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, Dec 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Dec 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 02/15/17*LJ *CN
Steering, Dec 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Dec 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Steering, Dec 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES DON'T TURN ON AT ALL IS KEEP HAPPENING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, VERY HARD TO TURN, ALL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR DON'T COME ON, GEARS LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHT SOMETIME FLICKERS. I HAVE HAD MY BACK LIGHTS. AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 15, 2016
BRAKES BEGAN GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE. HAD THE MAIN MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $307.63, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? MANY OTHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Dec 13, 2016
2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS A SENSOR FAILURE AND TURNED OFF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION ON A STREET. THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AT A TIME WHEN I DID NOT EXPECT THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FAILURE A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. WHY IS FORD HAVE SOFTWARE ISSUES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO TURN OFF CRITICAL SYSTEMS (SAFETY) SUCH AS STEERING BECAUSE OF ANY SENSOR FAILURE. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD FAIL SAFE AND NEVER BE TURNING OFF SYSTEMS SUCH AS STEERING OR BRAKING!!!! THEY SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO MONITOR OR ASSIST AREAS SUCH AS STEERING OR BRAKING BUT ANY FAILURE SHOULD NEVER TURN OFF THOSE SYSTEMS; IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING!!! *TR
Steering, Dec 5, 2016
THE VEHICLE IS LOSING POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WHILE IN THE MIDST OF LEFT HAND TURNS. THE CAR SUDDENLY BEEPS, NO WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, AND FOR 1-2 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO A FAILING TORQUE SENSOR, AS THE DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT IT IS SHOWING CODE B2278. THE FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES, PART OF RECALL 14S05. BUT, RATHER THAN FIX THE PROBLEM (FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THEY FREELY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL TORQUE SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE NEW PARTS ARE OF AN IMPROVED, MORE DURABLE, AND SAFER DESIGN), FORD IS ONLY ISSUING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. APPARENTLY I HAD THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE COMPLETED IN 2014, AND YET HERE I AM WITH THE SAME MECHANICAL SAFETY ISSUE TWO YEARS LATER. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, AS FAR AS MY RESEARCH REVEALS, DOES NOTHING TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, IT JUST MAKES THE CAR BEEP WHEN IT LOSES POWER STEERING. THERE ARE APPARENTLY 740,878 VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, WHICH MEANS NEARLY A MILLION UNSAFE FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS ARE DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING CONTROLS THAT COULD FAIL AT ANY POINT MID-TURN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM (WITH PART REPLACEMENT) BEFORE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
Steering, Dec 2, 2016
MY ELECTRONIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN6/16, IOT WOULD RESET ITSELF SOME AT FIRST BUT BY 7/16 IT TOTALLY QUIT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT, TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT, THEIR COMPUTER WOULDN'T TALK TO MINE. I THEN TOOK IS TO W W FORD DEALER IN SEARCY, AR WHERE THEY ADVISED IT WAS A RECALL COMPUTER UPDATE THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PERFORMED LAST YEAR WHEN THE FUEL SYSTEM QUIT & HAD TO BE UPDATED. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT, REFUSED TO HOOK IT UP TO THEIR DIAGNOSTICS COMPUTER AND I'VE BEEN STUCK "STRONG ARM STEERING SINCE.
Steering, Dec 1, 2016
2008-2011 FORD ESCAPE POWER STEERING RECALL 14S05 I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONCERNING A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH WINNER FORD OF CHERRY HILL, NJ FOR THIS SERVICE, SINCE IT WAS THE CLOSEST DEALER AT THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO RETURN VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE CITING THAT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AS OF NOVEMBER 28TH 2016, MY STEERING SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO EXHIBIT PROBLEMS FROM THIS RECALL, THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BOTH IDLE AND DRIVING SHAKES AND VIBRATES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND MAKES PARKING DIFFICULT. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS, HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE RECALL WORK OF UPDATING SOFTWARE WAS PERFORMED, THAT THEY CONSIDERED THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE RESOLVED AND NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE WOULD BE PERFORMED UNDER THE 14S05 RECALL, HOWEVER AT MY OWN COSTS COULD HAVE THE VEHICLE RE-EVALUATED AT A DEALERSHIP AND AT MY OWN COST HAVE THE PROPER SERVICE PERFORMED TO REMEDY ANY ISSUED THEY MAY FIND. WHEEL SHAKING AND TURNING SLIGHTLY ON ITS OWN OCCURS WHILE BOTH STATIONARY AND DRIVING ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, ISSUE STOPS WHILE TURNING BUT RETURNS WHILE WHEEL IS NOT BEING MOVED. *TR
Steering, Nov 30, 2016
MY TORQUE SENSOR IS GOING OUT AND HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES FORD HAS DENIED THERE IS A RECALL AND CLAIMS IT HAS GOTTEN FIXED IN 2014 BUT IF IT WAS FIXED WHY WOULD I BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM NOW? I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE STEERING RECALL. *TR
Steering, Nov 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) ONE YEAR EARLIER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 22, 2016
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO INFORM YOU ON THE SAFETY CONDITION OF THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE NUMBER 1 PROBLEM IS HARD TO STEER THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. NUMBER 2 PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN TURNING CORNERS WHILE DRIVING. THE DATE IT HAPPEN WAS FRIDAY NOV. 18, 2016.
Steering, Nov 18, 2016
STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THE CAR BECOME HARD TO STEER, OR TO TURN THE WHEEL
Steering, Nov 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL, SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY DECELERATED TO BELOW 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Steering, Nov 14, 2016
MY WIFE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING QUIT WORKING, AND SHE HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO THE CURB. WE WONDER WHY OUR VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS FORD ESCAPE PROBLEM?
Power train, Nov 12, 2016
WHILE DRIVING OUR VECHILE THE WRENCH LIGHTS COMES ON , THEN WE FILL A JERK TURN THE CAR OFF AN ON. THEN IT IS OKAY FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON AS WELL. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UNFAIR THAT IT IS ONLY COVERED AFTER SO MANY MILES. WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A BIG PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING. WE BROUGHT OUR CAR USED WITH 51,000 MILSES. WE TRIED TO GET IT IN THE DEARLSHIP EVERYTIME THE LIGHT CAME ON. BUT NOTHING. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO NOW. THE LIGHTS COMES ON WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
MY 88 YEAR OLD MOTHER DRIVES THIS STEERING WENT OUT AS SHE WAS DRIVING IT DOES THIS WHEN IT WANTS TO. FORD CHARGED US $123 TO TELL US ITS THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR AND WANTS $1,500 TO FIX SHE DOESN'T HAVE. SEEMS THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FORD DOESN'T WANT TO FIX. 40,000 MILE VECH THAT HAD EVER SERVICE DONE AT FORD AND ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE NOW.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2016
PURCHASED USED 2009 ESCAPE IN APRIL 2016. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND GAS LEAKS OVER TIRE WELL WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED ALL THE WAY. TOOK IT IN AND UPON SMOKE TEST DEALERSHIP STATED THE TOP OF THE TANK IS RUSTED WITH PINHOLES. TRYING TO CHARGE ME $1600 TO REPAIR WITH THE FILLER PIECE. NOT DISCLAIMED UPON PURCHASE. CAR WAS INSPECTED PRIOR TO PURCHASE.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.
Steering, Oct 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Oct 27, 2016
MY POWER STEERING QUIT DUE TO A SENSOR ERROR.. AFTER I DROVE TO SHOPPING CENTER AND PARKED I GOT A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ERROR, I TRIED STARTING IT UP AGAIN I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE TRIED SHUTTING DOWN AND STARTING CAR BACK UP AND STILL NOW POWER STEERING.. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND SEEN THERE ARE RECALLS FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW THERE IS ONE. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS OF NOW I AM NOT DRIVING MY CAR. *TR
Steering, Oct 20, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND A WARNING CAME ACROSS MY DASHBOARD THAT SAID.. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT MY CAR OFF TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON, MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I HAD MY VEHICLE IN THE DEALERSHIP IN 2014 FOR A WARRANTY ON MY SWAY BAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAW THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE SO THEY PLUGGED MY CAR INTO THE COMPUTER AND HAD NO CODES OR ANYTHING SO THEY REPROGRAMMED IT. NOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AND CODE B2278 IS COMING UP AND NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT I DIDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT BACK IN 2014 SO THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND NOW THAT I AM HAVING THE ISSUE, THEY CAN NOT FIX IT OR TAKE CARE OF IT. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS CLOSED DUE TO ME NOT HAVING AN ISSUE WITH IT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MILES WITH NO POWER STEERING WHAT SO EVER. *TR