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, Jun 26, 2019
STEERING FREEZES UPON START UP. WAS ABLE TO REST AT MULTIPLE TIMES AND POWER STEERING KICKED IN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. TODAY THIS HAPPENED AND TOOK OVER 30 MINUTES OF RESTARTING TO KICK IN, BUT THEN IT ALSO LOCKED BACK UP SEVERAL MILES DOWN THE ROAD AS I WAS DRIVING.
Steering, Jun 26, 2019
ON APRIL 15, 2019, WE PURCHASED THE USED 2009 FORD ESCAPE WITH LESS THAN 33,000 MILES. OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER DROVE IT TO WORK ON APRIL 17, 2019 WITH NO NOTICEABLE ISSUES, AND WHEN SHE WAS ON HER WAY HOME, SHE NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ESCAPE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT FOR HER TO MOVE AS SHE WAS LEAVING WORK AND COMING HOME. WE HAD PURCHASED THE ESCAPE ONLY 2 DAYS PRIOR, SO WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHICH SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO KNOWN ISSUES, OF COARSE. WE TOOK THE ESCAPE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THE COMPUTER HAD BEEN RESET FOR THIS ISSUE IN 2014, WHEN A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HE SAID AS TIGHT AS THE STEERING WAS, IT WAS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY TRIED RESETTING IT AGAIN WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS AT ALL. ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE THEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED OUR DAUGHTER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING. WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK, BUT WAS NOTIFIED FROM THE REPAIR MAN THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 2014 FOR THIS REASON. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES TODAY, AND ONE INFORMED ME THAT THIS ESCAPE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS IN THE 2008-2011 RANGE. I UNDERSTAND THE VIN NUMBER WAS RUN AND THEY SAID NO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT I HAVE THE REPAIR WORK TO PROVE IT DID. SO I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESEARCHED FURTHER IF POSSIBLE, WITH THIS HAPPENING, WHY WAS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? REIMBURSED? ONE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS ESCAPE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED IN THE LOCATION THE OTHERS WERE ON THE RECALL LIST SO THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, YET IT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE?? THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. THANK YOU
Steering, Jun 12, 2019
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST CUTS OUT. HAVE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT STARTS WORKING. HAS NOT CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING YET.
Steering, Jun 10, 2019
THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR. AFTER A REVIEW ONLINE I SEE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ESCAPE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THE STEERING IS ELECTRIC SO NO FLUID CAN BE PUT IN THE CAR. I WAS PARKED AND STARTED THE CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TRIED TURNING OF THE CAR AND RESTARTING BUT IT WAS STILL THE SAME. ON A SIDE NOTE I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 06/06/19 FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP FOR MY DAUGHTER. IT DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF DRIVING IT.
Steering, May 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLAN VIGIL FORD OF FAYETTEVILLE (LOCATED AT 275 GLYNN ST N, FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214, (770) 461-1151) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Steering, May 29, 2019
EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 15 MPH. DEALER NOTES "REPLACED STEERING TORQUE ANGLE SENSOR" FOR CODE P2278. VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL OF 2008-2011 FORD ESCAPES EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, May 16, 2019
THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE WHEEL OF THE CAR LOCKS WHEN YOU TRY TOO TURN WHEN DRIVING WHEEL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE SENSORS EVEN THOUGH WE REPLACED THEM KEEP BLOWING WHICH CAUSING THE TRUCK TO DECLINE IN SPEED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. WE HAD TO TURN IT ONTO TO THE GRASS TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. CONSTANT ENGINE ISSUES AFTER WE HAD IT FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. WE ARE IN A FINANCIAL NEGATIVE BECAUSE OF THIS TRUCK. THE TIRE SENSORS KEEP GOING ALSO. THESE ISSUES ARE HAPPENING AFTER WE HAVE GOTTEN THIS TRUCK FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MORE DANGEROUSLY WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IT. THE BRAKES, STEERING WHEEL, TRANSMISSION AN THE ENGINE ARE ALL FAULTY. WE HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS OUR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND WE ARE BEHIND WITH THE NOTES. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY THERE IS A GRINDING, ALMOST LIKE THE WHEELS WANT TO FALL OFF. WE NEED THIS FIXED WE NEED HELP!!!!!
Steering, May 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE COMPUTER DUE TO THE EPS FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR MAY FLASH IN THE EVENT OF THE FAILURE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. APPLE FORD LINCOLN APPLE VALLEY (6961, 7200 150TH ST W, APPLE VALLEY, MN 55124, (952) 204-9657) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR FURTHER TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED AS OF YET. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS TO TEST AND DIAGNOSE THE EPS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCLUDED THE VIN FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, May 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTINGTON FORD LINCOLN (333 W JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743, (833) 386-3267) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOUSING AND COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,800. *BF *JB
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 29, 2019
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING ANY POINT IN DRIVING.
Steering, Apr 23, 2019
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL NOT ENGAGE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED.
Steering, Apr 20, 2019
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE
Steering, Apr 17, 2019
STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE LIKE I WAS OUT OF CONTROL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS..
Steering, Apr 12, 2019
DUE TO A RECALL ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY (NHTSA RECALL 14V-284), JERRY'S FORD (ANNANDALE, VA) REPLACED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON JULY 24, 2014, AT NO CHARGE. AT THE TIME, THE ESCAPE'S MILEAGE WAS 32,950. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2019, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC A FEW MILES FROM OURISMAN FORD (6129 RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA). WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, I MANAGED TO DRIVE TO OURISMAN, WHERE, TWO DAYS LATER, THEY REPLACED THE FAILED SYSTEM AT A COST OF $2,319.97. AT THAT TIME, THE ESCAPE'S MILEAGE WAS 54,061. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ON RECALL LASTED ONLY 21,111 MILES AND FEWER THAN 4.5 YEARS. THE ESCAPE IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2008. IT'S REASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT THE PART WOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER, ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ON FEBRUARY 22, I SPOKE WITH BRENDON AT FORD CORPORATE (800.392.3673). HE SAID HE COULD DO NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER. ON FEBRUARY 28, I SPOKE WITH CHUCK JACKOWSKI AT OURISMAN, WHO SAID HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP AND WOULD CALL ME BACK, BUT DID NOT CALL. WHEN I CALLED AGAIN ON MARCH 7, CHUCK SAID HE DID NOT YET HAVE A SOLUTION, BUT WOULD FOLLOW UP AND CALL ME ON MARCH 8; HE DID NOT CALL. I CALLED CHUCK ONCE MORE ON MARCH 13 AND JOON KO ANSWERED. I IDENTIFIED MYSELF, JOON SAID HE WOULD GET CHUCK, BUT RETURNED TO SAY THAT CHUCK WAS BUSY AND WOULD CALL ME BACK SHORTLY. CHUCK DID NOT CALL. I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN TO FORD CORPORATE; NO REPLY.
Steering, Apr 7, 2019
MY POWER STEERING WENT TOTALLY OUT WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING ON A CITY STREET AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR!
Steering, Apr 2, 2019
MY CARS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER I STOPPED FOR GAS. PRIOR TO THIS MY CARS STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN EVER THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND NOT IN MOTION, LIKE WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE. THIS OCCURRED FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT MY VIN SAYS MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I CAN NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL ANYMORE WITHOUT A LOT OF EFFORT MAKING THE CAR TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Steering, Mar 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BY ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD (1155 AUTO MALL DR, LANCASTER, CA 93534, (888) 415-0959), THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Mar 25, 2019
POWER STEERING ASST. WENT OUT. ON CHECKING, THERE IS A FORD RECALL 14S05 FOR THAT PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO FORD, THE RECALL WORK WAS PREFORMED ON SEPT 11, 2014 BY JOE COOPER FORD. THEY FURNISHED ME A DOCUMENT # 680882E. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS WORK AND DO NOT THINK IT WAS PREFORMED. THE TORQUE SENSOR HAS GONE OUT AND THE CAR WENT INTO SUDDEN MANUAL STEERING WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO PERFORM. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN TULSA OK AT 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER ASSIST WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR AT THE TIME OF THE WARRANTY WORK
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING SO THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME BUT NOT ALL ESCAPES ON A CITY STREET WHILE I WAS TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION
Steering, Mar 22, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING A DANGEROUS ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHT. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HOME
Steering, Mar 20, 2019
POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED BEFORE IT JUST WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND TRIED TO BACK UP IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL.
Steering, Mar 18, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. OTHER VIN #S OF MY YEAR AND ASSEMBLY PLANT ARE COVERED BY RECALL, BUT NOT MINE. LANDERS FORD COLLIERVILLE ASSESSED PROBLEM AS STEERING ANGEL TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND PSCM INTERNALLY FAULTY. OBVIOUSLY MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR FREE REPAIR BY FORD.
Steering, Mar 16, 2019
I BOTH THE CAR USED BUT THE POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ABOUT TO CAUSE DEATH IT DID THE SAME THING THE RECALL SAID
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE. EXACT FAILURE AS REPORTED UNDER FORD RECALL # 14S05 BUT THIS SPECIFIC VIN# IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASH.
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE!! HAD TO TAKE TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS GIVEN CODE B2337B. SO NOW, THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1200 TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID IT'S NOT FUNCTIONING! THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. FORD COMPANY SAID THE POWER STEERING RECALL HASN'T INCLUDED MY VIN NUMBER YET BUT TO SAVE RECEIPT JUST IN CASE THAT CHANGES.