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
Vehicle speed control, Jul 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MILES LATER AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 31, 2013
DRIVING VEHICLE APPROX. 50 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY, APPROX 105 DEGREES IN LAS VEGAS NV, THE RPM'S SUDDENLY WENT "LIMP" AROUND 900 EVEN THOUGH THE GAS PEDDLE WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. APPEARANCE OF A WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTED. HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED. RAN FINE LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF. SAME ISSUE. REPEAT TROUBLESHOOTING. INCIDENT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR 4 MORE DAYS CONSISTENTLY. TAKEN INTO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. MECHANIC CONTACTED ME AFTER DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED THAT THE CODE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY WAS IN ERROR. REPLACED THE FAULTY PART( I KEPT IT AT MY REQUEST DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER) AND THE VEHICLE NOW RUNS FINE. THANK GOODNESS THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED ANYONE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2013
VEHICLE MOVING AT CONSTANT 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE STUMBLE FELT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND LOST ALL ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SAFELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND ALL SYSTEMS WERE AGAIN OK. PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (THROTTLE BODY) AND FIX REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE PART. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE RT, SPEED LIMIT 55MPH AT 9PM, NO LIGHTING ALONG RT, ACCELERATING TO KEEP UP SPEED GOING UP A HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. PULLING OVER TO MY RIGHT (OFF THE ROAD ) PUTTING ON MY FLASHERS, WAS NOW AT A COMPLETE STOP WAS HIT IN REAR LEFT DOING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME.THE CAR THAT HIT ME LEFT THE SEEN OF THE ACCIDENT. NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.TOWED CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD FIXED, INTERNAL THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S ABOUT TO STALL. I IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT THEN START IT BACK UP. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN UNTIL I TOOK IT INTO A GARAGE TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 28, 2013
AT FULL SPEED ON THE FREEWAY THE THROTTLE BODY DECIDED TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND GO TO AN IDLE ONLY. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE SIDE OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WHILE WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED ALREADY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jul 28, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND GOT NO RESPONSE (NO ACCELERATION) TRIED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND STILL HAD NO RESPONSE AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON A SIDE STREET; HOWEVER, THIS WAS POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON A FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ONCE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, EVERYTHING WAS WORKING AGAIN. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO THEN HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER DUE TO THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 27, 2013
WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK WE LOSE ACCELERATION AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW 4 TIMES. THE IDLE SITS BETWEEN 800 & 1100 RPMS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT PINE LAKE FORD IN LAPORTE, INDIANA AND THEY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $383. OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECALL PROBLEM WHEN I INVESTIGATED IT. WE ARE AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT GIVEN THE FACT MOST OF OUR DRIVING IS HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHY ISN'T FORD OWNING UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL THIS PART? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE HURT OR BE KILLED BEFORE FORD TAKES ACTION? *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 25, 2013
DRIVING ABOUT 55-60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY GAS PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING AND MY TRUCK RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER & RESTART. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE 7 MILES TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER (TODDLER SON WAS WITH ME). I HAD TO GO TO THE NEAREST SERVICE SHOP AND ALMOST $500 LATER ITS BEING FIXED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2013
VEHICLE DIED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC AND IT INDICATED THE FUEL ACTUATOR WAS GETTING STUCK. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER, THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 24, 2013
VEHICLE JUST STOPPED DRIVING ALMOST LIKE IT STALLED AND THEN STARTED TO COAST. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 22, 2013
I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH IN TOWN WHEN VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE LOSING POWER. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT A VERY ROUGH IDLE . I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED IT . IT DID THE SAME THING, NO ACCELERATION. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD RUN PROPERLY. IT SEEMED RATHER JERKY WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND IT DIED COMPLETELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THIS TIME. I GOT IT RESTARTED AND MADE IT HOME. I HAVE A CODE READER AT MY HOUSE. I CHECKED AND CODES P2111 AND P2112 WERE STORED IN THE COMPUTER. I CHECKED WITH A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CODES RELATE TO THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. I WAS GOING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I' M AFRAID TO DRIVE. WHAT CAN I DO. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2013
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED DECELERATING AT A RAPID PACE. I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, AND THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY SEEMED TO STOP SENDING GAS TO THE ENGINE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND COAST TO A STOP. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY MY LIFETIME WARRANTY AND IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $600 IN TOWING, PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 22, 2013
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND YOU HAVE TO GET OFF OF HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART TO RESET COMPUTER. THIS WORKS FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND THEN IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. MY DEALERSHIP HAS THE CAR AND IS REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY SO WE CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND NOT BE IN DANGER. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY IN MORNING TRAFFIC WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55-60MPH WHEN ALL ACCELERATION CUT OFF AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND PUT MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE INTO PARK, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE WAS SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AND MY WRENCH LIGHT (POWERTRAIN) APPEARED IN THE DASH. SHUT OFF ENGINE, WAITED 1-2 MINS AND RESTART ENGINE. RAN NORMALLY, PULLED ONTO HIGHWAY AGAIN AND SET CRUISE WHEN THE SAME HAPPENED A 2ND TIME. HAPPENED 3-5 MORE TIMES (WITH & WITHOUT CRUISE) OVER THE NEXT DAY UNTIL I COULD GET MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. FORD DEALER ADVISED IT WAS THROTTLE BODY IN ADDITION TO OTHER SENSORS. (THE THROTTLE BODY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND COST ME $300 IN PARTS & LABOR!!) THE ERROR CODES WERE: P0012, P0341, P0346, P2111, & P2112. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2013
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE CAR WAS RUNNING JUST FINE WHEN IT SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND DIED. THE LITTLE WRENCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP. I TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE THE EXPERIENCES OF THE OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE. I HAD BEEN NOTICING A "FLUTTER" UNDER THE ACCELERATOR A FEW TIMES, BUT DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE RELATED. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM ESCAPE OWNERS ON OTHER SITES, FORD COMPANY'S REPUTATION IS SUFFERING. I HOPE OUR CONCERNS ARE BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 18, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR WAS GETTING NO POWER. LUCKILY THE FREEWAY WAS NOT CROWDED AND WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE PEDAL SEEMED TO BE WORKING. BUT 30 MILES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR 3 WEEKS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 18, 2013
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED. I'M DRIVING NORMALLY, AT A CONSTANT SPEED, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, RPMS DO WEIRD THINGS, GAS PEDAL DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL IN A DRIFT DOWNSPEED DOES NOTHING, PARK DOES NOTHING. PUTTING IT IN PARK AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE, AND STARTING AGAIN MAKES THE LIGHT GO AWAY AND RUN FINE AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS I TRAVEL WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS WILL HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. VERY DISAPPOINTED FORD WILL NOT RECALL AND FIX THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CONDITIONS, THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AND THE CAR BECOMES LIMP AND NON RESPONSIVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING HARD. HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART (WHICH WAS DIFFICULT). THIS OCCURRED AGAIN WITHIN MINUTES, THIS TIME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WENT DIRECTLY TO REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD THAT ERROR CODE P2111 WAS BEING SHOWN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME PROBLEMS CONTINUED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AS I AM WORRIED IT WILL DIE WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR THAT SOMEONE WILL REAR END US. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST SPEED AND RPMS. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT RAN AT AN IDLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART HAS NEED ON BACK ORDER FOR SOME TIME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 15, 2013
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25-30 MPH ON A SIDE STREET, VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND STALL, FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS DYING, SO WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, SAT FOR A FEW MINS, THEN RESTARTED AND PULLED OUT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER, SIMILAR ISSUE, WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 ON A SIDE STREET, CAR SPUTTERED, STALLED, SO PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, WAITED THEN RESTARTED. A FEW DAYS LATER, WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A SIDE STREET, SAME ISSUE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR A TOW. CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, WHICH I AM HAVING TO PAY $550 TO FIX. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2013
ACCELERATED TO ENTER FREEWAY, APROX 55 MPH, AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. IT PULLED ITSELF ALONG AT IDLE. I STOPPED, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT WITH NO PROBLEMS AFTERWARDS. I HAD IT SCANNED A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE STORED CODE WAS P2111. ETB (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY) STUCK OPEN/CLOSED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTLINE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR. I PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS, CHANGED TWO LANES TO GET TO THE RIGHT-HAND SHOULDER, AND STOPPED. FORTUNATELY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AT THE TIME (9:30PM). RESTARTING THE VEHICLE FIXED THE PROBLEM, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. HOWEVER DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2013
CAR SURGED THEN STALLED ON INTERSTATE 65MPH. 2ND TIME AT 40MPH ON COUNTY HWY. THROTTLE BODY BAD-PART ON NATIONAL BACKORDER 2 WEEK DELAY. *TR