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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Aug 6, 2013
THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN I STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED SLOWING DOWN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD & PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUG. 2ND, 3RD AND 5TH, 2013. WHEN IT HAPPENED ON AUG. 5TH I WAS A BLOCK FROM HOME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT TIME. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN & THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON SO I TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME & PARKED IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & THEY PICKED IT UP AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2013
THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. I TOLD THEM IT SUDDENLY STUTTERS AND SLOWS DOWN AND IT WON'T RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL. I HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF, AND RESTART. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND ALWAYS IN TRAFFIC IT SEEMS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED SEVERAL TIMES. IT ALSO REVVED UP TO 10MPH WHILE SITTING IN PARK WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. WE TOLD THEM IT WAS THE THROTTLE, BUT THE COMPUTER DID NOT PICK UP THE CODE. I FEEL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT UNLESS THE THROTTLE IS FIXED. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SERIOUS RECALL! I HEAR THEY CANNOT GET THROTTLE PARTS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND I HAVE BEEN LOYAL FOR 30 YEARS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2013
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-95 SOUTH AND AS I WAS EXITING TO GO WEST ON I-495 MY FORD ESCAPE LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COME TO A STOP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,210. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Engine, Aug 5, 2013
WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED THERE SEEMS TO BE NO GAS GOING IN THERE.THE A MOTOR ACTUALLY GOES FROM A NORMAL SOUNDING ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT DROPS DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I HAVE TO COAST TO PARK SAFELY. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT A HALF HOUR TO START THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST CONKED OUT AGAIN. NOW WHAT ITS DOING ITS GETTING IT GOT WORSE AND NOW I CAN ONLY GO MAYBE 5 MINUTES AND IT CONK OUT AGAIN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 5, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN A COUPLE OF MILES AN HOUR. THE ENGINE WAS SURGING DURING THIS TIME. I COULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT BUT IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE CODES THAT WERE READ FROM THE VEHICLE WERE P2111 AND P2112 AND SAID THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AND THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 3, 2013
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO DIE.I PULLED OVER AND REALIZED IT WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT WOULD ONLY IDLE AND DID NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE ABOUT 50 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT,BUT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE NEXT DAY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND IT LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY. I RESTARTED IT AND WITHIN DRIVING 5 MILES IT " DIED" OVER 15 TIMES. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT ONE MORE TIME AND IT REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM 3 TIMES BEFORE I MADE IT TO THE END OF MY BLOCK..I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN HIGHWAY ON VACATION OUT OF STATE THE FORD ESCAPE SLOWED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. "WRENCH LIGHT" LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED. IT CONTINUED TO RUN SLOWLY AND WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. CAR RESTARTED AND RAN NORMALLY OVER 100 MILES TO FINAL DESTINATION. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DETECTED NO "CODES" BUT SUGGESTED A FORD DEALER EXAMINE BASED UPON HISTORY. DEALER CONFIRMED COMPUTER ISSUE WITH THROTTLE BODY FAULTS CAUSED STALL AND REPLACED PART. TOTAL COSTS APPROX $300. NO RECURRENCE OF STALLS ON HIGHWAY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 2, 2013
CAME OFF FREEWAY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER DOING 70 MPH. STOPPED. TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR. WENT TO ACCELERATE AND SEVERE HESITATION. HAVE ALSO HAD MANY TIMES WHERE ACCELERATING WITH VEHICLE AND IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN SURGE. *TR
Power train, Aug 2, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON I-55 MY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, FROM THE MIDDLE LANE, AS TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT THAT MOMENT. TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND WAS THEN ABLE TO RESTART IT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 MORE TIMES WHILE WAITING THE 6 WEEKS FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN AND GET THEM INSTALLED. DURING THIS LONG WAITING PERIOD (FOR THE NEW PART) I ASKED IF THAT PART COULD JUST BE TAKEN FROM A NEW ESCAPE AT THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD "NO, BECAUSE THAT PART MAY ALSO BE DEFECTIVE." HMMMM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 2, 2013
DRIVING ON LOCAL HIGHWAY AND ENGINE ENTERED "SAFE MODE" (WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE). PREVIOUSLY VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER AND NEAR STALL BUT RUN FINE WHEN RESTARTED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2013
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-95 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, CAR LOST POWER & STALLED. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD ONTO SHOULDER, TURNED IGNITION OFF & RESTARTED, DRIVING AWAY NORMALLY. THIS OCCURENCE HAS REPEATED ITSELF 3 OR 4 TIMES SINCE MAY.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2013
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Engine, Jul 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,500.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 31, 2013
AFTER USE AND PARK, THE ESCAPE 2009 4 CYL. DO NOT START. SEVERAL TIMES IN BETWEEN WEEKS WITH THIS TROUBLE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, START AS NOTHING OCCUR. IN AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC, SENT A CODE: 1260 AND 1681. STARTER IS GOOD AND ELECTRONIC IGNITION WAS RECENTLY CHANGED THINKING WILL STOP THE INCIDENTS BUT WITHOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DO THE TROUBLE, THE ANTITHEFT ICON KEEP BLINKING IN THE KEY ON POSITION. I CHANGED THE MAIN KEY FOR THE COPY AND KEEP DOING THE TROUBLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2013
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE STALLED, LOST POWER AND AT 70 MILES PER HR ON THE INTERSTATE I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONCE I LOST ALL POWER AND SPEED. I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE HOME. I'M HAPPY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I DROVE THE CAR 2 MORE DAYS IN MY RURAL AREA BEFORE DECIDING THAT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MILES LATER AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 31, 2013
DRIVING VEHICLE APPROX. 50 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY, APPROX 105 DEGREES IN LAS VEGAS NV, THE RPM'S SUDDENLY WENT "LIMP" AROUND 900 EVEN THOUGH THE GAS PEDDLE WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. APPEARANCE OF A WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTED. HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED. RAN FINE LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF. SAME ISSUE. REPEAT TROUBLESHOOTING. INCIDENT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR 4 MORE DAYS CONSISTENTLY. TAKEN INTO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. MECHANIC CONTACTED ME AFTER DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED THAT THE CODE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY WAS IN ERROR. REPLACED THE FAULTY PART( I KEPT IT AT MY REQUEST DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER) AND THE VEHICLE NOW RUNS FINE. THANK GOODNESS THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED ANYONE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2013
VEHICLE MOVING AT CONSTANT 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE STUMBLE FELT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND LOST ALL ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SAFELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND ALL SYSTEMS WERE AGAIN OK. PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (THROTTLE BODY) AND FIX REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE PART. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE RT, SPEED LIMIT 55MPH AT 9PM, NO LIGHTING ALONG RT, ACCELERATING TO KEEP UP SPEED GOING UP A HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. PULLING OVER TO MY RIGHT (OFF THE ROAD ) PUTTING ON MY FLASHERS, WAS NOW AT A COMPLETE STOP WAS HIT IN REAR LEFT DOING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME.THE CAR THAT HIT ME LEFT THE SEEN OF THE ACCIDENT. NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.TOWED CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD FIXED, INTERNAL THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 29, 2013
THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS 10 OR MORE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE YELLOW WRENCH SYMBOL IS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SWITCHING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR A FEW MILES - SOMETIMES FOR A DAY OR TWO. AFTER TALKING WITH A COUPLE FORD DEALERS, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND THERE WAS NO THROTTLE BODY'S AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TWO TO THREE MONTH BACKORDER FOR THE PART. IF I KEEP DRIVING THE CAR IT WILL BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE CAR WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S ABOUT TO STALL. I IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT THEN START IT BACK UP. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN UNTIL I TOOK IT INTO A GARAGE TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 28, 2013
DRIVING AT AROUND 70MPH AND I NOTICED A LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A WRENCH. THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE ACCELERATION. I HAD TO PULL OVER, STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARS AFTER ABOUT 4-5 MIN OF DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL START UP AGAIN AND DISAPPEAR AFTER A FEW WEEKS. *TR
Power train, Jul 28, 2013
DRIVING INTO ROUND ABOUTS IN SHEBOYGAN WISCONSIN. VEHICLE LOST POWER WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALMOST WAS SIDE SWIPED BY ANOTHER CAR. WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR AGAIN WHERE IT IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. *TR