WOULD DRIVE THIS WITH OUT ABS IF I COULD BUT THE DESIGN SEEMS TO CAUSE ALL BRAKING TO BE LOST. VERY DANGEROUS! MULTI-GENERATION FORD OWNER ABOUT TO JUMP SHIP BECAUSE NO SUPPORT.
Service brakes, Feb 1, 2021
DRIVING HOME I LOST THE ABILITY TO PROGRESSIVELY BRAKE, THE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VERY LAST PORTION. I WOULD RATE PROBABLY 95% OF DEAD SPACE AND THE SUDDEN BRAKING POWER. WELL 'SUDDEN'. ALMOST WRECKED A FEW TIMES ON THE LAST 5 MILES HOME.
Service brakes, Jan 21, 2021
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS AN ABS MODUEL CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES FOR AN 09 MODEL
Service brakes, Jan 6, 2021
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2009 FORD ESCAPE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP. MY MECHANIC PUT A NEW BREAK MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM ON AND THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY FOR A WEEK. THEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE SAME FRIGHTENING EVENT OCCURRED. SHE IS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON HER CAR WHICH IS SITTING IN THE GARAGE NOW. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WERE EXPERIENCING NATION WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE AND THE ITEM WAS ON BACK ORDER WITH NO HOPE OF A DELIVERY DATE FOR A NEW ONE. I'VE NOTICED A BIG NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. HOW MANY LIVES WILL IT COST BEFORE FORD ISSUES A RECALL AND FIXES THIS ISSUE. MY DAUGHTER CAN'T AFFORD THE MORE THAN $1000.00 COST OF A REPAIR...EVEN IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Jan 5, 2021, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE AND THE ABS BRAKES ACTIVATED DUE TO A SLIPPERY SPOT ON THE ROAD. THEN A CAR STOPPED QUICK IN FRONT OF ME AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN NO BRAKES, I WENT OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED. WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD ABS MODULA. CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD IT COULD BE $2,000 TO REPAIR. I SEE RECALLS ON FORDS 2006-2010. BUT NOT MY FORD ESCAPE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN A RECALL. MY 2009 FORD WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IN MY FAMILY EVER SINCE. NOW I HAVE THE CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VERY THANKFUL NO ONE WAS INJURED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND OTHERS. THANK YOU
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 29, 2020
MY FORD ESCAPE LIMETED JUST STARTED MAKING A NOISE OUT OF NOWHERE AND BEFORE IT STARTED I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND IT WOULD STOP RUNNING
Service brakes, Dec 15, 2020
BRAKES JUST WENT MUSHY 2 DAYS AGO. PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING IS SLOW AND POOR - VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR AND BEING ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. LOOKING ONLINE IT SOUNDS LIKE AN ABS FAILURE.
Service brakes, Dec 3, 2020
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE, DASH WARNING LIGHTS CONFIRM THE UNIT IS NOT FUNCTIONING, I ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE THRU FORD, AND IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED DATE OF AVAILABILITY.THIS SEEMS TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. PERHAPS A RECALL IS NEEDED.
Service brakes, Nov 27, 2020
THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT BAD RECENTLY ON OUR VEHICLE. WHILE REPLACING IT AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE ABS MODULE WERE ALSO BAD. THESE PARTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS MODULE TO GO BAD ON FORD ESCAPES. WITH SO MANY OF THESE PARTS GOING BAD SOMEBODY SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, CARS NEED RELIABLE BRAKES. UNFORTUNATELY, IF THIS HAPPENS GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD CAUSE WRECKS. SINCE THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IT IS COSTING ME OVER $1,000 TO GET IT FIXED.