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.
Power train, Oct 28, 2011
SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IS AS FOLLOWS; 2009 FORD ESCAPE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP OUT OF 5TH GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THIS FIRST OCCURRED FIRST IN NOVEMBER 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 58000 MILES (REPAIRED), THEN IN APRIL 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 72000 MILES (REPAIRED), THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 90000 MILES, NOT YET REPAIRED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 23, 2011
THE ACCELERATOR OF THIS RENTAL CAR FAILED, AFTER ACCELERATING TO OVER 40MPH ON A HIGHWAY. IT WOULD ONLY BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN ONCE WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. IT FAILED 5 MORE TIMES BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO PARK IT SAFELY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Oct 17, 2011
THIS IS TO REPORT A RECENT ISSUE WITH MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS DRIVING 65 - 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY ACCELERATOR DIED. IT IS LIKE LOSING THE BRAKES BUT THE OPPOSITE. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT DO ANYTHING AND YOU HAVE TO GO ON THE SIDE FOR EMERGENCY STOP. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THAT IT IS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF A CRASH WITH ANY VEHICLE AROUND YOU AT THE TIME OF SUDDENLY LOSING YOUR SPEED IN A HIGHWAY. THE DASH SHOWED A WRENCH LIGHT, WHICH TELLS ME TO BRING THE CAR TO DEALER. THE DEALER ON THE OTHER HAND WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND A SERVICE CODE FROM COMPUTER. IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES AND I HAVE TO BRING THE CAR THE 2ND TIME, THEN THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY EVEN WITHOUT GETTING A SERVICE CODE. SO FAR NO REPEAT OF THE PROBLEM. BUT I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS FOR RECALL ISSUE AND FOR SAFETY REASON SINCE I SEE SIMILAR DISCUSSIONS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS IN THE WEB. *TR
Power train, Oct 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,741 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,800.
Power train, Sep 19, 2011
I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH UP THE HILL AND WAS TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE. I TRIED TO INCREASE THE SPEED TO 70 MPH AND THERE WAS SUDDEN SHIFT OF GEARS; IT WENT FROM HIGH TO LOW AND THEN HIGH AGAIN. I FELT SUDDEN JERK AND THE POWERTRAIN LIGHT CAME ON. THIS THING HAPPENED ONCE MORE AFTER THAT INCIDENT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR LAST 4 DAYS. THE LATEST I WAS INFORMED IS THAT, THEY WILL REPLACE IT. THE REASON I AM WRITING THIS IS THAT, THIS IS NOT ONE SPORADIC ISSUE. I KNOW AT LEAST 2 PERSONS WHO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2009 ESCAPES. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT DIE, BUT FOR THEM, IT DIED ON THE FREEWAYS. NOT A VERY SAFE SITUATION TO BE IN. THANKS FOR READING. *KB
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2011
ON 7/17/2011 WHILE DRIVING FROM EDEN PRAIRIE, MN TO HOME IN HASTINGS, MN WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL I, ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER, SMELLED A ODOR LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I PULLED INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND I INVESTIGATED THE ODOR. I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE ODOR WAS ORIGINATING FROM THE DASH PANEL. WITHOUT DISMANTLING ANYTHING I WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE ODOR, WHICH BY THIS TIME WAS DISSIPATING. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN NO RE-OCCURRENCE OF THE ODOR AND WE CONTINUED TOWARDS HOME. LATER AFTER STOPPING AT A STORE AND RESUMING OUT TRIP I WAS UNABLE TO DISCERN AIR FLOW FROM THE AIR VENTS ALTHOUGH THE FAN CONTROL WAS SET TO 2. NO AIRFLOW WAS APPARENT UNTIL THE FAN CONTROL WAS SET TO 4. *TR
Power train, Aug 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH AN RV, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/29/12 *CN ON APRIL 3, 2012 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE SHIFTING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED FOR THE SLIPPING ISSUES. UPDATED 05/18/12
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2011
ON AUG 13, 2011 THE REAR WINDOW ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED WHEN THE HATCH DOOR WAS CLOSED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOV 12, 2010 AND WE FILED A REPORT THEN TOO. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES OUR CAR WAS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN MY WIFE CLOSED THE DOOR. WE KNOW THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THE 2010 - 2011 ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS AS WELL. WE BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.
Power train, Aug 18, 2011
WHILE BEING TOWED BEHIND MY MOTOR HOME THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SMOKING. WHEN I STOPPED THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE I THOUGHT IT WAS ON FIRE AND GRABBED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I HAD THE CAR HAULED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AT 8260 ODOMETER MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BEING TOWED AT 10834 ODOMETER MILES AND AFTER BEING TOWED APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. EACH REPAIR TOOK 2-3 WEEKS TO COMPLETE. ALTHOUGH FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE ESCAPE CAN BE TOWED WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURES REPORTED ON THE INTERNET UNDER "FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS + TOWING" WHICH LEADS ONE TO BELIEVE THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TOWED WITHOUT GREAT RISK. THIS FAILURE IS NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT IT IS A FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER AND A SAFETY PROBLEM. DEPENDING UPON WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURS IT MIGHT BE VERY DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. ALSO, AT SOME POINT THE VEHICLE COULD CONCEIVABLY CATCH FIRE WHICH WOULD PRESENT AN EVEN GREATER POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE REPORT OF A FIRE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE TRANSMISSION USED IN THE ESCAPE IS A 6F35 TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ALSO USED IN THE MERCURY MARINER, FORD FUSION AND MAZADA TRIBUTE. SO THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IF THEY ARE TOWED ALL FOUR WHEELS DOWN.
Exterior lighting, Jun 27, 2011
LIGHT BULBS (BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL, 3RD BRAKE LIGHT) ARE BURNING OUT AFTER ONLY A SHORT TIME. APPEARS TO BE BURN MARKS NEAR BASE OF BULB, SEEMS THEY ARE BURNING TOO HOT/TOO MUCH CURRENT. THESE BULBS WERE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, WITH 22000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BOTH REAR BRAKE/TURN SIGNAL PART OF THE 3157 BULBS BURNED OUT. ONE OF THE BULBS IN THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BURNED OUT ALREADY. I REPLACED THE 2 BRAKE/TURN SIGNAL BULBS MYSELF AND TO PASS INSPECTION, HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPLACE 1 OF THE 3RD BRAKE BULBS THAT WAS BURNED OUT, WHICH WAS OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE. ($20). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2011
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH HER 2009 FORD ESCAPE; SHE HAS AN ARBITRATION DATE ON JUNE 28 IN COLUMBUS, OHIO; PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE CLEVELAND OFFICE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP/LUNGE WHILE ENGAGING IT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNG/JUMP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR A REAR LEAKING WINDOW. THE WEATHER STRIPING WAS REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK CONTINUED. RECENTLY, WHEN THE CONSUMER FILLED THE GAS TANK, IT ONLY REGISTERED A HALF TANK. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON BUSY 4 LANE CITY STREET VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO CENTER LEFT TURN LANE BRINGING VEHICLE TO A STOP. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED INERTIA SWITCH. CONCERN IS IF FUEL SHUT OFF SWITCH (INERTIA SWITCH) HAD FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES IT IS ANY ONES GUESS WHAT THE OUTCOME MAY HAVE BEEN. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, SUDDEN START OR SUDDEN STOP TO CAUSE THE SWITCH TO FAIL. *TR
Steering, May 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Seat belts, Apr 19, 2011
2009 FORD ESCAPE - DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION AND LOCKED IN CLOSED POSITION. CANNOT RE-LATCH. FORD DEALER IN GALVESTON, TEXAS NOT RESPONDING TO REPEATED REQUEST TO SCHEDULE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART....? *TR
Steering, Mar 30, 2011
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AS MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE IDLED. THIS 'SHAKING' IS RANDOM; IT DOESN'T OCCUR ALL THE TIME. SINCE AROUND THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT, WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FREEZES. TO RECTIFY IT, I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, WAITED A FEW MOMENTS, RE-STARTED IT AND POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. ONE TIME HOWEVER, THE 'FREEZING' OCCURRED WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. ON MARCH 29 THE POWER STEERING 'FROZE' AGAIN. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES TO RESTORE POWER STEERING BUT IT WAS STILL ABSENT. I DROVE ABOUT 60 MILES WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP MARCH 30 AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN, AT A COST OF $1200 FOR PARTS ALONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD IN THE INTERIM, BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN IT IS REPAIRED IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN WELL-DRIVEN FOR THE TWO AND A HALF YEARS I'VE HAD IT, WITH NO COLLISIONS, ETC. THAT MAY HAVE COMPROMISED IT'S QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE. *TR
Power train, Mar 30, 2011
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITHOUT A SHOULDER. A VEHICLE IN MY LANE SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, SO I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO CHECK THE NEXT LANE TO SEE IF I COULD SWERVE OVER AT WHICH POINT I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET IN FRONT OF THE CAR IN THE OTHER LANE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE RPMS DIDN'T CHANGE, AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS AND THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, IT FINALLY ENGAGED INTO GEAR AND JOLTED FORWARD. I NARROWLY MISSED THE STOPPED CAR. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE DEAD SPOTS IN ACCELERATION AFTER THE MANDATORY TSB FORD RELEASED. THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE TIMES IN WHICH IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND I TRY TO AVOID MAKING ANY LEFT HANDED TURNS AGAINST TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN PLAGUED WITH OTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUES, SUCH AS SLAMMING INTO GEAR, SLIPPING GEARS, SHIFT FLARES, HARSH SHIFTING AND EVEN THE TRANSMISSION BEING UNRESPONSIVE AND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE JOLTING FORWARD WHEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2011
WALNUT CREEK FORD MISREPRESENTED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE I WAS PURCHASING WITH 17 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES COULD BE DRIVEN WITH CABLES AT THE TIME THAT WE ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AND SIGNED AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT IT COULD NOT USE SNOW CHAINS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN WE HAD TO USE THE CABLES WE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN CALIFORNIA IN SNOW AT ALL BECAUSE NEITHER CABLES OR SNOW CHAINS CAN BE USED. SNOW TIRES ARE NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL ALLOWS SNOW TIRES ONLY WITH 4 WD VEHICLES AND THIS CAR IS A 2 WD VEHICLE, THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY IN SNOW AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE WALNUT CREEK FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY DEFECT AND IN FACT WILL NOT EVEN RETURN MY PHONE CALLS AT ALL. UPDATED PORTABLE 03/03/11
Seat belts, Dec 30, 2010
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED ARBITRARILY. THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE SEAT BELT WAS TO UNBUCKLE AND ALLOW SEAT BELT TO FULLY RETRACT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON (3) OCCASIONS TO HAVE SEAT BELT REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUED. TOOK VEHICLE TO 3RD PARTY AND HAD SEAT BELT REPLACED AND PROBLEM IS NOW RESOLVED. ORIGINAL SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, PERSONS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. FORD REFUSED TO HONOR FACTORY WARRANTY AND REPAIR PROBLEM. *TR
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2010
MY WIFE WAS LOADING OUR ESCAPE TRUNK BEFORE GOING TO WORK IN THE MORNING. WHEN SHE CLOSED THE HATCH DOOR, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUTWARD. IT WAS LIKE THE WINDOW EXPLODED SENDING GLASS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW COST ALMOST $600 TO REPLACE AND THE FORD BODY SHOP ESTIMATED ALMOST $1,300 DAMAGE TO THE HATCH FINISH FOR THE NICKS AND SCRATCHES FROM THE BROKEN GLASS. WE CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER ANY OF THE DAMAGE. OUR INSURANCE COVERED THE COST OF THE REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR OUR $250 DEDUCTIBLE. WE FOUND A WEB SITE WHERE THERE WERE 31 INCIDENTS OF ESCAPE REAR WINDOWS SHATTERING. WE BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS OR WINDOW DESIGN AND WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE TIMING CHAIN COVER CRACKED CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO COME LOOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WHO REPLACED THE TIMING COVER. FIVE MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL AND WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN COVER HAD CRACKED AGAIN. THE DEALER HAD NOT DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN COVER TO CRACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Power train, Dec 6, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH UP A STEEP HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL HAD BURNED OUT AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS BUT HAD NOT STALLED SINCE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Power train, Dec 5, 2010
THIS 2009 FORD ESCAPE WAS PURCHASED AUGUST 1, 2009. I CAN'T SAY HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. BEGINNING MAY 19TH, 2010 WITH A RECALL, THE ABOVE-MENTIONED VEHICLE BEGAN SPUTTERING, STALLING AND JERKING UPON ACCELERATION. ON AUGUST 16TH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENE STEFFY FORD IN COLUMBUS FOR REPAIR. AGAIN, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STARTED TO STALL AND SPUTTER WHEN DRIVEN OVER 20 MILES. THREE TIMES IN SEPTEMBER, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STEFFY FORD IN COLUMBUS FOR WORK. THEY FAILED TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO BAXTER FORD IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA. ON OCTOBER 12TH, 2010 AN INTAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROVE THE SAID VEHICLE OVER 100 MILES. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAS STILL NOT PERFORMED TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ON DECEMBER 1, 2010 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAXTER FORD FOR SERVICE WORK. THIS TIME THE LH TRANS AXLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DRAINED AND A CASE BUSHING WAS FOUND TO BE WORN. THE VEHICLE STILL JERKS ON ACCELERATION AND NOW THE STEERING WHEEL IS CROOKED. DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE IF THE AXLE WAS WORN AT ONLY 31,000 MILES. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT INFORMED HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT MOVE BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS LOCKED. IN ORDER TO GET THE SEAT BELT TO OPERATE NORMALLY IT HAD TO BE UNBUCKLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED; IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 01/31/11
Electrical system, Nov 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BATTERY IN HER VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO GAIN ACCESS FROM THE FLOOR BOARD IN THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Visibility, Nov 10, 2010
VISIBLE PARTICULATE MATTER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN COMING FROM INTERIOR HEATING/COOLING DUCTS OF 2009 FORD ESCAPE. DEALER KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS TO "BLOW OUT" THE SYSTEM AND ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL PERSISTS, CAUSING ME TO COUGH AND SNEEZE. DEALER STATES THE WHITE RESIDUE IS NOT HARMFUL BUT I DO NOT AGREE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SAMPLES TESTED FOR TOXICITY AND HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM CONTINUOUS INHALATION. *TR