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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

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2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #251

Dec 182023

Escape

  • miles

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

The engine turn off while driving on the freway, was the most scary thing for me and my kids, I have a mechanic check teh vehicle but I couldn't find anyhting, the battery and oil ligth come on the dash board, I had to pull over adn turn teh emergency light and pull over

- Richmond , CA, USA

problem #250

Sep 272023

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle will stop running instantaneously. car will restart after several seconds. No engine warning light so there are no codes to read. The frequency had increased from every few days, but now happens every time you drive.

- Colfax, CA, USA

problem #249

Dec 092022

Escape

  • miles
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. This was caused by the oil leak that could never get fixed because the gasket would always give way. After having to work for 4 months scraping together $3,200 plus paying for a rental car weekly, the motor was replaced and it was working well again. Until it wasn-??t. The power steering is controlled by an electric pump which makes you more prone to getting into an accident. My power steering locks up every time I start the car. It did this before the motor was replaced but now it-??s even worse since the motor was replaced. I have to turn my car on and off about 15 times before my steering wheel unlocks and I can move it normally. It takes my whole strength to turn the wheel when it locks up. I haven-??t been to a ford dealership yet but I do plan on going to get them to check it out since a lot of 2008-2012 Ford Escapes have recalls on the power steering sensor. Long story short. This car has had to have so many repairs for things that normally don-??t need repairs every 2 weeks and I want it to get looked into because I-??ve never ever had car cost so much in repairs for things that shouldn-??t be breaking so fast and easily. I have all the repair paper receipts.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #248

Dec 172022

Escape

  • 107,573 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 while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and the smoking ceased. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a spring inside the piston was fractured and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 107,573. The VIN was not available.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #247

Jan 012022

Escape

  • miles
Escape bogs down in 1st gear and barely goes. I have almost been hit multiple times because of this. No engine lights are on.

- Andalusia, AL, USA

problem #246

Nov 112020

Escape

  • 133,000 miles
While driving my 2009 Ford Escape it began to slow down. I pressed the accelerator even more, but the car came to a complete halt and the lights on the dashboard all turned on. I braked, place it to parking and turned the engine off. I restart the car and was able to drive away. This has occurred 4 times already in the past 2 months. Each time this has occurred, I've been driving less than 40 mph. I've taken the car to the shop to get scanned and nothing has been detected.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #245

Jan 132020

Escape

  • 48,173 miles

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

ABS system failed brake pedal went floor. $2200 to replace. 48172 miles. 43540 miles ft car lurched at stop. Replaced purge valve$388. Axle seal leak. 38807 miles. $410. Transmission went out at 16271 miles. Rebuild trans $3148 miles covered under extended warranty.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #244

Jan 042020

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 mph, the power steering functionality became inoperable. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to operate the vehicle in manual steering mode. The contact stated that the vehicle also overheated. The contact stated that as instructed by the owners manual, the vehicle was turned off and allowed to sit to have the engine temperature return to normal operational temperatures. The contact stated that after the vehicle sat for approximately two hours, the vehicle was towed to the residence. Lithia Ford Lincoln of fresno (195 E auto center dr, fresno, ca 93710, (559) 435-8400) was contacted and appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle diagnosed which was still pending. The contact was concerned that the failure was due to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #243

Aug 082019

Escape

  • miles
When I was headed to drop my daughter off I was driving down a street that has speed bumps which I usually don't have any problems. Until this morning (08/08/2019) when my power steering kicked off and I had to physically turn my wheel. I saw the their was a recall for 2009 Ford Escapes and I was wondering if mine was one of them.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #242

Jul 232019

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
When your driving ass "go power" is lost and a wrench light illuminates in the lower left corrner. It does not matter where im driving but it just decides to do it when it wants to. Has happened 3 times in the past month or so its happend when I was going 10mphs and 30 mphs and about 45mph...super super scary luckly no one was behind me all times... last time this happend was on 7/23/2019

- Baraboo, WI, USA

problem #241

Jul 092019

Escape

  • 42,460 miles

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

On July 9, 2019 I was exiting the expressway and my vehicle began stalling at which time the odometer went down from 50 down to 0 immediately causing me to pull over to the side. Thank god I was already in the processing of exiting. No warning lights on the dashboard at all. I turned the car off, and then turned it back on. I took my car to Firestone who was unable to perform a diagnostic at the time, and suggested that I bring it back. This is very dangerous and of great concern. This vehicle has only 42,460 miles or so on it, and I don't feel that I should be encountering this problem. I have had it since 2010 and at the time purchased at 18,000 miles or so. I drive my vehicle locally only. I have read that this a problem with Ford Escapes, and I believe that this issue should be listed as a recall. Please help!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #240

Jan 022017

Escape

  • 143,000 miles
There has been multiple issues with this Ford Escape XLT. The ABS light continues to come on. The wheel of the car locks when you try too turn when driving wheel. It is very dangerous. The sensors even though we replaced them keep blowing which causing the truck to decline in speed while driving in traffic. We had to turn it onto to the grass to avoid accidents. Constant engine issues after we had it fixed multiple times. We are in a financial negative because of this truck. The tire sensors keep going also. These issues are happening after we have gotten this truck fixed multiple times and more dangerously while we are driving it. The brakes, steering wheel, transmission an the engine are all faulty. We have put thousands of dollars into the this vehicle. This is our transportation to work and we are behind with the notes. Even when the vehicle is stationary there is a grinding, almost like the wheels want to fall off. We need this fixed we need help!!!!!

- Lititz, PA, USA

problem #239

Mar 072019

Escape

  • 135,000 miles
While driving on streets and highway, engine will stall out, complete shutoff, with no warning signs or lights. The computer is not storing any codes indicating faults. After a stall, can put the car back in park or neutral and restart. Most commonly occurs when transitioning from braking to acceleration.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #238

Jan 032019

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
I noticed the transmission started to slip and I added fluid once. Then it happened again and I noticed transmission fluid inside the engine bay like it has been spraying. I done some research and found this vehicle to have a transmission cooler leak and others had it fixed under recall for 2008. This is a issue with this model vehicle.

- La Plata, MD, USA

problem #237

Dec 122018

Escape

  • 105,000 miles
The wrench light on the dash comes on and the car will suddenly stall while I am driving it. It just shuts down without warning--no engine problems apparent, like sputtering or any other warning sign. It is scary, as I have almost been rear-ended twice. I put it in neutral and start it, and it starts again without a problem, but it is very dangerous. I have not had the issue resolved by a mechanic.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #236

Jan 012018

Escape

  • 117,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. While driving 65 mph, an alarm sounded and the steering wheel seized. The contact pulled the vehicle over to a parking lot to attempt to restart the ignition, but the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to asheville Ford Lincoln (611 brevard rd, asheville, nc 28806) where the power steering module was replaced. The manufacturer was also contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,500.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #235

Sep 162018

Escape

  • 72,000 miles
Happened three times in 20 minutes on 08/16/2018: Vehicle was in motion each time, suddenly and without warning engine stopped, all warning lights lit up on dashboard and lost complete control of steering, speed control. Wheels locked up and almost caused multiple accidents. Had to pull over and turn on vehicle again.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #234

Sep 072018

Escape

  • 153,000 miles
2009 Ford Escape, 3.0L XLT. Vehicle engine power lost and the vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the highway, on Sept 7, 2018. A red wrench light flashed on the dash during the event. Was able to avoid traffic, park on the shoulder, restart the vehicle, and drive at normal speed to the nearest exit. This same power loss has occurred at normal driving speed two more times after the highway event. There are no engine codes found after diagnostic check by local auto repair shop. The vehicle is no longer being driven on highways. This Escape was diagnosed by Ford dealer in 2017 for customer satisfaction program 13N03 regarding throttle body failures. The dealership found no issues with the throttle body at that time.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #233

Sep 052018

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
Vehicle stalls/shuts off randomly while in motion driving. This has happened several times while on side streets and on the highway. Recently happened twice within 30 minutes. Extremely dangerous.

- Holbrook, MA, USA

problem #232

Aug 052018

Escape

  • 134,000 miles
Engine turns off when driving. This happens at different speeds in varying conditions; ie. Driving slow, driving fast, on the highway on side streets.

- Jackson, WY, USA

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