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, Oct 28, 2019
MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IS NO LONGER WORKING. MECHANICS WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL AND FORD WON'T FIX IT SAYING IT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE POWER STEERING CLICKS ON AND OFF MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DURING RESEARCH IT SAYS UNLESS THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AT THE TIME THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN, THEY WOULD ONLY DO A SOFTWARE UPDATE, WHICH IS WHAT THEY MUST'VE DONE, AS NOW THE PART IS HAVING ISSUES AND I HAVE PROOF FROM MY MECHANIC TO VERIFY. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS PART TAKEN CARE OF?
Steering, Oct 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ACCELERATING AT 25 MPH, EXTRA FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE FORD LINCOLN SALES (885 HAGERTY DR, FREMONT, OH 43420, (800) 354-2220) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STEERING RACK; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.*JS
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED IT WAS HARD TO START IT WOULD TAKE ME A FEW TRYS, THEN IT WOULD START. I CALLED WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE SAID THAT IT IS JUST HARD TO START MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. AFTER TIME IT WILL NOT START AT ALL UNLESS I USE MY AUTOMATIC STARTER. TO FIX ON MY OWN WILL COST FOR PART $150 WHICH NOTHING IS COVERED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Oct 17, 2019
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. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, POWER STEERING CUTS OUT, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE MATCHES ALL THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING THE PLANT OF MAUNUFACTURER. SAME EXACT PROBLEM. FALLS IN THE CATEGORY, BUT THEY WONT COVER IT. WHAT DO I DO NOW!!!
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE, BATTERY LIGHT ON. NEW BATTERY AND NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING.
Steering, Oct 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WATERMARK FORD OF MADISONVILLE (1801 LANTAFF BLVD, MADISONVILLE, KY 42431, (270) 821-4100) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS:24520165. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,130.
Steering, Oct 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. APPLE FORD (8800 STANFORD BLVD, COLOMBIA, MD) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Oct 4, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND EVEN HARDER TO TURN.
Steering, Oct 3, 2019
WHEN I START THE CAR, MOST OF THE TIME THE ELECTRIC STEERING POWER ASSIST DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN OFF ENGINE AND WAIT ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTART ENGINE AND IT WILL WORK, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. MY WIFE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2019
WHEN I WAS HEADED TO DROP MY DAUGHTER OFF I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET THAT HAS SPEED BUMPS WHICH I USUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. UNTIL THIS MORNING (08/08/2019) WHEN MY POWER STEERING KICKED OFF AND I HAD TO PHYSICALLY TURN MY WHEEL. I SAW THE THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR 2009 FORD ESCAPES AND I WAS WONDERING IF MINE WAS ONE OF THEM.
Steering, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH ON GRAVEL ROAD. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE INDICATOR WAS STILL ON, POWER WAS LOST IN THE STEERING. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER FORD LINCOLN DRAPER (11442 LONE PEAK PKWY, DRAPER, UT 84020, (801) 590-0561) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V280000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,905. RECALL # XXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
Steering, Sep 24, 2019
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON FORD ESCAPES OR ANY OTHER FORD. IT APPEARS THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2008 -2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WIDESPREAD. THE FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM AND NOT A FORD RECALL PROBLEM. MAYBE THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THE ALL THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINTS.
Steering, Sep 23, 2019
I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO SCHOOL CLASS WHERE IT WAS PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS. ONCE I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AND TRIED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED WHERE IT I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I WAS 50 MINUTES FROM HOME AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK HOME WITH THE STEERING WHEEL BARELY BEING ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE. I CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER WHERE I HAD LOCATED A RECALL FOR VEHICLES MADE FROM 2008-2011 (FORD ESCAPE) CODE 14S05 THAT IMPACTED OVER 740,000 VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I NO LONGER HAD WARRANTY AND THAT THE COST WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY TRUCK. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A $1400.00 BILL TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR RACK AND LABOR CHARGES SINCE IT WILL TAKE OVER 5 + HOURS TO REPLACE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE IT IS A 2009 AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES DESCRIBED WITH THE RECALL NOTICE.
Steering, Aug 30, 2019, crash
CAR STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO STEER REGARDLESS OF SPEED BUT IT STARTED AT LOW SPEED. STEERING WHEEL WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK.
Steering, Aug 26, 2019
POWER STEERING JUST SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER/ TURN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND IS DANGEROUS. WHY IS IT NOT RECALLED?
Steering, Aug 22, 2019
THE ELECTRIC STEERING DECIDES WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK. I WILL TURN MY CAR ON AND I WONT BE ABLE TO STEER IT WITHOUT A LOT OF EFFORT. BUT SOMETIMES ITS COMPLETELY FINE AND STEERS WITH NO PROBLEM. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY TO GET THE STEERING TO WORK AND IT STILL WONT WORK.
Steering, Aug 14, 2019
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED, STILL DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN MOVING BUT NOT AS BAD. MAYBE 1 OUT OF 20 DAYS THE STEERING IS NORMAL BUT IT IS VERY RARE.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2019
STEERING HAS COMPLETELY FROZEN DURING OPERATION MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. I'M ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE ON FORDS BEHALF. ON A STRAIGHT ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 MPH. NEXT I HAD A LEFT TURN COMING AND MY STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN, AND ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. TO SAY I'M PETRIFIED OF MY VEHICLE AT THIS POINT IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT.
Steering, Jul 26, 2019
MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON A RURAL ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. SHE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CALLED HER DAD. HE TOLD HER TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART. WHEN SHE DID THIS THE POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONING NORMAL. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT WENT OUT AGAIN. SHE IS A VERY PETITE LESS THAN 100 POUND GIRL WITH MULTIPLE HEALTH ISSUES. SHE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL. HER DAD AND I WERE OUT OF TOWN AND SHE WAS STRANDED. A FRIEND CAME AND DROVE THE CAR HOME. POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY GOES IN AND OUT WHICH IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE!
Steering, Jul 22, 2019
THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK AND WE HAVE SEEN WHERE A LOT OF THESE SAME VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THESE.
Steering, Jul 19, 2019
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING AT START UP OR DRIVING WORKS ABOUT 3/4 OF THE TIME SO YOU DONT KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO QUIT WORKING NOT MUCH FUN ON A HIGH WAY OR IN TOWN DRIVING. HAD IT TESTED TOLD ITS FINE BUT IT IS A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF OWNS OF THIS THING. SEEMS FORD DOSNT THINK SO. IT STARTED ACTING UP ABOUT A MOUTH AGO.
Steering, Jul 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNRISE FORD (877-461-1956, LOCATED AT 16005 VALLEY BLVD, FONTANA, CA 92335) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
Steering, Jun 29, 2019
FAILURE OF POWER STEERING LESS THAN 1 YEAR AFTER REPLACEMENT OF STEERING TORQUE SENSOR AT RANDOM START UP.
Steering, Jun 28, 2019
POWER STEERING TORQUE ROTATION SENSOR. THE STEERING IS HARD TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN CAN BECOME HARD TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON IS NOT ON MY VEHICLE BUT ON SOME OF THE SAME MODEL. FORD HAS A RECALL 14S05 BUT FORD SAYS MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL.