2009 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,348 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Ford Escape, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 56/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 122,500 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2009 Ford Escape sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2006–2007, 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 2009 sits among all Escape years
What owners report
“My vehicle loses power steering while driving. When the vehicle is restarted, power steering temporarily works but then fails while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
“I was driving at 30 mph while driving the car, the power train light came on and the car stall and loss power. I stepped on the gas pedal and nothing happened. I had to stop, put the car on parking, turn it off then turn it back on and then the car function perfectly. This is not the first time…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
“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”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
“Vehicle would stall out, all power loss during driving. P2111 throttle issue. Happened 3 times. During acceleration/deceleration (especially on slopes) vehicle would just lose all power. Had to stop and shut off ignition before it would work again.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
“Car started shuttering while maintaining a constant speed. Car was taken to the dealership and i was told that it was not covered under warranty, throttle body was the problem and the part was replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
“While driving the steering wheel will lock up and then the car lose power and shuts off”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Escape
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,944 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 85,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 58,207 and 124,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2009 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2009 Ford Escape drew 2,348 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 56/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2009 Ford Escape problems?
The top reported problems for the 2009 Ford Escape are steering (828 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (302), and engine (292).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Escape problems show up?
Owners most often report 2009 Ford Escape problems around 85,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 58,207 and 124,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Ford Escape have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2009 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.