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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,332 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Ford Escape electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #78

Dec 092016

Escape 4-cyl

  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

14S05. I was driving the 2009 Ford Escape on the highway at approx. 70mph. The steering will stopped controlling the vehicle correctly and then the steering went completely out. I almost crashed, pulled onto the shoulder of the highway, gathered myself, cut on the hazard lights and cut the auto off. After a minute, I started the auto up again and moved forward to see if the problem still existed. The power steering was back in but it was very very loose. When I got it home I informed my mother that it needed to be looked at. She called the Ford hotline and they told her that the recall on her vehicle was closed but if the steering went out, that it was covered by the recall. She took it to the dealer that Ford told her too and they said they would repair it. She left the vehicle over night to be fixed but the next day they told her that it wasn't a recall and that she had to pay $89 for the diagnostic test that she didn't know she had to pay. They still refuse to help in any kind of way at all. My mother is in her mid 70's with a fixed income. It's impossible for her to come up with $2000. Https://www.facebook.com/fordwonthonorrecall14S05/

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #77

Aug 162015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
Takata recall I was driving in the far left lane of the freeway on my way to work and my car shut off, sometimes my cars does not start. I have had alternator, starter tested, and they are good, my camshaft sensor replaced, ignition switch replaced, spark plugs replaced, I keep a good handle on maintenance up, but my car shutting off while I am driving and sometimes don't turn on at all is keep happening, my steering wheel locks up, very hard to turn, all components in my car don't come on, gears light pops on and off, dashboard light sometime flickers. I have had my back lights. And it continues to happen.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #76

Sep 032016

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 11/29/16

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #75

Oct 012015

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 169,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering sensor and steering column had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the onboard diagnostic warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The dealer stated that the mass air index was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. In addition, the maintenance warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was repaired, but the ABS, low tire pressure, traction control, and parking warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 169,000. Updated 10/18/16

- Supply, NC, USA

problem #74

Jul 162016

Escape

  • 113,000 miles
My 2009 Ford Escape, stalls with out any warning, the engine still runs but there is no control over the engine RPM. This has happened several times, while traveling on state hwy and county roads. Each time you could gain control, by shutting engine off and restarting. Since this is the family car it has been parked. It is unsafe to drive if stalls on busy city street or major freeway.

- Lexington, TN, USA

problem #73

May 052016

Escape

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #72

Mar 022016

Escape

  • 152,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Having problems starting vehicle. Must push key in very hard, so much so that your hand will hurt, in order for it to start. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it won't. has left my family stranded on more than one occasion. Acts like you can't push in key in far enough to make it start. Sitting under my carport now, unable to start and unable to pay the $500 plus repair cost. Not very happy right now!

- Okemah, OK, USA

problem #71

Jan 152016

Escape

  • 246,000 miles
2009 Ford Escape 3.0 246,000 miles, have had all recall items replaced. Problems with starter continuously engaged, spark and melt positive wire. Replaced starter, tumbler and ignition module. 5 months later same event occurred. Starter continuously engaged, smoke and sparks from replaced starter. Mechanic replaced starter, starter solenoid and ignition module located directly behind ignition tumbler. Still having same issue with starter running continuously, mechanic suspects possible wiring harness compromised from previous high voltage drain damage. Replacement of wiring harness may be the only option to correct issue.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #70

Nov 182015

Escape

  • miles
My Ford Escape electronic power steering has been acting erratically. It seems to work fine sometimes, but then turns off at other times. This makes it extremely hard to turn the vehicle.

- The Dalles, OR, USA

problem #69

Sep 182015

Escape

  • miles
My Ford Escape has a leak somewhere in the roof. The water comes in down the a&B posts and onto the floor. While traveling down the a&B posts it flows over several wires and air bag components, also on the a post side it flows around and possibly into the fuze panel. The floor of my vehicle is always soaked and everytime it rains it becomes re-soaked. I have looked online and it appears several thousand Escapes have similar problems.

- Otis, MA, USA

problem #68

Jul 152015

Escape

  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 20 mph and making a right turn, there was an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The traction control, ABS, air bag, and eas warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The clock spring was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Dillwyn, VA, USA

problem #67

Aug 142015

Escape

  • 161,500 miles
Probleme come in the morning after a small run to corner store. 2 monts before fore update de trottle software. For the recal.

- Brossard, AL, USA

problem #66

Jun 072015

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
Rear hatch door mechanism failing to open rear hatch.

- Springtown , TX, USA

problem #65

Dec 282014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
On December 28,2014 I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy main street when my power steering suddenly went out almost causing an accident. I took it into my mechanic the next day and was told it was my battery, which was replaced. On March 25, 2015 I was turning onto a side street when the power steering went out again. This time my alternator was replaced. I am suspicious that everytime something electrical goes, the power steering goes out. I am not convinced the battery or the alternator were defective now. There is a recall for this issue, but my VIN says mine is not recalled.

- Dewitt, MI, USA

problem #64

Jan 112015

Escape 4-cyl

  • miles
Driving about 50mph when the car just stop accelerating. Engine still running but no ability to move. A red wrench starts flashing when this happens.

- Williston, FL, USA

problem #63

Dec 232014

Escape

  • 47,762 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,762.

- Salcito, CA, USA

problem #62

Dec 132014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 62,040 miles
Making a turn, my car jerked and could not accelerate. We had to cruise to our destination which was close thank god. I called Ford and they told me to bring it in. I told them I was unsure if it was drivable. He then told me he couldn't tell me what it was til I brought it in. Then told me I could take it in today but won't get checked til Monday. He got my name and number. We went to various auto places for opinions and solutions. We thought we figured it out but a few hours later it did it again. My husband went back to pep boys but was told they could not run diagnostics because the light was not on. I was looking online and noticed a compliant was made about this issue and went to the Ford website and saw it under the recall under my VIN. My husband called the dealership and talked to a manger asking why I was never notified. He explained its not really a recall but had an extended warranty if it meets the criteria. We explained that the first man never mentioned anything nor did he bother to look up my information to see if I had the recall. The manager apologized and said for me to take it in Monday and he would handle my situation. I'm appalled that I was not notified. This is very dangerous, especially because I have my 2 year old daughter in the car with me most of the time. God forbid my car would have stalled on the highway and I would have caused an accident because my car lost power all of a sudden. I never got any notification from Ford about the recall nor the warranty. I think this is very inconsiderate as people's lives are at stake. I pray that no accidents, injuries or deaths occurred because of Ford's negligence. My vehicle fits the warranty criteria so I hope I won't be charged for repairs. I hope the manager keeps his word. The only money I have is for christmas. If I have to pay for repairs, I can't buy gifts for my family or my daughter.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #61

Oct 162014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
After beginning acceleration from a stop light, my vehicle began to sputter and stalled out even though it was moving. I had to put it in park, turn the ignition off, and then turn it on in the middle of traffic. The gas tank was 3/4 full and the battery is only a year old.

- Sumter , SC, USA

problem #60

Jan 022014

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
We driving at highway speed when all electric components went out. We could not steer. Fortunately it was a straight road and no nearby traffic. We stopped the car and restarted and it worked. We were petrified! a later incident the wipers would only work on high speed. They returned to normal after restarting the car.

- Milford, DE, USA

problem #59

Oct 132014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
I have the 2009 Ford Escape, I noticed about a month ago that the only way I could start the car was to push the key in really hard. At first, it would start after one hard push but gradually it got worse. It got to the point to where I would have to push harder and harder to get it started. Now after returning from the authorized Ford service department to fix a recall electrical issue it seems to be worse, it doesn't start on the first try and then you have to push hard and upwards and it can take 5 or more times to get it to start.. I switched to my spare key, thinking the original might be worn. It did start easier the first few times but now it's back to almost not starting at all, and takes a few tries, again you have to have the key just right or push just exactly for it to start. It has taken up to 15 minutes to get it right sometimes. When the car does start there is a burning electrical smell that is emitted from the vents. I'm worried each time I shut it off that it might not start again, leaving me stranded somewhere. Really? my Ford Escape is only 5 years old, this should not be happening! I have read many other owners having the same issue, this should be a recall as well.

- Kailua Kona, HI, USA

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