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 8, 2018
A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AT APPROX 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT LIT. I PULLED OVER RE-STARTED CAR, DROVE ANOTHER 2 MILES AND SAME HAPPENED WHILE GOING AROUND A BEND IN ROAD CAUSING ME TO PARTIALLY GO INTO ONCOMING LANE. THIS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES WHILE BRINGING CAR TO REPAIR SHOP AND NOW TOLD I NEED A COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO ALL COMPUTERIZED STEERING CONTROLS BEING LOCATED IN THE COLUMN. IS FORD DOING ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS OBVIOUS COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM ? I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Oct 7, 2018
ON 10/6/18 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN STIFFNESS IN MY STEERING WHEEL AS I TURNED THE CORNER ON A MAIN CITY STREET. AT THIS POINT I HAD TO PULL OVER CAUTIOUSLY THREE BLOCKS AWAY INTO A GAS STATION AND CALL TRIPLE AAA TO GET TOWED HOME. THE TRIPLE AAA EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT AROUND THE GAS STATION NOTING ALSO THAT THERE IS AN ON AND OFF STIFFNESS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I GOT TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN SINCE ITS SATURDAY NIGHT, AND NO ONE IS OPEN. IT WILL NEED TO BE TOWED FORD OR ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP. BASED ON THE RECALL INFORMATION, I COULD POSSIBLY NOT BELONG IN JOB#1 FROM KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. I AM HOPING THIS RECALL APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE. I WILL CALL YOUR OFFICE ON MONDAY AS WELL AS MY FORD DEALERSHIP. I HOPE THAT I CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE QUICKLY AND SAFELY. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER.
Steering, Oct 1, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CONTINUES TO GO IN AND OUT. I SEE THE RECALL FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. OBVIOUS MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALLED VEHICLES. ONLY 74K MILES.
Steering, Sep 22, 2018
POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE TO PUT ALL MY STRENGTH INTO BARELY BEING ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT WARNING, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING VEHICLE. AS OF NOW, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK AT ALL FOR NEARLY A WEEK. USUALLY, TURNING VEHICLE ON AND OFF OVER AND OVER WILL AT SOME POINT GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK BUT NOT ANYMORE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE HAPPENING WITH AN UNACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF FORD ESCAPES AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE!!! IS IT GOING TO TAKE TERRIBLY INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED?
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 16, 2018
HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN 20 MINUTES ON 08/16/2018: VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE STOPPED, ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASHBOARD AND LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING, SPEED CONTROL. WHEELS LOCKED UP AND ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN ON VEHICLE AGAIN.
Steering, Sep 13, 2018
WAS DRIVING AND POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED WORKING WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT.. ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT.
Steering, Sep 12, 2018
POWER STEERING ELEC ASSIST WENT OUT AND MUST USE MANUAL STEERING.
Steering, Sep 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (HUB CITY FORD, 2909 NW EVANGELINE THROUGHWAY, LAFAYETTE, LA 70507, (337) 233-4500) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Steering, Sep 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL BROWN FORD AT (734) 399-4244 (LOCATED AT 32222 PLYMOUTH RD, LIVONIA, MI 48150) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V28400 (STEERING) WAS A ONE TIME REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Steering, Aug 24, 2018
WHEN DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE AS I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRUCK, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON RESEARCH OF MY VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS AND FORD IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE USED TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY.
Steering, Aug 23, 2018
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLES POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WENT TO MANUAL CONTROL AND I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY ON MODELS OUT OF KANSAS CITY PLANT. APARENTLY THIS ISN'T THE CASE, AFTER RESEARCH THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND TOLD THE SAME THING BY FORD THAT IT'S NOT COVERED UNLESS IT CAME FROM KANSAS CITY PLANT. THIS REPAIR COST ME 2,228 DOLLARS AND ONLY 249 DOLLARS WAS LABOR. THE ONE PART FROM THE FORD DEALER WAS 1564 WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED SINCE FORD KNOWS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE IT CAUSED IT TO HAVE AN ISSUE.
Steering, Aug 17, 2018
A LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.
Steering, Aug 7, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY POWER STEERING GO OUT RECENTLY. IT STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2018. WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD NO POWER STEERING, AND I HAVE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND MOST OF MY DAILY COMMUTE IS ON THE HIGHWAY.
Steering, Aug 7, 2018
THE POWER STEERING IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL BUT NOT MY VEHICLES VIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE KIDS AND CANT DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH STEERING ISSUES AND DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ONLY CERTAIN VINS WERE GIVEN THE RECALL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT WHERE AFTER RESEARCHING IS WHERE THE RECALLS WERE FROM
Steering, Aug 5, 2018
TRACKING #11113388 FILED 7/24/18 UPDATE. LOST USE OF POWER STEERING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. CAR INITIALLY TAKEN TO FIRESTONE WHO CONTACTED FORD WITH DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD TO REPLACE SENSOR- THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. FIRESTONE REFERRED US BACK TO FORD REPAIR DUE TO THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE AND RECALL ON SENSOR/SOFTWARE. CAR TAKEN TO FORD; AFTER DIAGNOSTIC- STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACING AT A COST TO THE OWNER OF $1600; WORK COMPLETED.
Steering, Jul 24, 2018
ERROR MESSAGE: 'POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT' TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 35MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR.
Steering, Jul 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE EPS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER (JAMES FORD OF WILLIAMSON LLC, 3923 NY-104, WILLIAMSON, NY 14589, (315) 589-2299) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, STALLED, AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED TURNPIKE FORD OF CHARLESTON/MARMET AT 304-925-0431 (LOCATED AT 7891 MACCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25315) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WAS SERVICED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.
Steering, Jul 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Jun 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BILL KAY FORD, 2556 S CICERO AVE, MIDLOTHIAN, IL) WAS CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIR EXPENSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Steering, Jun 27, 2018
STEERING LOOSES ASSIST. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED PARKED. COULD NOT MOVE VEHICLE OUT OF SPOT BECAUSE COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE.
Steering, Jun 26, 2018
MY STEERING WENT FROM EASY TO TURN TO VERY HARD TO TURN. I WAS PULLING ONTO HIGHWAY AND IT WENT TO SO HARD TO TURN I COULD NOT TURN BACK INTO THE LANE I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PULLING INTO. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME EITHER!! I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVER BUT FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. I KNOW I AM ONLY ONE LIFE BUT I AM A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A FRIEND AND I THINK THAT MAKES MY LIFE PRETTY IMPORTANT! THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP!
Steering, Jun 25, 2018
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Jun 25, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Jun 20, 2018, crash
'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT JUNE 8TH 2018 WHERE MY SUV WAS TOTALED OUT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY SO I'M TRYING TO SEE WHAT HELP CAN I GET. I WAS MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE SUV. I HIT MY HEAD BAD NOW I SUFFER HEAD ISSUES THAT I'M GETTING TREATED FOR ALSO I HAD A PASSENGER WHO WAS HURT.