YearToAvoid

2009 Ford Escape Engine Problems

NHTSA has 476 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Ford Escape, 28% of all 1,693 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest engine complaint count among 21 Escape model years. These complaints report 8 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 69,000 miles.

Engine complaints
476
28% of 1,693
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
69,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Ford Escape engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 10, 2008, latest May 16, 2026.

2009 Ford Escape engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter1322008 Q42011 Q42013 Q22014 Q42016 Q32018 Q32020 Q12023 Q3
476 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2013 Q3 (132).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Ford Escape

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Escape model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005353 (25%)
  2. 2006155 (33%)
  3. 200767 (26%)
  4. 2008273 (14%)
  5. 2009476 (28%)
  6. 2010891 (43%)
  7. 2011428 (33%)
  8. 2012128 (21%)
  9. 20131,468 (53%)
  10. 2014902 (43%)
  11. 2015278 (25%)
  12. 2016263 (23%)
  13. 20171,991 (74%)
  14. 20181,438 (80%)
  15. 2019386 (66%)
  16. 2020144 (9%)
  17. 202149 (14%)
  18. 202246 (20%)
  19. 202338 (39%)
  20. 202417 (22%)
  21. 202511 (46%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Ford Escape have engine problems?
NHTSA has 476 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Ford Escape, 28% of all complaints for this model year, including 8 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 69,000 miles.
Which Ford Escape year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Ford Escape has the most engine complaints (1,991), compared with 476 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Ford Escape?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Ford Escape is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.