2009 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#6 most-complained of 21 Escape years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Ford Escape has 1,693 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 75 out of 100 — #6 highest of 21 Escape model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is steering (828 complaints, 49% of the total). Complaints report 34 crashes, 2 fires, and 17 injuries.
- Complaints
- 1,693
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 34 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 26 hwy
Top 2009 Ford Escape problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering828 (49%)
- Engine476 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain301 (18%)
- Fuel System203 (12%)
- Electrical System145 (9%)
- Brakes130 (8%)
- Other58 (3%)
- Structure & Body34 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (2%)
- Airbags14 (1%)
2009 Ford Escape recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V284000May 29, 2014Steering740,878 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.
2009 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Ford Escape a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Ford Escape ranks #6 of 21 among Escape model years (Complaint Index 75/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 1,693 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Escape?
- The most reported problem areas are steering (828 complaints), engine (476 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (301 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 90,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Ford Escape, most recently reported 2014, covering steering.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Ford Escape?
- EPA rates the 2009 Ford Escape at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.