Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
My 2009 Escape Hybrid had the same throttle body failure as shown in pe13003 and dp12006. I was driving on busy street on way to airport when wrench light and engine light came on and car lost power to accelerate which was scary to say the least! I managed to drive (or rather limp) to side street to prevent being hit and tried turning engine on and off. Wrench light went off but engine light remained on and drove car to Ford dealer in limp mode. I was advised by them that my car went into limp mode to prevent any further damage to engine. I let them know I have extended warranty(premium ESP) that was good up to 109,913 miles /aug. 2017 and currently had 108,287miles. The throttle is covered under this warranty however I was told the throttle did not need replacing. …
While driving, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid slowed suddenly and while I still had power, I was unable to accelerate. I was on a busy road and there was nothing I could do to get my vehicle to "go". The "service engine soon" light came on and we were able to enter a neighborhood and pull over. We turned off the car and looked through the manual but couldn't find anything. The car started up again and seemed to drive normal but with the "check engine light" illuminated. The dealership said the electronic throttle needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, it appears to be a common issue and while they refused to issue a recall, Ford has issued a "customer satisfaction program" to extend the warranty on that particular part - with the exception of the Hybrid model. …
On wed, jun 3, 2015 - I was driving, engine cut out and would not let me go over 35-40, wrench light came on, I pulled over, stopped, turned ignition off, waited a minute, turned back on, wrench light stayed out. On fri, jun 5, 2015 - I called the local Ford dealer for an appointment, got one for mon, June 8, 2015. As I started driving, the same thing happened except after I started the car and began driving again the wrench light came on and the service engine light came on. I had the car towed to the dealer. Mon, jun 8, 2015 - was called and informed the throttle body needed to be replaced, and that it is not covered under the consumer satisfaction program 13n03. Was told it only applies to gas models not hybrids. I will be contacting Ford to file a formal complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled when being driven for an extended amount of time. The failure occurred several times. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Jack madden Ford (825 boston-providence turnpike, norwood, ma 02062, [phone]) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 18072344f8w3r8. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the stop safely now warning indicator illuminated. After two minutes, the vehicle restarted normally. The contact also stated that the failure occurred approximately six times in four months. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
"throttle body recall" issue, but for some reason I'm not covered car stalled, then restarted, then went into limp mode 2 miles later. Then on aug 4, 2016 throttle body completely failed and I limped back to dealership (fugate Ford) where it is awaiting repairs but I am told my VIN isn't on throttle body recall code 2112 Ford notice 13n03
NHTSA investigations
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.
Engine complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, 17% of the model year's 153 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.