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, Sep 5, 2020
LOST POWER STEERING IT COME THEN GOES NOW NOT WORKING. VERY HARD TO STEE. WAS JUST STARRING TO DRIVE
Steering, Sep 4, 2020
I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE MID MARCH 2020 AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE CAR STARTED BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T TURN! I WAS SHOCKED AND TRIED IT AGAIN BUT STILL THE SAME ISSUE. I LOOK UP THE PROBLEM FOR THE YEAR OF MY TRUCK A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AND FOUND THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM 2008 TO 2012 VEHICLES, SO ALL I WANT IS MY TRUCK FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE FORD CORPORATION RECALL NUMBER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY I WAS WONDERING WHY AS THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM YOU CAN GET IN A CAR CRASH AND DIE I HAVE A 10 YEAR OLD SON AND I AM DISABLED I NEED MY TRUCK TO WORK.
Steering, Sep 1, 2020
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE...POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING...ONLY WAY TO RESET IS TO DISCONNECT NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL FOR A FEW MINUTES...THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY...IF IT HAPPENS WHILE TURNING IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO BRING BACK TO CENTER...THERE IS A FORD RECALL ON THE MODEL YEAR OF MY FOED ESCAPE...THIS FORD WAS MADE AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE AFFECTED VIN #S...KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT...AS I STATED , WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSECTION , THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE...I DONT SEE HOW FORD DOESN'T INCLUDE THIS CAR IN THEIR RECALL...THANK YOU
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 31, 2020
WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS AND DEFAULTS TO MANUAL STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND STATIONARY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ACTUALLY SNAP BACK WHILE HOLDING IT STEERING. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILS TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS WELL. THIS HAS PERIODICALLY BEEN HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH THE DATE LISTED IS TODAY. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED MY VEHICLE WASN'T MANUFACTURED AT THE SPECIFIC PLANT SO IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES (EVEN THOUGH IT'S EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUES AS THE RECALL) AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY $1500+ OUT OF POCKET TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
Steering, Aug 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER COURTESY FORD LOCATED AT 2022T REES ST, BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 70517, (337) 332-2145, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN 2012. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. *BF*AS
Steering, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AND TURNING ON THE IGNITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NEEDING THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER FORD OF LONDONDERRY LOCATED AT 33 NASHUA RD, LONDONDERRY, NH 03053, (603) 434-4141, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Aug 3, 2020
ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. TURN VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKED FINE UNTIL RECENTLY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND BACK OFF. SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T
Steering, Jul 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START OF THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,200.
Steering, Jul 11, 2020
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. NO INDICATION ON DASH. NO CEL. RESTORES WHEN RESTARTING SEVERAL TIMES.
Steering, Jun 30, 2020
POWER STEERING WOULD GO IN AND OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN WHEN TRYING TO TURN
Steering, Jun 29, 2020
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING HOME. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WASN'T EXPECTING THE MALFUNCTION. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOW AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR'S SUDDEN STIFF WHEEL.
Steering, Jun 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY FOR A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING TO THE DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALBERIC FORD LOCATED AT AVENIDA 65 DE INFANTERA KM. 5.3, PARQUE ESCORIAL, CAROLINA, PR 00984, 787-474-2222, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,739.
Steering, Jun 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY, DISENGAGED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE OPERATE AS DESIGNED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOULTION FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 235.
Steering, Jun 3, 2020
I AM GETTING ANPOWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD LED INFORMATION SCREEN. HAPPENED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DIAGONAL PARKING SPOT ON A CITY STREET. I JUST LEARNED OF THIS RECALL. I AM THE SECOND OWNER SO I NEVER GOT A NOTICE OF RECALL. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN JUNE OF 2018 THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR AWHILE ANY TIME THAT A MECHANIC USES HIS TESTER TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT RETURNS. IT IS REALLY HARD TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. ESPECIALLY IF TURNING FROM A STOP OR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. NTDA CAMPAIGN #: 14V284000 *TR
Steering, May 19, 2020
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I WENT TO GROCERY STORE PARKED, GOT OUT SHOPPED CAME OUT STARTED CAR COULD NOT STEER IT WENT OUT. CALLED HUSBAND HE CAME AND DRIVE HOME. WE HAD IT RESET DROVE FOR 2 WEEKS. WENT OUT AGAIN. RESET AGAIN WENT OUT AGAIN THAT TIME ABOUT 3 MONTHS. REALLY TIRED OF THIS IT SHOULD BE COVERED RECALL OTHER ESCAPES ARE!! VERY UPSETTING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 13, 2020
POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, May 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TR
Steering, Apr 28, 2020
THE STEERING ON MY VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. LOSING POWER STEERING AT THE DROP OF A HAT. IT CAN BE FIXED TEMPORARILY BY TURNING THE KEY OFF AND ON THREE TIMES. BUT IT COMES RIGHT BACK, AND IS HARD TO STEER. I CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER ON YOUR RECALL SITE, AND IT SAYS ZERO UNFIXED PROBLEMS. BUT IT DOES NOT SAY IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL, OF IF THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BEFORE. A COMPUTER RESET CAN FIX THEY SYMPTOMS, BUT IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS USUALLY THE STEERING MODULE. CAN YOU CHECK TO SEE IF THEY DID FIX "A" PROBLEM, AND WHAT WAS DONE. A CODE WAS KICKED OUT BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC. THAT CODE WAS B1342-2F-CM0TC-ECV
Steering, Apr 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING CEASED AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING ASSIST. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
Steering, Mar 31, 2020
ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST HAS STOPS WORKING SEVERAL TIMES.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2020
THE KEY HAS A HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT MAY BE THE IGNITION MODULE.
Steering, Mar 8, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LAST JANUARY OF 2019 AND A FEW MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP I NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO USE. I STOPPED AT A STORE ONE DAY TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN IT, TO LATER FIND OUT THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT TAKE FLUID BUT IS COMPUTERIZED. I STARTED TO LOOK UP KNOWN ISSUES WITH A 2009 FORD ESCAPE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THIS, OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY PUT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH ABOUT BUYING FORDS IN THE FUTURE. I'M SEEING SO MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT FORD WON'T TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, IT WORKS AND THEN OUT THE BLUE THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND I SHOULDVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS RECALL BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. I NEVER WOULD'VE BOUGHT IT. FORD PLEASE HANDLE THIS SITUATION. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING ON ME AGAIN TODAY, AND I MAKE MY MONEY DRIVING UBER. HELP !!!
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEEHY FORD LINCOLN OF RICHMOND LOCATED AT (10601 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, RICHMOND, VA 23235), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,687.
Steering, Mar 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND EMIT A NOISE WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR STEERING FAILURE UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALERSHIP GALPIN FORD LOCATED AT (15505 ROSCOE BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91343, 818-787-3800) WHO PERFORMED THE ORIGINAL RECALL REPAIR IN 2014. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Steering, Mar 1, 2020
POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING MAKING STEERING CONTROL VERY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. IT EVENTUALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS VISITING FLORENCE, OR FROM SEATTLE, WA. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS ON A CITY STREET AT A LOW SPEED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUVER ESPECIALLY TURNING AND PARKING. AFTER THAT IT HAPPENED ANY WHERE I DROVE. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE FOR SOME OTHER PROBLEMS AND MENTIONED THIS. THEY DID RESEARCH FINDING OUT ABOUT A RECALL THAT HAD BEEN DONE ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THAT ISSUE. I MYSELF THEN DID SOME RESEARCH FINDING OUT THAT IT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR THE RECALL IN JUNE OF 2014. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE JOHNSTON MOTOR CO. IN FLORENCE, OR. THEY DID TESTING AND FOUND THAT IT IS RECCOMENDED THAT THE PSCM/STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED, ESTIMATED COST IS $1690 AND SINCE FORD DID THE "SENSOR REPLACEMENT" ON THE RECAL L IT NOW MY PROBLEM. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED THROUGH THE RECALL AND ARE NOW DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME TO SEATTLE FROM FLORENCE OR WITH NO POWER STEERING AND PRAY THAT IT DIDN'T LOCK UP COMPLETELY. I AM A 70 YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH BACK PROBLEMS AND ARTHRITIS, I WAS IN PAIN TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STAND UP STRAIGHT FOR 4 DAYS AFTER DRIVING HOME, HERDING THAT MONSTER DOWN THE ROAD. MILEAGE AT TIME OF THIS IS AT 67,400.