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
1,693 reports, newest first.
Steering, Oct 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH WEBB FORD, INC. (9809 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322, (219) 924-3400) BY PHONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Steering, Oct 26, 2020
WHEN DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY, THUS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STEERING FAILED IN MOTION. THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY FAILED PERMANENTLY. CHECKING FOR RECALLS, MY MECHANIC NOTED A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND YEAR, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VIN. .
Steering, Oct 22, 2020
WHEN I START MY ESCAPE MOST OF THE TIME THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. IT WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Oct 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TEST DRIVEN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMITH TOWN FORD (440 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE, SAINT JAMES, NY 11780, (631)265-2340 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Wheels, Oct 19, 2020
FRONT WHEEL BEARING
Suspension, Oct 5, 2020
THE FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE HAS RUSTED OUT BY THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE RUSTED AREA IS CURRENTLY ABOUT SIX INCHES WIDE BY 2+ INCHES IN HEIGHT. LUCKILY, THIS WAS NOTICED WHILE I WAS CHANGING THE OIL.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
I ALWAYS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION I HAVE TO TRY MANY WAYS TO GET IT TO START THE KEY HAS TO BE TURNED CERTAIN WAYS AND IT IS A STRUGGLE EVERY TIME AND I HAVE IT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I CANNOT JUST PUT THE KEY IN AND START IT I HAVE TO PLAY WIHT IT EVERY TIME
Service brakes, Sep 26, 2020
TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FORD AND ANOTHER LOCAL GARAGE FOR ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY (SOFT PEDAL AND LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP). AFTER REPLACING ALL THE MECHANICAL PARTS THE ISSUE PERSISTED. FORD COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE, BUT THE OTHER GARAGE THINKS IT'S THE ABS MODULE. NO FAULT CODES OR ANYTHING TO BACK THIS UP. NOT SURE HOW TO TEST IT AND IT'S NOT WORTH THE VEHICLE VALUE TO REPLACE IT. FOR NOW THE CAR IS PARKED. I THINK FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Service brakes, Sep 22, 2020, crash
I HAVE A 2009 FORD ESCAPE APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE EARLY MORNING I SAW DEER STANDING IN THE ROAD, THEY USUALLY ALMOST ALWAYS MOVE OUT OF THE ROAD. AS I GOT CLOSER IT WAS OBVIOUS IT WASN'T GOING TO MOVE, SO I PUT THE BRAKES ON AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR... THUD...BUMP...CRUNCH BUT THE DEER HOBBLED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, I LOOK OVER AND THE DEER WAS IN THE FIELD PUTTING ON ITS BEST BREAK DANCING MOVES AND SUDDENLY TOOK A NAP. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE PUMPED THE BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES AND BRAKES CAME BACK, OFF TO WORK I WENT. AFTER WORK ON THE WAY HOME NO A/C, WHEN I GOT HOME THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE A/C CONDENSER. THEN JUST YESTERDAY LEAVING WORK IN THE ESCAPE, SOMEONE WALKED IN FRONT OF ME I PUT THE BRAKES ON AND TO THE FLOOR AGAIN...PUMP-PUMP-PUMP AND STOP.....SLOWLY.... THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME HAD A LOOK OF SHOCK THAT I WAS 6 INCHES FROM THEM. SORRY I YELL OUT THEY NOD BACK BEGRUDGINGLY. I THINK YA BUDDY YOU MADE OUT A LOT BETTER THAN THAT DEER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AND OH YA NOW I ALWAYS HAVE BRAKES THAT GO TO THE FLOOR.
Steering, Sep 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SCREEN DISPLAY STARTED BEEPING. THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST, REQUIRING EXTRA EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL ON THE STEERING. HOFFMAN FORD (5200 JONESTOWN RD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112, (717) 657-1600) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY $3,000 TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.
Steering, Sep 20, 2020
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD DRIVEN IT TO AN APPT. WITH NO PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING WHEN I CAME OUT 10 MIN. LATER. I READ WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL WHICH DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD REPAIR ALL OF THE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP .
Service brakes, Sep 19, 2020
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS A SEVERE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. THE BRAKE CALIPER IS CAUSING ENOUGH FRICTION ON THE ROTOR TO CAUSE THE RIM, TIRE, AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO BECOME OVER HEATED AND SMOKE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 125,000 MILES.
Steering, Sep 16, 2020
I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED IT OFF AND THE ON AND IT WORKED OK. 3 DAYS LATER I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN, THIS TIME TURNING IT ON AND OFF DIDN'T WORK. I CAN'T USE THE CAR.
Steering, Sep 9, 2020
STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
Steering, Sep 5, 2020
LOST POWER STEERING IT COME THEN GOES NOW NOT WORKING. VERY HARD TO STEE. WAS JUST STARRING TO DRIVE
Steering, Sep 4, 2020
I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE MID MARCH 2020 AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE CAR STARTED BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK AND WOULDN'T TURN! I WAS SHOCKED AND TRIED IT AGAIN BUT STILL THE SAME ISSUE. I LOOK UP THE PROBLEM FOR THE YEAR OF MY TRUCK A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AND FOUND THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM 2008 TO 2012 VEHICLES, SO ALL I WANT IS MY TRUCK FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE FORD CORPORATION RECALL NUMBER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY I WAS WONDERING WHY AS THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM YOU CAN GET IN A CAR CRASH AND DIE I HAVE A 10 YEAR OLD SON AND I AM DISABLED I NEED MY TRUCK TO WORK.
Steering, Sep 1, 2020
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE...POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING...ONLY WAY TO RESET IS TO DISCONNECT NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL FOR A FEW MINUTES...THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY...IF IT HAPPENS WHILE TURNING IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO BRING BACK TO CENTER...THERE IS A FORD RECALL ON THE MODEL YEAR OF MY FOED ESCAPE...THIS FORD WAS MADE AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE AFFECTED VIN #S...KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT...AS I STATED , WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSECTION , THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE...I DONT SEE HOW FORD DOESN'T INCLUDE THIS CAR IN THEIR RECALL...THANK YOU
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 31, 2020
WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS AND DEFAULTS TO MANUAL STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND STATIONARY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ACTUALLY SNAP BACK WHILE HOLDING IT STEERING. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILS TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS WELL. THIS HAS PERIODICALLY BEEN HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH THE DATE LISTED IS TODAY. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED MY VEHICLE WASN'T MANUFACTURED AT THE SPECIFIC PLANT SO IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES (EVEN THOUGH IT'S EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUES AS THE RECALL) AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY $1500+ OUT OF POCKET TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 24, 2020
STARTER STUCK WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND REMOVED KEY I REPLACED MY STARTER TO FIND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT NOW MY CAR WON'T START THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED NOT RUNNING
Steering, Aug 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER COURTESY FORD LOCATED AT 2022T REES ST, BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 70517, (337) 332-2145, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN 2012. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. *BF*AS
Steering, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AND TURNING ON THE IGNITION, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NEEDING THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER FORD OF LONDONDERRY LOCATED AT 33 NASHUA RD, LONDONDERRY, NH 03053, (603) 434-4141, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Aug 3, 2020
ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. TURN VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKED FINE UNTIL RECENTLY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND BACK OFF. SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T
Steering, Jul 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START OF THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,200.
Steering, Jul 11, 2020
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. NO INDICATION ON DASH. NO CEL. RESTORES WHEN RESTARTING SEVERAL TIMES.
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2020
FAULTY ABS MODULE. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.