2009 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls

2009 Ford Escape recalls (1)

• Recall 14V284000May 29, 2014740,878 vehicles
  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. 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.

  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. 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 is 14S05.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP15001Opened Apr 1, 2015Closed Jun 14, 2018

  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). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering i…

• PE13003Opened Feb 21, 2013Closed Feb 28, 2014

  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. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting …

• DP12006Opened Oct 2, 2012Closed Feb 21, 2013

  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. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in…

Recent 2009 Ford Escape complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 22, 2026135,000 miILSteering

   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 sensor. The contact was informed that the bar-yaw angle sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and…

   NHTSA complaint #11766179 · source
2. Filed Aug 13, 2026ILFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 investigar posible causa encontrando que en ese modelo es falla del fabricante solicitando sea reparado para evitar posible incendio del…

   NHTSA complaint #11756827 · source
3. Filed Jun 23, 2026NYSteering

   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)

   NHTSA complaint #11745927 · source
4. Filed May 20, 2026188,136 miGASteering

   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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that ten years ago, an unknown recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11739090 · source
5. Filed May 16, 2026WAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   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 restarted. I have not had it inspected by anyone yet as I have not had the funds to pay mechanic for service inspection. This was…

   NHTSA complaint #11738281 · source
6. Filed May 3, 2026OHCrashTowedEngineSteeringSuspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11735376 · source
7. Filed Apr 20, 2026148,000 miALSteering

   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 the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); and was already repaired under the recall. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11732344 · source
8. Filed Mar 24, 2026MOSteering

   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 lights on dashboard at all. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may…

   NHTSA complaint #11726657 · source

Compare the 2009 Ford Escape with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology