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.
Service brakes, Jun 9, 2025
Brakes and power steering failed within 1 day. I’ve had brake system checked by 2 mechanics. I still have spongey brakes. Both systems seem to be a problem on these particular vehicles according to the two mechanics. Seems I’m not the only one with this problem. My vehicle came out of the Kansas City Assembly Plant. It’s a 2009 Ford Escape. I understand that some models out of that facility had recalls.
Steering, Jun 7, 2025
Unknown. Cranked vehicle and had no power steering.05/27/25
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was caused by the EGR valve. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 129,082.
Steering, Electrical system, May 9, 2025
The ford escape is experiencing the exact power steering assist fault, same year model in Safety Recall 14S05, but it’s not showing up for the recall.
Service brakes, Apr 12, 2025
I have had every part of my brake system replaced multi times and the brake pedal gos to the floor, no one can fix it. When trying to search online, it looks like this is a known issue. Multiple multiple forms with multiple websites people having the same issue. With this Specific vehicle but no one can find a answers.
Steering, Mar 17, 2025
Power steering torque sensor has gone out. Dealership has diagnosed the issue.
Steering, Feb 21, 2025
Vehicle was involved in recall 14S05 for electric power steering failure. Recall was completed in 2016 with no parts replaced because parts had not failed yet - only a reprogram of PSCM was done. Parts have now failed, and power steering has failed. I contacted my Ford dealer, who said they will not help, yet admitted that at the time the recall was completed parts had not failed but have now. I called Ford customer service and was told they will do nothing. I pushed back given the obvious safety concerns, but they were unmoved. They would not allow me to escalate. I'm firm in my belief that Ford should fix the issue here. Not sure where else to go, but starting with the NHTSA.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 30, 2025
As many other Ford escapes have been recalled due to power steering issues. Mine has been going out while driving and causing a very dangerous safety issue. Ive contacted my local ford dealership and noticed my 2009 ford escape is not on the recall list. Im requesting a change to this as my vehicle is a real safety issue for not just myself but for others. No warning lights appear whenever it goes out either.
Steering, Jan 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn to the right or the left. The contact stated that the power steering assist was inoperable. The contact called the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer, who confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Structure, Dec 25, 2024
Steering torque sensor failed Can not be driven . Subframe rusted out. Unsafe to drive.
Steering, Dec 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available
Steering, Dec 14, 2024
The power steering has gone out we see recalls for this make, year and model. But when we called the dealer they informed us our VIN is not included in this recall problem. But it is in the year 2009 clearly included in the recall for power steering. Why can our Escape not be included in this recall?
Steering, Dec 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Steering, Dec 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon his wife starting the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. The contact was called to the scene of the failure and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no mechanical failure with the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective steering column. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Steering, Nov 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 223,000.
Steering, Nov 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel was seized, and the "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed. The check engine and air bag warning lights were also illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of DTC code: B-1936 and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.
Structure, Nov 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, who determined that the passenger-side front subframe was rotten. The front and rear underbody were rotten. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
Steering, Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his son was operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45-55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled down to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal harder, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact drove to the residence, where the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Steering, Oct 14, 2024
Yesterday, [XXX], the power steering first temporarily went out on a curve and came back on and I was able to continue driving with power steering. After I stopped the vehicle for roughly 1.5 hours (planned stop), it no longer worked. I was a short distance from home and returned home and parked the vehicle. I was not going a high rate of speed when the temporary loss occurred; however, there is a great accident risk for this issue, especially in a heavy traffic and/or higher speed area. I started it twice today to see if it worked and it is not working. The system message says “power steering assist fault” on the dash. This was displaying yesterday and is also today. My vehicle was manufactured in Kansas City, MO and I am requesting the VIN be reviewed and included as part of the recall, 14S05A. Please assist as soon as possible so this can be resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Oct 2, 2024
no powersteering went out while driving they reprogramed steering module nowit went out totally its bs on fords part
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2024
Brake pedal very light, goes clear to floor then within last inch brakes activate. I replaced master brake cylinder in hopes that would fix, it did not. I scheduled an appointment with dealership to diagnose in which they were not able to and had me return it to the original mechanic after flushing fluid out checking for corrosion, they replaced the master cylinder again. That did not fix the brake issue. I’m returning it to Ford dealership to once more diagnose and potentially replace the ABS module. This model is known for having a test one placed on in which needed replaced. It’s the exact same part number as the ABS module recalled and replaced on a few other models. The recall number for other models is 19V904000, no corrosion in reservoir upon flush and dot 3 was placed back inside. The part number at hand for the multiple vehicles is 12-17242
Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2024
I was driving down the road then all the sudden halfway through making a turn the power steering went completely out almost causing me to wreck. I looked up the issue and it is on the recall list but for some reason this individual vehicle doesn't have the recall. It falls into all there peramiters for being recalled. The Ford dealership gave me the same runaround. So now it is sitting with the power steering still not working. There were absolutely no warnings that this was going to happen. Not a light or anything.
Steering, Aug 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.