Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,083 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #211

May 102016

Escape

  • 60,000 miles

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

Just driving normally and car stalls out--supposedly a failed throttle body.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #210

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 #209

Jul 012015

Escape

  • 131,000 miles
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. When the vehicle stalls, the only course of action is to turn off the ignition and turn it back on in hopes of resetting the trhottle body. This works but it cancels the error code. The driver is forced to employ this technique to continue their travel or faced with the option of waiting for Ford to come and scan for the code themselves. If this happens after normal work hours, this of course is not an option. The fact that this error code erases itself in an attempt to get the vehicle moving again is a catch 22 situation and one that Ford should correct. I was forced to purchase my own replacement throttle body since Ford would not replace it.

- Centertown, MO, USA

problem #208

Jun 162015

Escape

  • 82,000 miles

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

I was driving to work and going around a winding part of the road. I was coasting due to the multiple consecutive turns when my car shut off while going approximately 20 mph. Luckily traffic was light and I was able to shift into neutral and restart my car while coasting. Since this event it has happened approximately 30 times, always around low or idle speeds and more often after running longer. I purchased this car second hand in March of 2015. I have never had such a frustrating problem or unsafe feeling with or while driving a vehicle.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #207

Jun 172015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,180 miles
Lost power while driving in the middle lane on rt. 17 South near ramsey NJ. Engine was still on but RPM`S was very erratic. Wrench warning light came on the check engine light came on. Issues with electronic throttle noted on web sites for Ford Escape models. Updated 10/01/15

- Nutley, NJ, USA

problem #206

Jun 142015

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
Was accelerating from a stop and the engine stalled. This is the second time this has happened in the last 2 months. Throttle body had been replaced a couple of years ago, so concerned this is a different issue.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #205

May 062015

Escape

  • 71,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at low speed, the engine separated from the cradle causing damage to the front axle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic for inspection, which located the engine bolts failed due to defective material. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.

- Elkton , MD, USA

problem #204

Apr 082015

Escape

  • 86,000 miles
The check engine light came on; manual did not have cautionary information. Further upon checking, there was a technical service bulletin(tsb) issued by Ford #-09-13-83. Faulty premature failing parts on multiple Ford models including Ford Escape, Mercury mariner, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. What occurs is variable cam timing solenoids (2) fail causing the service engine light to go on. This could result in catastrophic engine failure as these parts control the timing of the motor. Ford acknowledges that there is a problem but is not issuing a re-call nor giving any compensation to customers requiring this repair. Based on discussions with various dealer maintenance departments and forum on the inter-net, this is a much more wide spread issue that Ford is willing to acknowledge.

- Chapin, SC, USA

problem #203

Mar 092015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 70,900 miles
I was driving home on a 6 lane highway yesterday after work. Posted speed limit 65 mph. My cruise control was set at 65, I was in a center lane when my vehicle made a loud clunk and the cruise control cut off and I started losing power to the car.the engine was on but pushing the gas pedal did nothing. I was trying to get out of traffic to the side of the highway with cars speeding and swerving all around me. I was petrified. I called the dealer and the car was taken for service today. They told me it was the throttle body and motor and it was on an extended warranty so I did not have to pay for it. The receipt clearly states this is recall notice 13N03. I have now read about this online and you guys are letting Ford call this a "customer service satisfaction program". well, you should know that someone is going to be killed. There is no excuse for not notifying customers of a default with a vehicle that endangers people. I never received a recall letter and I could of died yesterday.

- Ponte Vedra, FL, USA

problem #202

Feb 102015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Brake at a light or stop sign at least 3 times when 2009 Ford Escape XLT wanted to accelerate.

- Springville, NY, USA

problem #201

Jan 082015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 103,566 miles

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

My car will surge forward when I accelerate after a stop.

- Mount Gilead, OH, USA

problem #200

Jan 042015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 83,300 miles
Vehicles feels like its going to stall then accelerates. It has been recalibrated before but, two months later we are having the same problem. There is also a leak on the left side of the vehicle looks to be transmission oil. Also, we can no longer open the tail gate.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #199

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 #198

Jul 282013

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
As I was entering an exit ramp off I 20 eastbound the car lost all power. It happened again while merging at I75/85 in atlanta. Luckily I was in the left lane and was able to pull over and restart the car. Again it lost power. Never did it give an error code. Once again it lost power and this time it the error light. Took the 3rd time before a code was shown.

- Thomson, GA, USA

problem #197

Oct 182014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 71,500 miles
I was driving down the road at 45mph and went to accelerate and when I pressed the gas- the engine felt like it was off- I still had electrical power. I was not able to give the car any gas at all. I coasted until I could pull off the road and when I stopped- the car was idling very rough. The "throttle control/ powertrain" light had come on. I turned off the car and sat for about 5 minutes. When I turned it back on, it idled rough for about 3-4 seconds and the light was still on. Then it smoothed out and the light went off and I was able to drive it back to my house (about 1 mile).

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #196

Oct 032014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
September 10 2014, vehicle was serviced at henry curtis Ford in petaluma California for recall 14S05. Prior to this recall, we had no problems with our vehicle. October 3 2014, vehicle stalled at 65 mph driving on highway. My wife was driving up hill on the highway in the far right lane and was able to pull off the highway to the shoulder. Vehicle towed to repair shop, unable to find any error codes. Vehicle towed to henry curtis Ford dealership in petaluma California where the vehicle was purchased new in 2008. A $145 diagnostic was done and only one error code was reported by the dealer. Code B1239 ( air flow blend door driver circuit failure). Vehicle could be driven as there were no check engine lights on at that time. We picked up the vehicle from henry curtis Ford, and drove home. October 10 2014. RPM's shifting up and down while driving on the highway at 65mph. Had vehicle towed to repair shop in san francisco. Serviced and replaced parts for B1239 error. Mechanic test drove vehicle and now another error code displays code P2112. P2112 Ford - throttle actuator control system error. The mechanic is replacing the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM. I called the Ford dealership and was told my VIN is not covered under any recalls for P2112. When I asked about consumer satisfaction program 13N03, I was told my VIN is not included. We had no problems with the vehicle prior to bringing it in for the recall 14S05. Now after that service we are having several problems and I have read that other vehicle owners are also having the same P2112 error. Ford should include our vehicle in this problem and see if the other two incidents we have are related some how. Everyone I spoke to at Ford did not want to help, but continue to charge me more diagnostic charges and repair. Thankfully we have an honest mechanic that is helping us out.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #195

Oct 062014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 141,477 miles
Slowing to stop at stop light in line of traffic on 10/6/2014, light turned green, traffic moving, attempted to accelerate, found car unable to do so, looked at dash, some lights were on (remember battery light, check engine light and possible oil light), but as I was in traffic, I was in a bit of a panic, I put car in park and turned key. Car started up and was able to run normally. On 10/10/14 in traffic driving at 25 miles an hour slowing to adjust to traffic, as accelerator is pressed to maintain this speed and keep up with traffic, car does not accelerate as gas is pressed, look down at dash, lights are on, remember battery light, check engine light, another one, possible oil, I was able to steer car off road into parking lot. Stopped car, put in park restarted and again was able to run normally. **this same thing happened about a year ago, was slowly driving into the driveway at work, and the car just wouldn't go.... I stopped, put it in park and restarted it, and have not had this problem again until now. At that time, I had the battery checked and battery was fine. As I do not have the date or mileage I can not report it in boxes above but feel it is noteworthy.

- York New Salem, PA, USA

problem #194

Aug 132014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
Vehicle suddenly looses power and idles hard. Repeatedly over the past month when trying to accelerate from a stop vehicle will loose all engine power. The vehicle will still move forward as if it was in gear without your foot on the gas/brake. I was almost T-boned when trying to make a left turn in the middle of an intersection and when I went to accelerate suddenly I had no power. I have to turn the engine off then start the vehicle again and it will work just fine. The check engine light comes on once the vehicle looses power but once you turn the car off and turn it back on it is gone.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

problem #193

Sep 032014

Escape

  • 98,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The contact merged to an emergency lane where the vehicle was turn off and after restarting it resume normal function. Also, the contact noticed that when the accelerator pedal was depressed slowly, the vehicle would lunge forward. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact received a customer satisfaction program notification related to the failure that the vehicle was exhibiting. However, the dealer refused to provide the repairs listed since the failure code did not show during the diagnosis. Also, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and explained that they were not obligated to honor the campaign unless the codes were available during the diagnosis. The approximate failure mileage was 98,500.

- Sanford , FL, USA

problem #192

Jul 312014

Escape

  • 47,000 miles
On July 31st, my car was at a stop light, a minute after I pressed on the gas pedal, my car stalled (a light wrench on the dashboard appeared) -it would move maybe 1 mph but I was unable to accelerate on the gas pedal. After a moment, the vehicle was shaking...I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on, everything was fine, the light wrench disappeared. After 45 minutes later, on the road, the same thing happened again and I had to move to the shoulder to prevent any accidents from happening. Made an appointment with carmax less than a week later (because that is where I purchased the car, had it for a year). I was advised to come back if the same incident occurred because nothing happened since July 31st and they didn't want me to waste my money if they did not see anything. Since that appointment, the same incident happened numerous times during the week of August 3rd-9th. On Aug 16th, the wrench light appeared along with the engine light, went to my local mechanic and he mentioned that the throttle body needed to be replaced. It was confirmed today (Aug. 18th) when I went to an unscheduled appointment at carmax (even on my way there, the lights came back on) that the throttle body needed to be replaced.

- Severn, MD, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?