2009 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (789) · Vehicle Speed Control (273) · Power Train (199)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,414 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
Defect: 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 vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-866-984-6536.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2014-05-29 · campaign 14V284000 · 740,878 vehicles
Defect: 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. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall
Equipment 2010-09-03 · campaign 10E043000 · 294 vehicles
Defect: 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 ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
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.
Service bulletins (45)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Structure 2023-04-04 · SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2000-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. it is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (vin) from a different vehicle. most modules on these affe
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Showing the 6 most recent of 45 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-22 · Steering:steering Wheel /Handle Bar:yaw/Angle Sensor · 135,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. the failure was a persistent failure. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed bar-yaw angle s…”
2026-08-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System“a quien corresponda por medio de la presente me pongo en contacto con ustedes por motivo de falla mecánica en mi auto móvil ford escape 2009 ya que hace aproximadamente dos meses atrás al llenar el tanque de gasolina me percaté que el interior olía a combustible y al revisarlo noté que se tiraba por debajo del vehículo lo cual me llevó a investiga…”
2026-06-23 · Steering“hi! i [xxx] [xxx] my vehicle streeing wheel struck or lock when the vehicle slow down or stopped. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-05-20 · Steering · 188,136 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. in addition, the power steering failure warning light illuminated. the dealer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the m…”
2026-05-16 · Unknown Or Other“on several occasions my 2009 ford escape xlt completely died as i was driving 1. on the highway at 60mph i had to pull over and restart vehicle. 2. going through town at 30mph i had to put in neutral to restart as i was moving uphill. 3. as i was at a stop light, again putting in neutral was necessary to restart as vehicle would not move until rest…”
2026-05-03 · Suspension · 💥 crash“i was driving down the road about 35 mph and it jerked me clean off the right side of the road. here the driver side and passenger side subframe/engine cratle is completely rotted out bad . this needs fixed before someone dies.…”
2026-04-20 · Steering · 148,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and only manual steering was available. the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. when the vehicle was purchased, the contact was informed that t…”
2026-03-24 · Steering“steering sensor failed as documented in ford fixing the steering torque from a recall on b2778:ef. the steering would not turn and happened while driving near airport dr and garrison in carthage, mo. there was traffic and could barely get the suv to turn at all. almost hit another car in a 35 mph zone when it happened. there was no warning or ligh…”
2026-03-10 · Steering · 67,092 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. no warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that the failure occurred while making a left turn, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. the vehicle was driven to the resid…”
2026-03-10 · Structure · 184,500 mi“the contact owns a 2009 ford escape. the contact stated that there was severe rusting and rot on the frame rail. the dealer was not notified of the failure. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 184,500…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.