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, Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING ALSO MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD STARTED FROM A PARKED POSITION. SIMMONS-ROCKWELL FORD (1160 CO RD 66, HORNELL, NY 14843, (607) 324-4444) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON AUGUST 1, 2019. THE FAILURES OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. *BF*JB *DL CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES SERVICE (LYONS, NY). THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WERE REPLACED. *DL
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 11, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN JULY OF 2017, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND LOST SPEED. WE WERE BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND CUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN WE STARTED UP THE CAR AGAIN, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. HOWEVER, THIS HAPPENED 2 OR 3 TIMES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, AND THEY OPENED CASE #CAS-12676591. I FOUND A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM DATED 09/03/2010, RECALL #10E043000 AND ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE #14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 DATED JULY 2014. HOWEVER, FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM TELLING ME IT WAS A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL REGARDLESS OF THE MANUFACTURER. IT COST US $1,868.04 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN JULY OF 2019, AND COST US ANOTHER $776.60 TO REPAIR. I WOULD HAVE FILED THIS COMPLAINT SOONER BUT JUST FOUND OUT HOW TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA.
Service brakes, Nov 6, 2019
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BARELY STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS, COUNTRY ROADS AND HIGHWAY. AT FIRST IT DID NOT DO IT VERY OFTEN, BUT IT IS NOW DOING IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT THERE. IT USED TO GET BETTER BY PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT THIS IS NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME ANYMORE.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2019
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT RECALL
Steering, Nov 3, 2019
MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT.WHICH MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STEER AND CAN BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
Steering, Nov 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V028400 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MOSES FORD LINCOLN (2001 MACCORKLE AVE, SAINT ALBANS, WV 25177, (304) 945-0127) FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY PERFORMED THE FIRST PART OF A THREE PART RECALL REPAIR UPDATING THE SOFTWARE. THE MANUFACTURER CLOSED OUT THE RECALL, ASSUMING THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE. THE CONTACT MOVED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PADUCAH FORD (3476 PARK AVE, PADUCAH, KY 42001, (270) 444-0011) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN CANCELED OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR AT NO COST. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE FIRST PART THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF OVER $2,100. THE VEHICLE REMAINED UNREPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK TO SEE IF AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *PM *TP
Steering, Oct 30, 2019
THIS CAR STILL HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY A SUBJECT OF A RECALL. FOR SOME REASON YOUR WEB SITE NO LONGER SHOWS THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION AS BEING A RECALL ON YOUR WEB SITE BUT THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED WHEN BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. PREVIOUS RECALL NUMBER WAS 14S05 PLEASE HELP THIS IS DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Steering, Oct 28, 2019
POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE RESULTING IN POWER STEERING ASSIST LOSS DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, THEN A MESSAGE CAME ACROSS THE DASHBOARD STATING THAT THERE WAS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" BEFORE ALL POWER STEERING FAILED AND MANUAL DRIVE COMMENCED. A MECHANIC LATTER CONFIRMED IT WAS THE SENSOR BY GATHERING THE ERROR CODE B2278 WHICH IS A STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION.
Steering, Oct 28, 2019
MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IS NO LONGER WORKING. MECHANICS WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL AND FORD WON'T FIX IT SAYING IT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE POWER STEERING CLICKS ON AND OFF MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. DURING RESEARCH IT SAYS UNLESS THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AT THE TIME THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN, THEY WOULD ONLY DO A SOFTWARE UPDATE, WHICH IS WHAT THEY MUST'VE DONE, AS NOW THE PART IS HAVING ISSUES AND I HAVE PROOF FROM MY MECHANIC TO VERIFY. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THIS PART TAKEN CARE OF?
Steering, Oct 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ACCELERATING AT 25 MPH, EXTRA FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE FORD LINCOLN SALES (885 HAGERTY DR, FREMONT, OH 43420, (800) 354-2220) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Service brakes, Oct 25, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE AND WHEN I PRESSED MY BREAKS THERE WAS A BANG SOUND AND THE BREAK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LOST ALL BREAK PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STEERING RACK; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT.*JS
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED IT WAS HARD TO START IT WOULD TAKE ME A FEW TRYS, THEN IT WOULD START. I CALLED WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE SAID THAT IT IS JUST HARD TO START MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. AFTER TIME IT WILL NOT START AT ALL UNLESS I USE MY AUTOMATIC STARTER. TO FIX ON MY OWN WILL COST FOR PART $150 WHICH NOTHING IS COVERED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Oct 17, 2019
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. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, POWER STEERING CUTS OUT, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE MATCHES ALL THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING THE PLANT OF MAUNUFACTURER. SAME EXACT PROBLEM. FALLS IN THE CATEGORY, BUT THEY WONT COVER IT. WHAT DO I DO NOW!!!
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE, BATTERY LIGHT ON. NEW BATTERY AND NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER STEERING.
Steering, Oct 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WATERMARK FORD OF MADISONVILLE (1801 LANTAFF BLVD, MADISONVILLE, KY 42431, (270) 821-4100) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS:24520165. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,130.
Steering, Oct 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. APPLE FORD (8800 STANFORD BLVD, COLOMBIA, MD) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 7, 2019
HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER/THROTTLE RESPONSE. PULL OFF ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, RESTART AND COMPUTER SEEMS TO RESET. HAD BEEN 1-2 TIMES PER YEAR OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND STRUGGLED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. HAPPENED 8 TIMES IN 150 MILE TRIP TODAY.
Steering, Oct 4, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND EVEN HARDER TO TURN.
Steering, Oct 3, 2019
WHEN I START THE CAR, MOST OF THE TIME THE ELECTRIC STEERING POWER ASSIST DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN OFF ENGINE AND WAIT ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTART ENGINE AND IT WILL WORK, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. MY WIFE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2019
WHEN I WAS HEADED TO DROP MY DAUGHTER OFF I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET THAT HAS SPEED BUMPS WHICH I USUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. UNTIL THIS MORNING (08/08/2019) WHEN MY POWER STEERING KICKED OFF AND I HAD TO PHYSICALLY TURN MY WHEEL. I SAW THE THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR 2009 FORD ESCAPES AND I WAS WONDERING IF MINE WAS ONE OF THEM.
Steering, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH ON GRAVEL ROAD. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE INDICATOR WAS STILL ON, POWER WAS LOST IN THE STEERING. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER FORD LINCOLN DRAPER (11442 LONE PEAK PKWY, DRAPER, UT 84020, (801) 590-0561) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V280000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,905. RECALL # XXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2019
BOUGHT MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4WD IN 2016.HAD NO PROBLEMS UP UNTIL AROUND MARCH, 2017 WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE.TURNED THE KEY TO START AND IT WOULDN'T. THINKING MAYBE THERE WAS A LITTLE MOISTURE ON IGNITION KEY SEEING HOW IT HAD RAINED EARLER AND KEYS WERE EXPOSED BUT NOPE.PULLED KEY OUT AND FLIPPED IT OVER THEN RETRIED. IT DID START AND DIDN'T THINK ANYMORE ABOUT IT. DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN TILL ABOUT 4 MOS LATER AND HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. NOW HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS...UP TO 5-6 TIMES OTHER DAY BEFORE IT STARTED. JUST BY CHANCE I HAD PUSHED THE IGNITION KEY FURTHER IN THE START POSITION AND FELT KEY SLIP INTO IGNITION A "HAIR" MORE. IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY. THOUGHT THAT MAYBE ORIGINAL KEY WAS GETTING WORN AND THAT WAS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT AFTER READING MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT EXACT SAME ISSUE IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS. I HAVE TO TRAVEL ALONE WHEN OUT OF STATE FOR DR VISITS OR FAMILY MATTERS. WOULD SAY THIS CAN BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY FOR A FAMILY.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Sep 28, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK IN A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO MOVE BUT NOT THE POWER CAR CAME TO A STOP SHUT OFF CAR AND IT STARTED BUT WAS RIDING ROUGH. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON MY WAY HOME . WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. MY BROTHER WHO HAS BEEN A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR THIRTY YEAS DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND IT SAID THROTTLE BODY VALVE STUCK OPEN.I DID NOT GET HURT BUT IF I HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY OR IN FASTER TRAFFIC I COULD HAVE. I THINK OTHERS SHOULD BE WARNED. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM MONACO FORD IN GLASTONBURY WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE AND MY ADDRESS IS THE SAME AS WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW. MY BROTHER IS REPLACING THE PART FOR ME . *TR
Steering, Sep 24, 2019
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON FORD ESCAPES OR ANY OTHER FORD. IT APPEARS THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2008 -2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WIDESPREAD. THE FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM AND NOT A FORD RECALL PROBLEM. MAYBE THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THE ALL THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINTS.