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, Jul 23, 2021
Power steering not working. First noticed it on 7/21/21 while backing out of a parking spot. Very difficult steering the vehicle, especially during slow turning movements like backing up the vehicle or tight turns. Emergency movements would be near impossible. It was intermittent on 7/21/21 but it's now a consistent problem. No one else has looked at the vehicle and there were no warning lights.
Steering, Jul 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering suddenly failed while turning onto an exit ramp. During the failure, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering control module was faulty and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 14V284000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Steering, Jul 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed, the power steering ceased to operate without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure however, the Vin was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure but offered him no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2021
We have a 2009 ford escape.The electric power steering assist Has started to work intermittently. As my daughter drives this car, I can't have her driving it if all of a sudden the power steering is gonna not work. The local Ford garage said there was no outstanding recalls on it and offered no further help. Very disappointed and I'm not planning to ever buy another Ford.
Steering, Jun 24, 2021
Our 2009 Ford Escape built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant has experienced a complete failure of the Electric Power Steering System. There were no warning lights when the Electric Power Steering System failed causing the vehicle to revert back to manual steering. Once the power steering failed it took a greater amount of effort to steer the vehicle safely. I immediately took the vehicle to my repair shop where they determined that the vehicle had experienced a complete failure of the power steering assembly with a diagnostic code of B1342 (power steering module failure). The vehicle was repaired by replacing the Steering Column Assembly - CL8Z-3C529-D.
Steering, Jun 11, 2021
Vehicle lost power steering while in motion (low speed) which almost made me crash into a pole in a parking lot. Turned vehicle off, removed key from Ignition, reinserted key into ignition and started vehicle. No power steering still. No warning lamps or lights concerning steering. Checked recalls per VIN as this is a common occurrence with 2007-2011 Ford Escapes but am told that this vehicle does not fall under the recall notice.
Steering, Jun 10, 2021
Hello, I need help. I had my vehicle towed to Bill Knight Ford because the power steering goes out while you’re driving. There is a recall that fixes this. The recall has not been fixed but they are telling me it has been fixed. I know for fact the PCSM recall was not fixed! They are refusing to fix/look at it until I get the alternator fixed. I repeat this recall from 2015 that’s related to the power steering has not been fixed! This is unacceptable, please help.
Steering, Jun 1, 2021
5/30/21 Power steering failed.
Steering, Apr 30, 2021
ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT AND COOLS DOWNS THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN MOST OF THE TIME. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS
Steering, Apr 23, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER SENSOR FAULT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED STRAUB FORD (20 JEFFERSON AVE, MOUNDSVILLE, WV 26041, (888) 876-3387) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Steering, Apr 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 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 WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.*DT
Steering, Apr 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Steering, Apr 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SHULTS FORD SOUTH (900 REGIS AVE, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15236, (412) 653-5800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,395.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 2, 2021
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING TORQUE AND I DID PURCHASE THE VEHICLE UNTIL 2016. I AM NOW HAVING STEERING ISSUE WHERE MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING UP. ITHIS IS MY 2ND TIME ISSUE AN COMPLAINT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS AND HAS GOTTEN WORST. I SPOKE WITH FORD THIS WEEK AND WAS ADVISE THEY COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE THE RECALL DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE. I WIIL HAVE TO GET IT FIX MYSELF AND FILE A CLAIM WITH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIP FREE OF CHARGE. I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. WHY WAS THIS VEHICLE NOT FIXED IN THE RECALL. SHOULD I CONSULT WITH MY ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS MATTER? THANK GOD I HAVENT SUFFER ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT SO FAR SINCE THE WHEEL HAS BEEN LOCKING UP🙁
Steering, Mar 31, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BEING PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Mar 30, 2021
I PURCHASED A USED 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT THREE YEARS 8 MONTHS AGO. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS GONE. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL THAT BEGAN JULY OF 2014 AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD IT REPROGRAMMED BUT IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN WHICH SPEAKS TO IT BEING A CHRONIC ISSUE. AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL THAT CAME OUT OF THE KANSAS PLANT, IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST AS OPPOSED TO SIMPLY BEING REPROGRAMMED AS IT IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT RENDERS MY CAR UNDRIVABLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME SIX MONTHS AGO WHILE I WAS AT AN OFFICE DEPOT PARKING LOT ABOUT TO ACCESS A BUSY, MAIN THOROUGHFARE. I THOUGHT I FORGOT TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUE. THIS PAST SATURDAY, I RAN ERRANDS EARLY IN THE DAY AND EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING BUT LATER IN THE DAY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WENT OUT. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. APPARENTLY THE ISSUE FALLS UNDER THE PCR ELECTRONIC STEERING CATEGORY 14SO5
Steering, Mar 29, 2021
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAILED TWO TIMES. FIRST TIME EXPERIENCED NO POWER STEERING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED WAS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN TAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO CROSS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 22, 2021
I BOUGHT MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE NEW. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. BEFORE IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT THE STIRRING WOULD WORK, AND THEN IT WOULD STOP WORKING UNTIL ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST AND I WAS TOLD AROUND $1400 AND AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. SO THEN I STARTED RESEARCHING WITH MY VIN NUMBER. MY VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT. AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL HELPFUL PEOPLE BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE ACTUALLY INVESTIGATE THIS. I'M ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT ONLY IN EMERGENCIES. BECAUSE IT WILL TURN JUST NOT EASILY AS IT SHOULD. THANK YOU. I AM ALMOST POSITIVE IT'S THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. WITH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ELECTRIC PANEL WILL HAVE TO BE PULLED OUT FOR THE PART TO BE INSTALLED. ALSO I WAS GIVEN A RECALL 14S05. HOPEFULLY WITH THE DOCUMENTATION I UPLOADED AND THE RECALL
Steering, Mar 17, 2021
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY USED VEHICLE ABOUT HALF A YEAR AGO FROM A DEALERSHIP, I STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IN WHICH IT WOULD JUST RANDOMLY GO OUT WHENEVER I WAS DRIVING AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES DIDN'T MATTER (NO CERTAIN SPEED, OR TURNING, IT WAS ALL RANDOM). I COULD BE DRIVING ON A 70 MPH HIGHWAY, A 20 MPH TOWN, MID-TURN, OR JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT FOR SEVERAL MILES AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK, AND WOULD ONLY TEMPORARILY FIX ITSELF IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. MY VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE FLUID, AND WAS ON A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING TO BE FIXED. WE WEREN'T AWARE THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN BACK FOR THIS RECALL, SO WE TOOK IT TO AN ACTUAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD US THAT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN 'FIXED', WHERE THEY HAD REPROGRAMMED THE SENSOR IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. THE ONLY THING THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY THE REPAIRS TO FIX IT ARE SO EXPENSIVE (THEY TOLD ME ALMOST $3900 IN TOTAL, AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE FULL AMOUNT, BECAUSE AS FAR AS FORD WAS TECHNICALLY CONCERNED, THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM) WHEN IT'S STILL HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE, SO WHATEVER FIX THAT THEY DID DIDN'T WORK.
Steering, Mar 15, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK, I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I HAD TO MAKE A TURN AND NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS DOING ONLY 20MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WHEN I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, INCLUDING WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN PASS AT 65MPH. THERE HAS BEEN A FEW TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WENT TO START IT, THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO COME ON. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I TROUBLESHOOTED THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ASSIST. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL. I INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY MOTHER AND SHE AND MY STEP-FATHER WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAN BE TOWED TO BE REPAIRED.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 10, 2021
THE TORQUE SENSOR FOR MY CALL WAS REPAIRED DUE TO RECALL BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE RECALL ISSUE RELATED TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE HAS REOCCURRED AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.
Steering, Mar 10, 2021
DROVE MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS PARKED IT, WENT IN TO VISIT HUSBAND IN HOSPITAL WAS THERE FOR SIX HOURS CAME OUT STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE AND HAD AN IDIOT LIGHT POP UP THAT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING. NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO IT OR ANYTHING. IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD WITH A 25 BELOW WIND CHILL AND SNOWING HEAVILY ENDANGERING MY SAFETY TO GET HOME. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2008 TO 2012 ESCAPES BUT WHEN I CALLED AND REPORTED MY VIN THEY SAID MY CALL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, HOW CAN MY CAR NOT BE A PART OF THE RECALL WHEN IT DID EXACTLY WHAT WAS EXPLAINED WOULD HAPPEN IN THE RECALL. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE AND IF I CANT GET THIS RESOLVED I WILL CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, FILE A COMPLAINT WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THIS IS NOT AND ISSUE I HAVE CAUSED THUS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE YOU HAVE HAD WITH SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES OR A RECALL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
Steering, Mar 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPROGRAMMED THE POWER STEERING MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 2, 2021
STEERING HAS TENSION WITHOUT WARNING HAVE TO STOP KILL THE CAR WAIT. RESTART. TO RESET...ANY SUDDEN TURNS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.!!!!!!!! THERE SHOULD. NOT BE AN EXPIRATION ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
Steering, Mar 1, 2021
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD. ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GO OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. I WAS ABLE TO USE BRUTE FORCE TO GET BACK INTO MY LANE AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT.