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.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2018
1. REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE CORRODED AND SNAPPED OFF, LEAVING GLASS DANGEROUSLY HANGING ON ONE HINGE. 2. TRUNK INOPERABLE DUE TO TRUNK OPERATING VIA ELECTRIC PATCH AND NO LONGER RECEIVING ELECTRIC SIGNAL. 3. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTING.
Steering, Jun 4, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED.
Steering, May 30, 2018
THE 14S05=RECALL NUMBER. I ONLY FOUND IT THROUGH CREDIT KARMA. IT CONCERNS THE EPS COMPONENT FAILING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD TO STEER! I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE I DRIVE TO WORK, AND I SWING SHIFT, DAY, EVENING, AND MIDNIGHT ON DANGEROUS ROADS!
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2018
DURING A COLD SNAP IN JANUARY, I CLICKED MY BACK WINDSHIELD LIFTGATE TO RETRIEVE GROCERY BAGS, AND THE HINGE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SNAPPED IN HALF AND SENT THE WINDSHIELD FLYING ON IT'S HYDRAULIC INTO MY LEFT SHOULDER. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF TRADER JOE'S IN KALAMAZOO, I WAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR, OPENING THE LIFTGATE WITH MY KEY FOB. I WAS IMPACTED IN MY SHOULDER, SUSTAINED AN INJURY I AM STILL DEALING WITH, IF MY CHILD HAD BEEN ON MY LEFT, INSTEAD OF MY RIGHT, IT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED HIS HEAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE I HAD IT FIXED OTTO KIHM'S, SAID THAT THEY SEE THIS ISSUE ALL THE TIME WITH THE ESCAPE.
Steering, May 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE POWER ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SAN TAN FORD, 1429 E MOTORPLEX LOOP, GILBERT, AZ 85297) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO ASSIST AND IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET COST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Steering, May 21, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THIS MODEL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES FROM THE PLANT IN KC BUT NO OTHER PLANTS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WENT OUT. MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN FERGUSON MO FOR OVER TWO HOURS.
Steering, Other or unspecified, May 17, 2018
TAMARA RECALL - BAILEY CAN MOVE MY WHEEL AND IT'S ELECTRIC ONLY HAD IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND BARELY DRIVE IT BUT MAKES PAGES ON IT AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CAR
Steering, May 16, 2018
LOSS OF POWER STERRING. STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT HARD TO TURN.
Steering, May 15, 2018
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT , AND ONE YEAR A GO I HAD 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT AND I HAD THE SAME ISSUES , BUT ON THE 2008 HAS RECALL BUT THE 2009 THERES NO RECALL ,
Wheels, Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2018
LEE AUTO SALES LIED TO ME. THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I FOUND A BUNCH OF DEFECTS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2018
THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IDLING, EVEN IF ONLY FOR SECONDS AND SURGES FORWARD RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROADWAY. IT HAS STALLED ON ME UP TO 8-10 TIMES IN ONE TRIP FROM SCOTTSDALE TO PHOENIX. IT WILL STALL ROLLING TO A STOP AS WELL AND HAS STALLED ON BUSY ROADWAYS AND IN INTERSECTIONS, PUTTING ME IN GREAT DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED T HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND SO FAR NO MECHANIC OR EVEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP CAN PIN POINT THE CAUSE. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES AND OTHERS HAVE REPRTED THAT THE CAR STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND I AM NOW AFRAID IT WILL ESCALATE.
Steering, May 4, 2018
RECALL 14S05 TORQUE SENSOR INSTALLATION
Steering, May 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER ASSIST INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED, MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CREST FORD INC., 22675 GIBRALTAR RD, FLAT ROCK, MI 48134) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) A YEAR AND HALF AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE SOFTWARE WERE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN HAD NO RECALLS AND PROVIDED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, May 3, 2018
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XL BECAME VIRTUALY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN A CORNER OR TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL TO PARK MY CAR ON MAY 2,2018. I ALMOST THREWH MY BACK OUT JUST TRYING TO GET HOME AFTER A 15 MINUTE DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE STEERING MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS INCLUDED THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. THIS MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THE 2008-2011 RECALL INVOLVING THE FORD ESCAPE MANUFACTURED IN KANSAS USA. MY ESCAPE WAS MANUFACTURED THERE BUT I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED FOR THE STEERING ISSUE WERE FROM A DIFFERENT PANT NUMBER. MY MECHANIC DISAGREES AND FEELS MY FORD ESCAPE HAS THE SAME EXACT FAULTY ISSUE AND IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE.
Steering, Apr 27, 2018
STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT HARD TO TURN
Steering, Apr 24, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. DAYS LEADING UP TO THIS WARNING I ONLY HEARD THE COMPUTER BELL DING AND THEN NOTHING NO DISPLAY. ON THE DAY DRIVING TO WORK ON HWY. THE COMPUTER DISPLAY CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HAD TO MAUNALLY TURN VERY HARD .COULD NOT MAKE ANY QUICK TURNS.IF I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
Steering, Apr 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE WRENCH SYMBOL WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
Steering, Apr 18, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING.
Steering, Apr 13, 2018
POWER STEERING GAVE UP.
Steering, Apr 13, 2018
ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED INSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HUGE INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT,SO MUCH SO THAT A SMALL PERSON CANNOT CONTROL THE CAR.A HUGE SAFETY RISK. THE CAR WAS MOVING ALONG THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.
Steering, Apr 11, 2018
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE STOPPED WORKING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IT. THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON ON THE WAY TO WORK AND THEN THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE WORK AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2009 FORD ESCAPES AND NEEDS TO BE ADDED.
Steering, Apr 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Steering, Apr 7, 2018
LOST STEERING. UNABLE TO STEER.
Steering, Apr 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. MAC HAIK FORD (10333 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77024) DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Wheels, Service brakes, Apr 4, 2018, crash
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK AS IF I'M OUT OF POWER STEERING FLUID, WHICH IT'S NOT. ALSO, THE WHEELS ARE SHAKY AND FEEL LIKE THEIR ABOUT TO COME OFF. SOMEONE HIT MY VEHICLE AND IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT. NOW I'M PAYING FOR A RENTAL UNTIL GETS FIXED AND I'M PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS INSTEAD OF THE COMPANY.