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, Aug 24, 2018
WHEN DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE AS I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRUCK, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON RESEARCH OF MY VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS AND FORD IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE USED TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY.
Steering, Aug 23, 2018
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLES POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WENT TO MANUAL CONTROL AND I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY ON MODELS OUT OF KANSAS CITY PLANT. APARENTLY THIS ISN'T THE CASE, AFTER RESEARCH THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND TOLD THE SAME THING BY FORD THAT IT'S NOT COVERED UNLESS IT CAME FROM KANSAS CITY PLANT. THIS REPAIR COST ME 2,228 DOLLARS AND ONLY 249 DOLLARS WAS LABOR. THE ONE PART FROM THE FORD DEALER WAS 1564 WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED SINCE FORD KNOWS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE IT CAUSED IT TO HAVE AN ISSUE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 17, 2018
MY CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2018. AFTER THE CAR STALLS, I AM ABLE TO RESTART IT AND IT RUNS AGAIN. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.
Steering, Aug 17, 2018
A LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY FORD (11301 GATEWAY BLVD W, EL PASO, TX 79936, (915) 591-8600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL HOSE FOR THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Aug 7, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY POWER STEERING GO OUT RECENTLY. IT STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2018. WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD NO POWER STEERING, AND I HAVE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND MOST OF MY DAILY COMMUTE IS ON THE HIGHWAY.
Steering, Aug 7, 2018
THE POWER STEERING IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL BUT NOT MY VEHICLES VIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE KIDS AND CANT DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH STEERING ISSUES AND DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ONLY CERTAIN VINS WERE GIVEN THE RECALL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT WHERE AFTER RESEARCHING IS WHERE THE RECALLS WERE FROM
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2018
THE ESCAPE HAS BEEN TOWED IN 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THE FORD HOUSE HAS KEPT IT 2 WEEKS, 3 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY RANDOMLY JUST WON'T START. THEY REPLACED STARTER, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX IT. I TOOK TO A MASTER MECHANIC AND HE CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Aug 5, 2018
TRACKING #11113388 FILED 7/24/18 UPDATE. LOST USE OF POWER STEERING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. CAR INITIALLY TAKEN TO FIRESTONE WHO CONTACTED FORD WITH DIAGNOSTIC AND TOLD TO REPLACE SENSOR- THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. FIRESTONE REFERRED US BACK TO FORD REPAIR DUE TO THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE AND RECALL ON SENSOR/SOFTWARE. CAR TAKEN TO FORD; AFTER DIAGNOSTIC- STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACING AT A COST TO THE OWNER OF $1600; WORK COMPLETED.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 5, 2018
ENGINE TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IN VARYING CONDITIONS; IE. DRIVING SLOW, DRIVING FAST, ON THE HIGHWAY ON SIDE STREETS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH, WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 40MPH. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN A WEEK. THE TROUBLE CODE SHOWS P2112. DEALER SAYS THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS ETB MUST BE REPLACED. I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
Steering, Jul 24, 2018
ERROR MESSAGE: 'POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT' TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AT 35MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL VALVE REMAINED OPENED AND EVAPORATED. THE DEALER (COMMERCIAL MOTOR COMPANY, 160 S COMMERCIAL ST, ARANSAS PASS, TX 78336) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL ODOR WOULD NOT AFFECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,897.
Engine, Jul 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED AT LOW SPEEDS, IT LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. BILL CURRIE FORD (5815 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL) WAS CALLED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NO INVOLVEMENT IN RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Steering, Jul 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE EPS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER (JAMES FORD OF WILLIAMSON LLC, 3923 NY-104, WILLIAMSON, NY 14589, (315) 589-2299) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, STALLED, AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED TURNPIKE FORD OF CHARLESTON/MARMET AT 304-925-0431 (LOCATED AT 7891 MACCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25315) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WAS SERVICED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.
Suspension, Service brakes, Jul 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS BLED THE BRAKE LINES AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). TUSCALOOSA FORD (5801 MCFARLAND BLVD E, TUSCALOOSA, AL 35405, (205) 304-0719) STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Jun 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (BILL KAY FORD, 2556 S CICERO AVE, MIDLOTHIAN, IL) WAS CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIR EXPENSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Steering, Jun 27, 2018
STEERING LOOSES ASSIST. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED PARKED. COULD NOT MOVE VEHICLE OUT OF SPOT BECAUSE COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE.
Steering, Jun 26, 2018
MY STEERING WENT FROM EASY TO TURN TO VERY HARD TO TURN. I WAS PULLING ONTO HIGHWAY AND IT WENT TO SO HARD TO TURN I COULD NOT TURN BACK INTO THE LANE I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PULLING INTO. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME EITHER!! I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVER BUT FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. I KNOW I AM ONLY ONE LIFE BUT I AM A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A FRIEND AND I THINK THAT MAKES MY LIFE PRETTY IMPORTANT! THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP!
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH FOR QUITE AWHILE AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE IN MY MODEL AND YEAR. ONE PERSON MENTIONED THAT 2009 MODELS DO HAVE A RECALL BUT I CANNOT FIND THE NUMBER ANYWHERE. I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF YOU KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THIS MODEL WHY WON'T YOU RECALL THIS. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY SPENT OVER $350.00 REPLACING THE STARTER ON MY CAR BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD IT WAS AND TURNS OUT NOT. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT ON THIS?
Steering, Jun 25, 2018
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Jun 25, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Jun 20, 2018, crash
'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT JUNE 8TH 2018 WHERE MY SUV WAS TOTALED OUT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY SO I'M TRYING TO SEE WHAT HELP CAN I GET. I WAS MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE SUV. I HIT MY HEAD BAD NOW I SUFFER HEAD ISSUES THAT I'M GETTING TREATED FOR ALSO I HAD A PASSENGER WHO WAS HURT.