Most common 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Share of the 153 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Escape Hybrid years: 2013, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2020, 2008, 2021, 2022, 2009. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Loss of power steering while driving
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05).
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles.
What 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid owners say
Steering all 70 →
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased to function; however, the contact was able to make a full turn of the steering wheel, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to regain power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the same failure three times within a month. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the steering module was reprogrammed; however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. …
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the power steering control module was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.
Brakes all 32 →
My ABS brakes on my 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid engine light came on and the RPM ramped while I was going 65 MPH down a highway and the front passenger brakes started smoking. I took it in to have it fixed and it was going to cost $5700 to fix because of some hcu unit that failed while I was driving at pretty good rate of speed. I am glad it didn't throw me off into a ditch or catch on fire with me in it. What a crappy design this is. Wow!!! Scary stuff.
I was driving in my work parking garage when I got a, "check brake system" warning on my dash, and a couple of dashboard lights lit up, including the emergency brake light. I suddenly realized that I had no brakes, and I was pressing my brake pedal to the floor in an attempt to stop the car. Luckily I was going about 5-10 MPH and there were no cars or people in front of me. I was able to continue around the parking garage until the car slowed, then used my emergency brake to stop the car. I started reading the manual trying to figure out what went wrong, and that didn't help. I turned the car back on and there were no warnings or lights on my dash, so I tentatively moved the car. The brakes worked perfectly. I drove it to a nearby mechanic shop to have it looked at before it acted up again. …
Engine & cooling all 26 →
Our 2009 Ford Hybrid Escape caught fire in our driveway. The fire department came and it took two firemen to put it out. The entire front was destroyed. Even the dash board was melted as a result of the fire. It appeared to be an electrical trigger, but there is no certainiy as to what cause this fire, which had flames nearly 10 feet high. My son was sitting in the car taliking on the phone. He came running in sayng there was smoke in the car and when I looked out the window it had already started to catch fire. Smoke and catch fire. I am thankful he was not injured and that my house -a cedar sided home- did not catch on fire.
My 09 Escape Hybrid suffered the same throttle body failure investigated in pe13003 and dp12006 where the vehicle goes into 'limp mode' following the tb failure. In essence, my daughter was merging not the highway and suddenly lost power to the vehicle. She was able to exit to the shoulder and the vehicle would drive in slow speed but not normal. I had the vehicle repaired at the dealer and have the receipt. However, Ford excluded the Hybrid from its consumer satisfaction program 13n03. As my receipt shows, the tb part number is the same as those on the covered vehicles as is the diagnosis and fix (replace the throttle body). I've contacted Ford for coverage of the repair iaw the csp 13n03 but their stance has been that my vehicle was not included in the program. …
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 34 / 31 / 32 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 29 / 27 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid a good car?
Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Escape Hybrid rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Escape Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the Escape Hybrid years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid?
The steering — 70 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › power steering fluid. Next are the brakes (32) and engine & cooling (26).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2008, 2021, 2022 and 2009. See the full Ford Escape Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.