Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Subject vehicle is a 2009 Ford Escape with 74,123 miles. Driving the vehicle the lower control arm separated from the front frame otherwise known as the engine cradle or subframe. The failure is identical to the subframe failures on the 2001 - 2004 Ford Escapes currently under recall. The failure was immediate with no prior warning. The vehicle exhibited loss of steering control, wheel lock up from the front tire contacting the back of the wheel opening, and loss of transmission engagement from cv joint separation. In my opinion, whatever PCA actions or quality root cause was identified by Ford Motor Company during the prior recall investigation isolating the condition to 2001 - 2004 Escapes was either incomplete or inaccurate. This is supported by the same failure occurring in Escapes outside of that model year window. …
First steering column locked with less then 65,000 miles . Now power train wrench light warning popped on less then 80,000 miles . Throttle body issue forcing car into limp mode leaving driver in danger on the road
I have had to spend over $5,000 in repairs for this vehicle and I've had it for over a year. It was listed at $6,999 at a used car dealership so I got it as is and have had issues ever since. There is no recall on my car according to the VIN# however I strongly disagree with that. When I first got it, it drove great for a week and then the problems started to arise. Every time I came to a complete stop the car would turn off completely. So I would have to put it in park and turn the key off then restart it and keep it moving a little. This kept going on for 11 months, until it turned off at a stop light and I couldn't get it to start back up. I was almost hit by traffic coming up behind me (going no less than 45 mph) because of where the car was located. Turns out the motor basically combusted from the inside out. …
On August 16 I was driving into work on the highway when all of a sudden my Ford Escape lost gas pedal responsiveness and the power train warning light came on. I coasted to the side of the road and stopped. Restarted and everything was OK. Took it into my mechanic the next day and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. Over the next week the same issue happened 5 more times in random places while driving. Each of these times it would make a sudden shake and then the engine light would come on, gas pedal won't work till I stopped and restarted the engine. I was unable to take it back to my mechanic till the end of the following week and was hoping I could survive till then but on August 27 while I was turning left in a busy intersection it happened again. The person behind me rear ended me causing major damage to their car and minor damage to mine. …
Vehicle stalled and went into "limp-home" mode after accelerating from a stopped condition.("limp-home" mode is a mode programmed by Ford engineers to only allow the vehicle to move forward under limited power, generally only 1-2 MPH.) I later found out that this was due to a faulty electronic throttle body. The vehicle then stalled an additional two times about two weeks apart from the first incident. I was able to use my own OBD ii code scanner to detect the error code p2111. I found out that this component was determined to be faulty and Ford motor corporation issued an extended warranty coverage for this component. However, Ford will only replace this part if they are able to document the error code themselves on their code scanner. The problem lies in the design of this vehicle in that it won't store this particular code. …
Tl contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact was towing the vehicle with his 2009 fleetwood bounder 35 ft. Triton v10 engine with a Ford chassis. While driving 55 MPH the transmission in his Ford escaped caught fire. He stated that he followed the instructions in the users manual which indicated to place the vehicle in neutral, the key in the acc position and turn the vehicle on for five minutes before he began towing a vehicle. The tow bar was installed on the vehicle and the rv. He observed smoke in between the rv and the Ford Escape. The contact had to drive two miles before he could pull over. When he inspected the vehicles, he observed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the Ford Escape. He called the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. …
My 2009 Ford Escape has difficulty getting enough momentum to accelerate on the highway, this is a daily struggle. Yesterday I was trying to pass an 18-wheeler as it was drifting into my lane; as I eagerly pressed on the gas my car jumped and continued to coast at the same speed. Earlier this month, I had to decelerate from 40 MPH to a fairly abrupt stop and my car was unable to. I just had my brake pads replaced so I knew that wasn't the problem, my car jolted a total of 7 times before coming to a complete stop. I almost crashed into the car in front of me. Every time I drive my car it sounds like its going to fall apart, the rattling coming from the suspension is constant. I get my Ford Escape checked up every month, because of all the problems I have. This car is a hazard to my safety, and I do not feel comfortable driving in this rolling plastic death trap. …
Driving to work this morning at 70 MPH in the far left lane, car again suddenly loses power, slows way down, no response when pushing on gas pedal and the wrench light was on again. Turned on hazards and had to cross 4 lanes of heavy morning commuting traffic to get off the freeway. As I stopped the car, again it acted like it was going to stall out. Put the car in park and turned off the motor. Turned the car back on, which didn't fire up as usual, but it did restart. Put the car in drive and drove to work without incident. I am scared to drive this car anymore! People on the freeway were not willing to slow down to let me over, the kept flying around me. I called two dealerships and explained what was happening and both said they would have to charge me to diagnose the problem regardless of the reported throttle body issues. …
Transmission complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 301 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Ford Escape, 18% of the model year's 1,693 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Ford Escape transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2009 Ford Escape, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.