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.
Engine, Jul 27, 2016
STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION WITH AN INTERSTATE OFF RAMP ON JULY 26, 2016. NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED/SHUTOFF ON ITS OWN. PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT RESTARTED AS NORMAL AND CONTINUED ON WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHT OR CLUE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET RE THROTTLE BODY OR CAM OR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS.
Steering, Jul 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 25, 2016
PLEASE SEE THIS CLIP ON YOUTUBE THAT EXPLAINS OUR ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UCUSQJ3-EVK MY VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING WILL LOSE POWER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS. SAME THING, MECHANIC HAS NO CLUE. WHY CAN'T FORD FIGURE THIS OUT. IT'S DANGEROUS. MY WIFE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN TRAFFIC. WHAT CAN BE DONE? THANK YOU! *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2016
THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I WAS TURNING INTO A SHOPPING MALL AND THERE WAS SUDDENLY NO WAY I COULD STEER THIS CAR. IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRY DRIVING THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT TURN IT WITHOUT BRUTE FORCE AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS A TORQUE SENSOR WHICH WHEN IT GOES OUT, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1500. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE TOO MANY OWNERS END UP IN CRASHES.
Suspension, Jul 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS MAY HAVE PREMATURELY FRACTURED AND MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Jul 19, 2016
WHILE MOVING LOSE BRAKES, BRAKES GO TO FLOOR. CHANGED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT IS STILL DOING IT.
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2016
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE, STALLS WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE ENGINE RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING ON STATE HWY AND COUNTY ROADS. EACH TIME YOU COULD GAIN CONTROL, BY SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. SINCE THIS IS THE FAMILY CAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF STALLS ON BUSY CITY STREET OR MAJOR FREEWAY.
Engine, Jul 15, 2016
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EITHER WHILE STOPPED OR DURING ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP THE ENGINE STALLS. SOMETIMES ON CITY STREETS AND TWICE ON A FREEWAY ONRAMP WAITING FOR THE METERING LIGHT. THE DEALER HAS SAID ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THEY CAN'T "REPRODUCE" THE PROBLEM SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HINGES OF THE REAR WINDOW DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE GLASS TO BECOME UNSTABLE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2016
WRENCH LIGHT KEEP COMING ON IN MOTION
Structure, Jul 1, 2016
2009 FORD ESCAPE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES HAVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE RIGHT HINGE HAS BROKEN OFF AND CRUMBLED AT THE CENTER OF THE HINGE. THIS OCCURRED AT 150,000 MILES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF AFTER LEAVING A SHOPPING PLAZA. THE WINDOW THEN IS ONLY SUPPORTED BY ONE HINGE, AND THE LIFT SUPPORT BARS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2016
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OUT OF THE BLUE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES SAME DAY, SOMETIMES A COUPLE DAYS LATER. UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON THE CODE CANNOT BE OBTAINED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 28, 2016
MY FORD ESCAPE HAS INTERMITTENT STALLING OR SEEMS LIKE LOSS OF POWER, CAR WILL STAY ON BUT SEEM LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. IF TRYING TO GIVE IT GAS IT DOES NOT RESPOND. ONCE TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN IT WORKS LIKE NORMAL UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT CAN HAPPEN AT TAKE OFF OR WHILE ON THE FREEWAY GOING WITH THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC ALL OF A SUDDEN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING BUT AS TIME HAS PASSED IT HAS BECOME MORE REGULAR AND NOW I AM HAVING TO GET IT REPAIRED.
Engine, Jun 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, MY 09 FORD ESCAPE COMPLETELY SLOWED DOWN ON ME. I PUSHED ON THE GAS TO MAKE THE CAR SPEED BACK UP BUT WAS UNABLE TO. I WENT FROM 60 TO 30 MPH IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. I WAS LUCKILY COMING UP TO A SPEED ZONE OF 45 MPH, BUT I COASTED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND MY RPM CONTINUED GOING UP AND DOWN. I EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE. I THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE UNDER 45 MPH THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. IT WAS VERY SCARY AS I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
Power train, Jun 27, 2016
WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND VEHICLE WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED ABOVE 20 MPH. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WAS VERY CONCERNING. I DROVE HOME IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, WITH HAZARDS ON, ALONG BACK ROADS TO AVOID INTERSTATE SPEEDS. CAR ACTUALLY DROPPED TO LESS THAN 10 MPH WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. TOOK IT TO MY DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD. THEY SAID THAT FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS, ESTIMATED AT $400.
Steering, Jun 20, 2016
THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. IT DID NOT WORK FOR OVER 2 HOURS. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE CAR FOR 5 MIN., THE POWER STEERING BEGAN WORKING AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2016
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, SLOWING DOWN WHEN CAR LOST POWER. WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. PRESSING ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP WITH CAR STILL RUNNING, ALBEIT HESITATING AND "IDLING ROUGH". TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. CAR STARTED BACK UP AND RAN OK BUT DID THE SAME THING THE NEXT DAY, BUT THIS TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATED IT WAS LIKELY THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH HAD POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, CITING POSSIBLE SUDDEN DECELERATION. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER TO FIX IT, BUT THEY DID NOT FIX IT. INSTEAD THEY "FIXED" A DIFFERENT CODE THEY SAID SHOWED UP ON THE COMPUTER AND DID NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWO DAYS LATER BUT, AGAIN, NO LIGHTS CAME ON. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED, THE SAME THING OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 2 MILES. APPARENTLY IT'S STILL THE THROTTLE BODY I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX A MONTH AGO THAT THEY DID NOT FIX. SO NOW I'M OUT $600 TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. ON ALL OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON SIDE CITY STREETS AT A FAIRLY SLOW RATE OF SPEED, NOT EXCEEDING 25 MPH. AND FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR SO I COULD PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET THE CAR RE-STARTED SAFELY.
Steering, Jun 12, 2016
NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. WAS TOLD IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND COULD HAVE CAUSED LIFE THREATENING INJURY OF POSSIBLY DEATH. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON FRIDAY, SAT OVER THE WEEKEND AND WHEN I WENT IN TO START IT ON MONDAY AND DRIVE IT TO WORK THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MOVE AND THE TIRES STAYED STATIONARY. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND THE RECALL THAT IS OUT THERE WAS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST APPROX $1,400.00 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS NEVER PART OF THEFT. IT IS 9 YEARS OLD, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING AND NOT DRIVEN HARD.
Engine, Jun 5, 2016
CAR LOST POWER AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO CHUG HOME. NOT ABLE TO DRIVE UP HILL. CAR WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE A CHECK OF ENGINE CODE SHOWS THROTLE CLOSED
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2016
RADIATOR FAN IS CONSTANTLY RUNNING AT HIGH SPEED EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. WHEN TURNING ON THE AC FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR A CLOUD OF SOMETHING CAME OUT OF THE VENTS WHICH STARTLED THE DRIVER AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF IN A CONGESTED AREA. AC IS NOW BLOWING WARN AIR ONLY. THIS SAME ISSUE IS NOTED NUMEROUS TIMES IN ONLINE FORUMS FROM OTHER 2008 - 2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS.
Engine, May 26, 2016
JUST DRIVING NORMALLY AND CAR STALLS OUT--SUPPOSEDLY A FAILED THROTTLE BODY.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 16, 2016
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING FUEL SINCE FEB. 2016 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I'VE REPLACED THE EVAP. CANISTER DUE TO THE LEAK, THE SEAL WITH IT AS WELL, AND THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. ALL THIS WORK WAS DONE AT 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS. I WAS STILL LEAKING FUEL AND WROTE TO FORD WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD FIX IT GRATIS. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GASKET GOING INTO THE TANK AND THAT "SHOULD" TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T. GAS FUMES STILL FILLED MY CAR, AND LEAKED GAS ALL OVER THE GROUND WHEREVER I DROVE OR PARKED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM I WAS STILL LEAKING FUEL, BUT NO ENGINE LIGHT AS IN THE LAST VISIT. THEY COULD SMELL IT AND SEE IT HAD SOAKED THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE IS A PLASTIC RING AROUND THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT WAS CRACKED AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TANK AND SYSTEM FOR APPROXIMATELY $1000 ADDITIONAL ON TOP OF WHAT I HAD ALREADY REPLACED. I ASKED HIM HOW ALL THESE MECHANICS COULD MISS THIS?? AND HOW CAN IT CRACK IF IT'S SO TIGHT IN THERE UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR IS THERE A DESIGN FLAW, OR A FAILURE OF THE PART ITSELF BECAUSE OF SOME PROBLEM IN MANUFACTURING. THE CAR LEAKS WHILE PARKED, IN MOTION, AND FILLS WITH GAS FUMES. I AM TERRIFIED I MAY HIT A POT HOLE AND BLOW UP. MYSELF I DON'T MIND, BUT I HAVE MY 2YO GRANDSON WITH ME AND THAT IS JUST SCARY AS ALL GET OUT. AND THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHT THAT COMES ON FOR THIS. HE TELLS ME THE PART SEALS AS THE SYSTEM COMPRESSES WHEN STARTING AND THE GAS EXPANDS WITH HEAT THAT'S WHY THE OVERFLOW.THAT MAY EXPLAIN SOME, BUT I LOSE A TANK OF GAS EVERY 2-4 DAYS. IF THE BREAK IS AT THE TOP HOW IS THE GAS LEAVING MY TANK IN SUCH EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNTS? AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SERVICED THAT CAR WERE FORD "MECHANICS".COMPUTER ILLITERATE FOR UPLOADS, BUT I HAVE DOCUMENTATION& PICS
Electrical system, Engine, May 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Steering, May 1, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE ESCAPE THE STEERING WHEEL JUST LOCKS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I HAVE TO GET THE ESCAPE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT ON RECALL SO THEY CANT FIX IT. THEY DID CLEAN THE WIRES AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE, BUT IT STILL DID IT AGAIN.
Steering, Apr 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.