2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has a complaint index of 79, ranking 4th worst of 15 model years, with an Avoid verdict. Steering complaints dominate at 46% of the 153 total, followed by engine (24%) and brakes (22%) issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #4 of 15 Escape Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 153
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 31.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering70 (46%)
- Engine36 (24%)
- Brakes33 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (10%)
- Electrical System12 (8%)
- Fuel System9 (6%)
- Other5 (3%)
- HVAC2 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (1%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can become extremely hard to turn at low speed, sometimes causing a parking-lot crash.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle despite warning lights, with owners describing near-misses or wall impacts.
- ABS-related smoking or a failed hydraulic control unit has been reported at highway speed.
- Electrical fires have started while vehicles were parked or driving, in one case destroying the front of the car.
- Sudden acceleration surges when shifting out of reverse have been reported, leading to loss of braking control.
- Transmission has reportedly dropped into limp mode on the highway, cutting off acceleration.
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 31.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints, the 2009 model has a complaint index of 79 and ranks 4th worst out of 15 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Escape Hybrid years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 70 of 153 complaints (46%), with a median failure mileage of 90,000 miles across all reported issues.
- Does the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid.
- Which Ford Escape Hybrid years are worse than 2009?
- The 2008 model year is worse, with a complaint index of 93 and an Avoid verdict, compared to the 2009 model's index of 79.
- Which Ford Escape Hybrid years should I consider instead?
- The 2012 and 2013 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 21 and 7 respectively, far lower than the 2009 model's 79.