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: steering
828 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Dec 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT 45 MPH, THE "POWER STEERING SENSOR FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK SAFELY, HOWEVER, ONCE I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED A LOSS OF STEERING. THERE HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE, YET MY VIN NUMBER ON THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL LIST. HAD THE LOSS OF STEERING OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY CURVED ROADS WHERE I LIVE IN FLORIDA. ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A MONTH.
Steering, Dec 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Steering, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO GREENWAY FORD (9001 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (888) 984-4895) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Steering, Nov 28, 2020
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND OPERATED. THERE IS RECALL 14S05 OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR ESCAPES BUILT IN THE KANSAS CITY PLANT WHICH THIS ONE WAS. OBVIOUSLY MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHERE I CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND THEN TURN IT OFF, RESTART THE CAR TO CONTINUE. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. IT HAPPENS BOTH GOING STRAIGHT AND MAKING A TURN. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I WILL LIST THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Steering, Nov 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER DORIAN FORD (35900 GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TWP, MI 48035: (586) 792-4100) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Steering, Nov 21, 2020
POWER STEERING FAILS DURING DRIVING AND STATIONARY.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND THEN THE CAR LOSE POWER AND SHUTS OFF
Steering, Nov 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,658.
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 16, 2020
WHEN DRIVING POWER STEERING GOES OUT. POWER ASSIST LIGHT COMES ON. CALLED FORD AND THEY STATE THIS VIN IS NOT AFFECTED AND ITS ONLY ON A SELECT # OF VIN'S. FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN THERE ARE 591 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MILEAGE IS AT 122,000 FOR THIS ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET AT THIS TIME.
Steering, Nov 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HER RESIDENCE. VALLEY FORD LOCATED AT 910 S 1ST ST, YAKIMA, WA 98901, (509) 453-3125, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
Steering, Nov 9, 2020
MY ESCAPE'S STEERING WHEEL BEGAN LOCKING UP WHEN I WOULD START THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT WORKING AFTER RESTARTING IT A COUPLE TIMES, AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. AFTER AWHILE I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT BUT IT WAS NOT URGENT. HE GREASED MY WHEEL TO MAKE IT LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOCKING UP, WHICH WORKED FOR A BIT. THE WHEEL STARTED LOCKING UP AGAIN WHEN I WOULD START THE CAR, AND IT GOT HARDER TO FIX IT OVER TIME. IT EVENTUALLY STARTED LOCKING UP WHILE I DROVE, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC NEAR ME. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN LEXINGTON, KY, WHERE IT WAS NOT SERVICED. I WAS TOLD AGAIN I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE MY POWER STEERING WAS OUT BY BOTH MECHANICS. I TOOK IT TO YET ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. MY ESCAPE HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED UNDER THE PREVIOUS STEERING RECALL, BUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT OWN ESCAPES RECENTLY, AND IT WILL RESULT IN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT IF NOT FIXED.
Steering, Nov 8, 2020
VEHICLE LOSS OF STEERING POWER ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, HARD TO STEER VEHICLE AFTER SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE STEERING CONTROL WORKED AGAIN BUT IT CONTINUE HAVING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT LOST CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING CAUSING MY WIFE TO STRUGGLE WITH STEERING WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD. IT HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. SEVERAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS EXPLAINED THAT THIS HAPPENS TO OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY WIFE. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A FEW YEARS BACK TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE WORKED ON ON A PSCM FOR THE STEERING WHEEL MOTION SENSOR WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME.
Steering, Nov 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS FRIEND WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING SEIZED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HENNESSEY FORD ATLANTA LOCATED AT 5675 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, (470) 602-2073. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2014 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) PRIOR TO HIM OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,850. *LN*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPORTS, REPAIR ORDERS, AS WELL AS RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR*AS
Steering, Nov 2, 2020
WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED, TALKED TO DEALERSHIP TO WORK WITH ME SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT II DID FIND IT THE NUMBER IS 14V284000. OR RECALL 14S05. THE FORD COMPANY IS MONARCH FORD IN EXETER, CALIF. PLEASE HELP I DRIVE FOR MY BUSINESS.
Steering, Nov 1, 2020
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO VEER INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWNTOWN IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS NOT RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER, HOWEVER, OTHER RECALLS HAVE HAPPENED FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AND FORD HAS A BIG LAWSUIT.
Steering, Oct 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH WEBB FORD, INC. (9809 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322, (219) 924-3400) BY PHONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Steering, Oct 26, 2020
WHEN DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY, THUS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STEERING FAILED IN MOTION. THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY FAILED PERMANENTLY. CHECKING FOR RECALLS, MY MECHANIC NOTED A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND YEAR, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VIN. .
Steering, Oct 22, 2020
WHEN I START MY ESCAPE MOST OF THE TIME THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. IT WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Oct 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TEST DRIVEN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMITH TOWN FORD (440 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE, SAINT JAMES, NY 11780, (631)265-2340 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
I ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION I HAVE TO TRY MANY WAYS TO GET IT TO START THE KEY HAS TO BE TURNED CERTAIN WAYS AND IT IS A STRUGGLE EVERY TIME AND I HAVE IT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I CANNOT JUST PUT THE KEY IN AND START IT I HAVE TO PLAY WIHT IT EVERY TIME
Steering, Sep 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SCREEN DISPLAY STARTED BEEPING. THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST, REQUIRING EXTRA EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL ON THE STEERING. HOFFMAN FORD (5200 JONESTOWN RD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112, (717) 657-1600) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY $3,000 TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.
Steering, Sep 20, 2020
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD DRIVEN IT TO AN APPT. WITH NO PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING WHEN I CAME OUT 10 MIN. LATER. I READ WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL WHICH DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD REPAIR ALL OF THE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP .
Steering, Sep 16, 2020
I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED IT OFF AND THE ON AND IT WORKED OK. 3 DAYS LATER I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN, THIS TIME TURNING IT ON AND OFF DIDN'T WORK. I CAN'T USE THE CAR.
Steering, Sep 9, 2020
STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.