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: vehicle speed control
279 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2010
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND CRUISE HAD TO BE DISENGAGED TO STOP ACCELERATION. VEHICLE FAILED ON 2 OCCASIONS TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER ENTERING MERGE LANE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2010
A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE, I NOTICED MY ACCELERATOR VIBRATING UNDER MY FOOT. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS WHILE ACCELERATING MY CAR FELT LIKE IT STALLED- TO EXPLAIN I WOULD PUSH DOWN THE PEDAL AND THE CAR WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WAS REVVING UP THEN NOTHING! MY CAR WOULD STOP,NO FORWARD MOVEMENT, NO ENGINE SOUND, NOTHING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THEN MY CAR WOULD KICK IN AND MOVE, THIS "STALLING" ALMOST GOT ME HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED IT. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THIS OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY A TRUCK. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WHERE THEY CLAIMED TO FIX THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES NOW, EACH INCIDENT HAD ME JUST NEARLY GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR IN TOTAL FOR OVER A MONTH TRYING TO FIX THIS, NOT INCLUDING NOW HAVING HAD MY CAR FOR 10 DAYS AFTER MY ALMOST GETTING HIT BY A BUS. SO FAR NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM- THEY HAVE RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTER, REPLACE THE PETAL TWICE AND MADE OTHER ADJUSTMENT WITHOUT A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010
AT THE SHIFT LEVEL OF 40 TO 45 MPH THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING THE FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2010
THE GAS PEDAL OF THE ESCAPE (2009 MODEL) VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATES TO ABOUT 45 MPH. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR