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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-FORD-ESCAPENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2009 Ford Escape problems
The 2009 Ford Escape has 1,691 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns.
The 2009 Ford Escape has 1,691 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 826 complaints, typically surfacing around 122,975 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Escape?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Brakes: 83 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 78,500–133,000 mi
Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Ford Escape? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 826 owner reports
· tends to show around 122,975 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 247 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,161 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 157 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,962 mi · ~$600 to fix
engine — 105 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,351 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 104,474 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
Power steering stopped working while driving on a city street and then power steering came back. When I shut off the vehicle and restarted it, the power steering is still not working. I have not driven the car since because of safety concerns. I was told by Ford that my escape…
Purchased the vehicle in january 2017. Approximately mid december 2018 a code popped up on my dash "power steering assist fault" and the steering wheel shakes as I drive. I code is continuously on. I contacted Ford, who tell me there was a recall on the 2009 Ford escape in 2016…
The front sub frame rusted out on the passenger side. The is a 1inch by 5 inch hole in the sub frame. The lower control arm could have come off and the whole spindle and tire could have come off the vehicle while driving. Haggerty Ford iin West Chicago, Il noticed the large…
Had a problem with your 2009 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Marathon is recalling certain seat covers, brand superhides with part numbers 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, and 630, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles
An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
Fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on september 14, 2010. Owners may contact marathon at 1-800-735-2769.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Ford Escape reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 1,691 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Ford Escape?
The 2009 Ford Escape is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 83 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 78,500–133,000 mi; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Ford Escape?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 826 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 122,975 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,691 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 122,975 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Ford Escape?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 826 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 122,975 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 122,975 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Ford Escape?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,691 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/Escape.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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