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, Mar 7, 2014
WHEN I START MY VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILS, DOES NOT MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESTORES THE POWER STEERING. STEERING JERKS AND MAKES SOUNDS LIKE A GEAR MECHANISM IS CATCHING CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE IT HAS NOT FAILED WHILE DRIVING YET, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ALWAYS ON THE VERGE OF FAILING. *TR
Power train, Mar 7, 2014
CAR SLOWED THEN ACCELERATED TO OVER 100MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER, TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HAPPENED AGAIN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT 5MPH, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND STOPPED WITH A BUMP TO MY GARAGE DOOR. TOOK IT TO DEALER, TOLD NOTHING WRONG AND NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NOW I FIND OUT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION LINKAGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE HAS A RECALL. DEALER WANTS $100 TO LOOK AT IT. IF THE PART BEING RECALLED IS FINE, THEY KEEP THE $100, IF NOT THEY DEDUCT IT FROM MY BILL OR REFUND IT TO ME. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY NOTHING COULD BE DONE, ACCORDING TO THEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL MORE OCCASIONS, INCLUDING THE SLOWING UP OF THE VEHICLE. YOU PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN AND YOU LOSE POWER, THEN SUDDENLY IT KICKS IN AND YOU'RE OFF AND RUNNING AT HIGH SPEEDS, WITH THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I'VE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP AND THROWN IT INTO NEUTRAL AND WATCHED THE ENGINE TACH VERY HIGH BEFORE TURNING IT OFF (INTO ACCESSORIES SO I STILL HAVE BRAKES AND STEERING) TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INFORMED ME THE DEALER HAS THE RIGHT TO CHARGE ME THE FEE BUT URGED ME TO GO TO DEALER AND PAY. IF THE LINKAGE IS ON RECALL THEN WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A FEE UP FRONT? THEY CLAIM I SHOULD GET A REFUND IF IT IS THE LINKAGE, BUT I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. NO WARNING LIGHTS, CHECK ENGINE OR ANYTHING CAME ON. I NOW HAVE THE CAR UP FOR SALE AND I AM PASSING THIS PROBLEM ONTO THE NEXT BUYER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN URGING ME TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUSHES SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2014
ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL AROUND 7:50 AM, MY SON (NEW DRIVER) STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR TOWN. HE WAS FIRST IN LINE. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY AND THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. HE SAID HE WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE ENGINE WASN'T RESPONDING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, SO HE TRIED PRESSING THE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES AND STILL GOT NO RESPONSE. HE PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HE RESTARTED THE TRUCK AND THE GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO RESPOND AND HE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. UPON DOING OUR OWN INVESTIGATIONS AND RESEARCH, WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED LAST WEEKEND (NOT INEXPENSIVELY). SO FAR, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED, BUT THE INCIDENT HAS SHAKEN OUR FAITH IN THAT VEHICLE. WE'RE VERY CONCERNED THAT IT COULD LEAVE HIM IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THIS PART BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY AND UNNECESSARILY INJURED (OR WORSE).
Steering, Mar 4, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD TO PULL OVER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE STEERING WORKED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN IT IS IN THE CENTER POSITION. NOW EVERYTIME I START THE CAR I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LETTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO RESET. BUT THAT DOES NOTHING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING CULUMN AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ABOUT $1300. NOW AS I AM STARTING THE CAR IF I PULL THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT I HAVE POWER STEERING BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL SHAKES IF IT IS IN THE CENTER POSITING. IF I JUST START THE CAR LIKE NORMAL THE POWER STEERING NEVER WORKS. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD BUT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANY DRIVER AND THE CARS AROUND THEM. MANY OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2014
CAR LOST POWER. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, ENGINE WOULD IDLE ONLY. THROTTLE BODY HAD GONE BAD. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2014
POWER STEERING CUTS OUT OF ITS OWN ACCORD. HOWEVER WHEN THE STEERING WORKS THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND TWITCHES, PULLING THE STEERING WHILE IT MOVES A LITTLE EACH TIME. I HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS TO STEADY THE WHEEL AS I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OUT MID TURN, RESULTING IN MANY POTHOLE STRIKES, I AM SURPRISED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ANOTHER CAR IN TIME OR HEAVEN FORBID A PERSON OR ANIMAL AND THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Seat belts, Feb 28, 2014
DRIVERS SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY EXTENDED POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IN THE PAST IT HAS EVENTUALLY RETRACTED ON ITS OWN AFTER A FEW DAYS. THIS TIME I CAN ONLY USE THE SEAT BELT IF I MOVE THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK FARTHER THEN I'M COMFORTABLE WITH. I BELIEVE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S STUCK BUT ALSO THE BELT PRETTY MUCH PINS ME TO THE SEAT WHEN I USE IT. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2014
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO, UPON TURNING KEY, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT ENGAGE, STAYING LOCKED - AT FIRST WAS A RARE OCCURRENCE, BUT LATELY HAVE HAD TO RESTART VEHICLE 2-3 TIMES TO GET THE POWER STEERING. MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IS ALSO LOSING STEERING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING - ON ONE INSTANCE, JANUARY 3, 2014, I WAS TURNING LEFT IN AN INTERSECTION, AND MY STEERING WHEEL FROZE MID-TURN, WITH TRAFFIC COMING RIGHT AT ME! I WAS ABLE TO SPEED UP AND FORCE TURN, BARELY CLEARING A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE SIDE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE - UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE, IT STEERED JUST FINE. I ASSUMED IT WAS A MINOR GLITCH IN STEERING, BUT THE INCIDENTS BECAME MORE FREQUENT, FINDING MYSELF UNABLE TO STEER TO TURN INTO/OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PARKING LOT AND EVEN TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY, 2-26-2014, TOPPED IT. I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AT MAX.30 MPH, I LOST STEERING, 5 TIMES IN 15 MINUTES, NO WARNING OF ANY KIND ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC - THAT IS END OF SCHOOL DAY, PARENTS AND CHILDREN WALKING/RUNNING AROUND ALL OVER! THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS MORNING I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP - AND I BETTER NOT HAVE TO PAY WHAT I'M SEEING OTHER PEOPLE HAD TO PAY FOR EXACTLY THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF/RECALLED BY FORD, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE IN THEIR ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, AND THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED BY IT, RISKING CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIVES. *TR
Steering, Feb 26, 2014
STARTED VEHICLE THIS MORNING AND DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE TO LOCAL STORE. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT INDICATING A LACK OF POWER STEERING. AFTER SHOPPING AT STORE, I DROVE ABOUT .25 MILES TO A BANK. AGAIN THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. AFTER THE BANK, I DROVE 25 MILES TO WORK (WITH POWER STEERING) AND THEN ANOTHER 25 MILES HOME IN THE EVENING. WHEN I STARTED THE DRIVE HOME, I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AFTER TALKING TO MY FORD DEALER EARLIER IN THE DAY AND AFTER READING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB OF THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOM, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THIS TIME I HAD POWER STEERING. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ACTIVATES THE ELECTRICAL (?) POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS SWITCH CAN BECOME INTERMITTENT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. REPORTED REPAIR COST IS $1400 BECAUSE OF DIFFICULT ACCESS TO SAID SWITCH. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VERY DISCONCERTING PROBLEM WITH HUGE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. WEB REPORTS TELL OF LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STEERED BUT ONLY WITH GREAT EFFORT. SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS HARDLY FAIL-SAFE. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2014
POWER STEERING/STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. 250 MILES INTO MY TRIP I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED AND WITHOUT WARNING I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO GET OFF THE BUSY STREET. HOPING FOR A SIMPLE ANSWER I CHECKED THE "FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE (EPAS) , PARK AID MODULE" FUSE AND IT WAS FINE. IT WAS LATE EVENING - THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED, NO RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE. THE POLICE ENDED UP TAKING ME, MY DOGS, MY LUGGAGE, ETC. TO A MOTEL. IN THE MORNING ARRANGED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND RENTAL CAR. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS A JERK BECAUSE I HAD PULLED THE FUSE AND RESET THE ERROR CODE. TOLD HIM WHEN YOU'RE IN A STRANGE AREA WITH NO HELP TO BE FOUND, YOU'RE DESPERATE AND WILL TRY WHATEVER YOU CAN. WAS NOT IN THE MOOD TO PUT UP WITH HIS ATTITUDE. GOT ON THE ROAD IN THE RENTAL CAR AND HOURS LATER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $1,300+ AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD PURCHASED HAD EXPIRED 1/21/2014. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY POSTS REGARDING THIS MATTER. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO REALIZE THIS IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM? I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT ISSUE I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED (AT ABOUT 31K); FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED; THE LEFT, FRONT SPEAKER THAT WAS REPLACED HAS GONE BAD AGAIN. I AM NOT A BAD DRIVER (HAVE NEVER HAD A TICKET OR BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL), I AM CAREFUL WITH MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. NEXT TIME IT BREAKS DOWN I'LL BE TEMPTED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE THING AND NOT LOOK BACK. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2014
POWER STEERING FAILURE (ELECTRONIC). TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED ($878.00) AND IT FAILED WITHIN THE DAY. WAS REPLACED AGAIN. NOW IT IS STILL FAILING AND AM HAVING TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO RE-EXAMINE AGAIN TOMORROW. *TR A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/01/14.
Steering, Feb 24, 2014
WHEEL LOCKS UP AND DOESN'T MOVE, POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK EITHER. HAVE TO TURN CAR ON AND OFF CONTINUALLY UNTIL NORMAL STEERING FUNCTIONS RETURN. DROPPED CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY! AFTER SOME RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO RECALL? VERY UNSAFE NOT ONLY FOR DRIVERS BUT SURROUNDING CARS ON THE ROAD AS WELL!! *TR
Steering, Feb 20, 2014
I HAVE A 2009 FORD ESCAPE AND I ALMOST GOT IN A ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AS I WAS TURNING MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. AS I DID MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS BUT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT IS AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT ALL THEY DID WAS APOLOGIZE AND NOTHING MORE. THE COST TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED IS ABOUT 1500.00 WHICH MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY UNDRIVEABLE SINCE I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT AT THIS TIME. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 19, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND HARD TO TURN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND TURN BACK ON. COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENS ON THE EXPRESSWAY/AS WELL AS STREET DRIVING. IT'S HAPPENING VERY OFTEN NOW. WHILE DRIVING THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS SHAKING, SHAKING REAL BAD... *TR
Steering, Feb 18, 2014
I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE STEERING OF MY VEHICLE. THE STEERING TIGHTENS AND I'M UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AS I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 15, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. CAR WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO FORD AND THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT IN. AFTER MULTIPLE TIMES ON CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATES WHICH I FEARED FOR MY LIFE, THE CAR WOULD HAVE NO POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I WOULD STEP ON GAS. HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART TO MAKE ANYTHING WORK. AFTER THAT I TOOK IT TO FORD AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THROTTLE BODY-AIR INTAKE WHICH THEY SAID THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET DUE TO OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEY SURELY KNOW THERE IS A DEFECT THERE IN THE THROTTLE BOTTLE AND CERTAINLY AN ENDANGERMENT TO THOSE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TO THOSE AROUND THEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 15, 2014
WENT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND SPED UP TO 45 MPH AND LOST ALL THE ASSISTANCE IN POWER STEERING. FELT LIKE I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL. I SLOWED DOWN AND BARELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. TOLD MY KIDS EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL 10 MIN LATER...SAME ISSUE. ALMOST WRECKED TWICE WITH THE KIDS WITH ME. *TR
Steering, Feb 15, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, MY STEERING TIGHTENED UP AND I REALIZED MY POWER STEERING HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE CURVE SAFELY BUT STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH OFF AN EXIT RAMP, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD INDEPENDENTLY RESET. THE FAILURE WAS AN INTERMITTENT RECURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 14, 2014
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. CAN BE OUT IF YOU TURN THE CAR ON. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND YOU START IT AGAIN THE POWER STEERING MAY COME BACK ON. MOST OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT THIS USUALLY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A DAY THAN YOU HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING HAS ALSO GONE OUT DURING DRIVING AS WELL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD IS MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 12, 2014
VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED (USUALLY BETWEEN 30-45 MPH) THE VEHICLE POWER FLUCTUATES BETWEEN SURGING AND LOSING POWER. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHEN COMING TO A STOP BECAUSE OF THIS FLUCTUATION. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IRREGULARLY. THE RPMS REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH, THEN THE TRANSMISSION JERKS THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING. THIS HAPPENS THE MOST BETWEEN FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE VARIABLE TIMING OF THE ENGINE. THEY WANT TO OPEN THE ENGINE TO TRY AND FIND THE PROBLEM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. THIS ISSUE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 44,000 MILES. THEY DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 60,000 MILES DUE TO CONFLICT OF SCHEDULE AND LONG COMMUTE TIMES. THEN THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS FROM THE VEHICLE STALLING OR LOSING POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Feb 10, 2014
2009 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, FOR A REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, HE WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR HE NEEDED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR, TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,400.
Steering, Feb 2, 2014
FIRST TIME HAPPENED AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, I NOTICED THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS WAS RESOLVED AFTER I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT TIME WAS 2 DAYS LATER WHEN I IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING CUT OUT COMPLETELY, THANKFULLY I WAS THE ONLY ONE AROUND BECAUSE IT TOOK A SECOND TO GRAB THE WHEEL TIGHTER AND TURN. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY AND IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SAFETY THAT I AM ABLE TO STEER. I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS FOR NOW BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD A $1200-$1800 REPAIR WHEN I JUST PUT MONEY INTO THIS CAR. ALSO I NOW NOTICE THAT MY WHEEL HAS A LOT MORE "WIGGLE ROOM" WITH STEERING AS WELL AS A GRINDING NOISE THAT NEVER WAS THERE BEFORE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jan 31, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DURING BOTH INCIDENTS THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, STALLED, AND ENGINE STARTED MISSING. TUNED VEHICLE OFF THEN TRIED TO RESTART AND WOULDN'T CLICK, CONTINUED MISSING. RPMS WOULD RISE WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT. TURN VEHICLE OFF AGAIN TO RESTART AND IT STARTED CORRECTLY. WHILE ALWAYS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL JOLT WHILE MOVING AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WASN'T CATCHING GEARS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2014
ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP. TAKING A RIGHT TURN, CAR RUMBLED AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. CAR WENT FROM 5MPH AND DROP DOWN TO 3MPH, THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT ON. STOPPED AT SIDE OF ROAD AND ENGINE STILL RUNNING. DROVE A LITTLE MORE AND ENGINE STILL RUMBLING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. *TR