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, Jan 9, 2020
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. NHTSA RECALL # 14S05 WAS REPAIRED ON 10/14/14 ACCORDING TO FORD DATABASE. CLEARLY, THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FORD USED TO REPLACE IS FAULTY AS WELL.
Steering, Jan 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BEAU TOWNSEND FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1020 W NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH 45377, (937)898-5841, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Steering, Engine, Jan 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN MANUAL STEERING MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS INSTRUCTED BY THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ALLOWED TO SIT TO HAVE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. LITHIA FORD LINCOLN OF FRESNO (195 E AUTO CENTER DR, FRESNO, CA 93710, (559) 435-8400) WAS CONTACTED AND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Jan 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SITE WHERE THE VEHICLE LAST EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2020
TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND AND DOME LIGHT BLINKS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING ALL OF THE TIME.
Steering, Jan 2, 2020
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT PARKED AT MY WORK. I STARTED MY ESCAPE HYBRID AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DASH SHOWED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" SOMEBODY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL, WITH THE "TORQUE SENSOR" ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, ON 2008-2012 ESCAPE MODELS, BUT NOT THE HYBRID MODELS. WHY? DON'T THE TWO VEHICLES HAVE SIMILAR PARTS? (BESIDE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR)
Steering, Dec 27, 2019
WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TURNING THE CORNER ONTO A CITY STREET. A LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE CAME ON AND STATED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT.
Steering, Dec 20, 2019
DRIVING HOME THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND ALMOST CRASHED .
Power train, Wheels, Service brakes, Dec 15, 2019
WHEN I ACCELERATE MY WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING AND GRINDING AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES HARD THEY SEEM TO NOT WANT TO STOP KEEPING MY ABS ON I FEEL THE GRINDING AND BRAKE ISSUE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THE FRONT WHEEL HOPS AND DOESN'T GET TRACTION WANTS TO CONSTANTLY SLIP AND WHEN I STOP IN SNOW THE BRAKES LOCK UP IN FRONT AND ABS STAYS ON FOR A BIT MIGHT BE GEAR DRIVE OR BEARING IT'S GETTING BAD. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF GAS TO GO AND THE ABS WHEN I NEED TO REALLY STOP. THIS STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I FINANCED IT THROUGH GENTHE CHEVROLET BUT I WORK MANY HOURS AND IT HAS TO BE FIXED BEFORE I END UP STRANDED OR IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I FIRST TEST DROVE IT IT WAS ACTING UP I TOLD THE SALESMAN DAVE TESKA HE TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED BUT HE MUST OF DOPED IT LIKE THE INTERIOR IT LOOKED NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT NOW IT HAS STAIN SPOTS AND LOOKS DIRTY I FOUND OUT IT WAS A FORD FABRIC PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AGAIN FROM GENTHE.
Steering, Dec 6, 2019
MY DAUGHTER WOULD INITIALLY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF ANYWHERE FROM 8-30 TIMES TO TRY TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO KICK IN BUT EVENTUALLY SHE WAS DRIVING AND IT JUST STOPPED WORKING FOR GOOD. THOUGH POWER STEERING SHOWS AS , "FIXED" AFTER A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON 2014,MY DAUGHTER WAS NEARLY IN A FATAL ACCIDENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT SUDDENLY. I SAW THAT THERE WERE TWO POSSIBLE ERROR CODES-ONE WAS A SOFTWARE CODE WHICH THAT SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD FIX BUT IF YOU HAVE THE ISSUE WITH TWO DIFFERENT CODES THEN THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN HAS TOEPLACED. WE HAVE BOTH CODES AND YET FORD DENIED IT BECAUSE OF THE PLANT AT WHICH IT WAS MADE. IT DID SAY THOUGH THAT SOME CARS MADE AT OUR PLANT WERE INCLUDED IN THE SECOND RECALL. I AM CERTAIN IT SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS, AS HAVE MANY OTHERS I'M SURE. I WANT FORD TO STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND I DON'T WANT SOME OTHER FAMILY TO FIND OUT WHEN THEIR DAUGHTER DOES DIE IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE REVIEW ALL CARS THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED
Steering, Dec 6, 2019
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED). BACK IN OCTOBER 2014, THE FORD DEALER DID A CODE CHECK FOR RECALL #14S05, AND ONLY REPROGRAMMED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A PARTS REPLACEMENT BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CAR TODAY.
Steering, Dec 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY KAYSER FORD LINCOLN (2303 W BELTLINE HWY, MADISON, WI 53713) IN 2016 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Steering, Dec 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALT SWEENEY FORD (5400 GLENWAY AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45238, (513) 922-4500) TO BE DIAGNOSED, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 3, 2019
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN JUST BEFORE I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AT A STOP LIGHT MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THEN I LOST ALL POWER ASSIST WITH THE VEHICLE THANKFULLY WE HADNT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC. THE POWER ASSIST IS NOW OFF AND ON
Steering, Dec 1, 2019
I WAS PULLING IN TO THE ROAD TOOK A RIGHT HAND TURN AND HAD NO POWER STEERING ,IT CAME BACK IN A COUPLE OF SECONDS NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... LATER THAT DAY I WENT TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY HAD NO STEERING AT ALL ALMOST HIT THE CAR BESIDE ME THEN A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH SAYING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT I NOW HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WENT IN THIS CAR THIS CAR IS THE MOST UNSAFE CAR I EVER DROVE
Steering, Nov 28, 2019
AS THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING ASSIST GAVE OUT BOTH DURING TURNS AND ON HIGHWAY TRAVEL. NO INDICATION OR WARNING WAS GIVEN AND THE CAR RECEIVES SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT FORD DEALERSHIPS. WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS MODEL IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECENT RECALL.
Steering, Nov 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOST POWER WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS (888-250-9459, LOCATED AT 2540 RIVA RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. *DT *TP
Steering, Nov 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Steering, Nov 23, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE, 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WAS A RECALL ISSUED? WHILE ENTERING A GAS STATION DRIVE THE POWER STEERING CEASED OPERATING AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ONLY DESTROYED A TRASH CAN NEXT THE THE ISLAND BEFORE HALTING THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS FORD MODEL IN 2014 FOR THE VERY PROBLEM THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING , POWER STEERING FAILURE, YET I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE TO HAVE MY CAR SERVICED EVEN THOUGH I HAVE IT SERVICED AT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND STILL MAINTAIN POSSESSION OF IT.
Steering, Nov 20, 2019
2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED TWO FORD DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING. TOOK THE CAR TO A NON DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A B#14V-284 ISSUED. TO FIX THE PROBLEM I NEED TO HAVE A DEALER RESET THE CODE.
Steering, Nov 20, 2019
I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE AND DROVE ABOUT A HALF A MILE THROUGH CITY STREETS. AS I TURNED LEFT AND INCREASED SPEED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET ME OUT OF THE TURN. WITH CARS COMING BEHIND ME, I BRAKED AND LET THE CAR CONTINUE IN ITS TRAJECTORY TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE ON RAMP. I PUT ON MY HAZARDS, CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE STEERING RETURNED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY GOT THE COURAGE TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME AGAIN. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2010, AND THIS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE AROUND 2012-2013. I HAD THE RECALL DONE, HOWEVER, AND I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. APPARENTLY NOT. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AND I CRINGE TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED IF I'D HAVE MADE IT ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND COULDN'T STEER OUT OF A CURVE GOING 60 MPH IN TRAFFIC.
Steering, Nov 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SILL-TERHAR MOTORS (150 ALTER ST, BROOMFIELD, CO 80020, (303) 469-1801) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS24901413. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,128.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2019
FUEL LEAK
Steering, Nov 14, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE ESCAPE THE STEERING LOCKED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WENT IN THE OTHER LANE. FORD SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT HAS EXPIRED.
Steering, Nov 14, 2019
WHEN DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING A TURN (AT SLOW SPEEDS), OCCASIONALLY AND RANDOMLY THE STEERING SEEMS TO GET SUPER STIFF LIKE IT LOSES POWER AND THE COMPUTER GIVES A BRIEF TONE AND A SHORT MESSAGE POPS UP BUT DOESN'T STAY UP LONG ENOUGH TO READ OTHER THAN I THINK "POWER" SOMETHING. AFTER A BRIEF SECOND THE STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL AGAIN. IT IS DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING DURING A TURN. WHEN I CALL, FORD KNOWS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY BUT WHEN TALKING TO THEM, THEY SEEM TO FEEL THAT THEIR OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN MET EVEN THOUGH THIS IS STILL OCCURRING AFTER THE SUPPOSED FIX. FORD JUST KEEPS SAYING BASICALLY THAT THEY FIXED IT AND IT IS DONE. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. TODAY WAS THE MOST RECENT.