Most common 2009 Ford Escape problems
Share of the 1,693 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape complaints by model year
Best Escape years: 2025, 2012, 2023. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →
2009 Ford Escape recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2009 Ford Escape:
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan 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 owners say
Steering all 828 →
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) in 2014. The contact stated that several years later while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a malfunctioning power steering control module that was needing replacement. The contact stated that the independent mechanic reprogrammed the power steering module which temporarily repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure returned, and the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a malfunctioning power steering control module. …
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated that the steering wheel had started to jerk to the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and shifted to park and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times however, the power steering failed to return to full functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but eventually the power steering had completely failed. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced, additionally code B1342-2F PSCM internal fault had been displayed on the dealer diagnostic code reader. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 301 →
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the power train warning light illuminated randomly but disappeared. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the steering wheel became stiff and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Subject vehicle was a 2009 Ford Escape with 74,123 miles. Driving the vehicle the front passenger lower control arm separated from the k-frame/cradle causing the vehicle to lose control. Loss of steering was experienced as well as tire lock up from the front tire lodging against the back of the fender. The CV shaft also separated during the failure resulting in loss of transmission engagement. There was no warning prior to the event, the failure was sudden and immediate. The loss of vehicle control was extreme. Failure is identical to RCRIT-14V165-9596 for the 01-04 Escapes. The reason the recall was only isolated to the 01-04 Escapes is unknown. In my opinion, whatever PCA actions or supplier related issues identified by Ford Motor Company during the prior recall investigation to support the recall only affecting 01-04 model years was either incomplete or inaccurate. …
Engine & cooling all 289 →
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and the smoking ceased. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a spring inside the piston was fractured and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 107,573. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was caused by the EGR valve. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 129,082.
2009 Ford Escape 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 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford Escape a good car?
Based on 1,693 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Escape rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Escape at the same age. It is one of the Escape 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?
The steering — 828 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about column. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (301) and engine & cooling (289).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape have?
There is 1 recall for the 2009 Ford Escape, the most recent from May 29, 2014 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Ford Escape years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Escape problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 19% 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.