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2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

143 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

24 reports
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129,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BEING DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. JACK MADDEN FORD (825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781) 762-4200) WAS CONTACTED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BEING DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. JACK MADDEN FORD (825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781) 762-4200) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 18072344F8W3R8. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ODI #11231339

80,000 miles · Jun 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFire

OUR 2009 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND IT TOOK TWO FIREMEN TO PUT IT OUT. THE ENTIRE FRONT WAS DESTROYED. EVEN THE DASH BOARD WAS MELTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL TRIGGER, BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINIY AS TO WHAT CAUSE THIS FIRE, WHICH HAD FLAMES NEARLY 10…

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OUR 2009 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND IT TOOK TWO FIREMEN TO PUT IT OUT. THE ENTIRE FRONT WAS DESTROYED. EVEN THE DASH BOARD WAS MELTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL TRIGGER, BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINIY AS TO WHAT CAUSE THIS FIRE, WHICH HAD FLAMES NEARLY 10 FEET HIGH. MY SON WAS SITTING IN THE CAR TALIKING ON THE PHONE. HE CAME RUNNING IN SAYNG THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CAR AND WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW IT HAD ALREADY STARTED TO CATCH FIRE. SMOKE AND CATCH FIRE. I AM THANKFUL HE WAS NOT INJURED AND THAT MY HOUSE -A CEDAR SIDED HOME- DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11217258

87,201 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Engine

THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT AFTER REPETITIVE WRENCH LIGHT, LIMP MODE, AND ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER STATED OURS WAS NOT TO HAVE RECALL, BUT ACTIVE WARRANTY EXTENSION SHOWS OTHER 2.5L VEHICLES UNDER 150,000 MILES AND WITHIN THE 10 YEARS OF THE MODEL. LOOKING UP THE PART THEY ARE THE SAME PART NUMBERS BEING REPLACED NON HYBRIDS. THIS …

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THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT AFTER REPETITIVE WRENCH LIGHT, LIMP MODE, AND ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER STATED OURS WAS NOT TO HAVE RECALL, BUT ACTIVE WARRANTY EXTENSION SHOWS OTHER 2.5L VEHICLES UNDER 150,000 MILES AND WITHIN THE 10 YEARS OF THE MODEL. LOOKING UP THE PART THEY ARE THE SAME PART NUMBERS BEING REPLACED NON HYBRIDS. THIS IS EXCLUDING VEHICLES THAT NOT ONLY ORIGINALLY COST MORE, BUT HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS INT EH SAME YEAR RANGES AS OTHER 4 CYLINDERS. THEY ALSO HAVE 6 CYLINDERS SHOWING THAT THIS IS A MORE WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH OTHER PARTS ON OTHER THROTTLE BODIES OUTSIDE THAT ENGINE SIZE. THIS SHOWS POOR MANUFACTURE OF SIMILAR AND FOR MINE THE SAME AS THE NON-HYBRID. WILL CONTACT NATIONAL SERVICE NEXT. HYBRIDS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I HAVE HAD 5 AND FEEL MY CURRENT MODEL MAY BE NEXT AND IS SHOWING SOME SYMPTOMS. THIS 2009 HAS ALWAYS SHOWN SOME SURGING SURGING FOR THE 4 YEARS. IT IS IN THE SOUTH WHERE MOISTURE IS A PROBLEM WHEN HUMIDITY AND OCEAN SALT CAN AMPLIFY WHEN VISITING ON OCCASION. THE ISSUES APPEARED ON THE HIGHWAY AT FIRST IN A FEELING OF SURGING WHEN ON CRUISE CONTROL AND COULD BE SEEN IN THE RPM, ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AS IT PROGRESSED WE REPLACED 3 EMISSION PARTS, AND FINALLY IN THE LAST MONTH THE CAR WAS CRIPPLED TO A POINT THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT LIGHT, BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 45MPH, AND EVEN FELT SLUGGISH LIKE IT WAS NOT ACCELERATING MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO WORK. WE COULD NOT CALL OFF WORK TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE GARAGE, AND ALMOST HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. THIS WAS SIMILAR TO THE 2005 WE HAD EXCEPT IT WAS DUE TO THE COOLANT CIRCULATION PUMP. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT DOWN AFTER LIMPING AS THE OTHER DID. THEY NORMALLY ARE GOOD, BUT I FELT NOT REPRESENTED THIS TIME, AND THEY WERE JUST HAPPY TO HAVE ME PAY. I DO HAVE RECEIPT. 485.00

NHTSA ODI #11113203

108,287 miles · May 11, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2009 ESCAPE HYBRID HAD THE SAME THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AS SHOWN IN PE13003 AND DP12006. I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY STREET ON WAY TO AIRPORT WHEN WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE WHICH WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST! I MANAGED TO DRIVE (OR RATHER LIMP) TO SIDE STREET TO PREVENT BEING HIT AND TRIED T…

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MY 2009 ESCAPE HYBRID HAD THE SAME THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AS SHOWN IN PE13003 AND DP12006. I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY STREET ON WAY TO AIRPORT WHEN WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE WHICH WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST! I MANAGED TO DRIVE (OR RATHER LIMP) TO SIDE STREET TO PREVENT BEING HIT AND TRIED TURNING ENGINE ON AND OFF. WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF BUT ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND DROVE CAR TO FORD DEALER IN LIMP MODE. I WAS ADVISED BY THEM THAT MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO ENGINE. I LET THEM KNOW I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY(PREMIUM ESP) THAT WAS GOOD UP TO 109,913 MILES /AUG. 2017 AND CURRENTLY HAD 108,287MILES. THE THROTTLE IS COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE DID NOT NEED REPLACING. I WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE WAS SPITTING GAS AS THROTTLE DOOR NOT OPENING PROPERLY AND "THE THROTTLE HAD A COLD WHICH NEEDED TAKING CARE OF" AND JUST NEEDED A THROTTLE/ FUEL INJECTION CLEANING SERVICE. I WAS CHARGED $346.18 FOR FUEL INJECTION CLEANING AND FLUSH, HYBRID BATTERY FILTER AND LABOR. I'M CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AS THROTTLE WAS NOT REPLACED AND MY PROBLEM WAS IDENTICAL TO THE OTHERS INVESTIGATED IN PE13003. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THROTTLE WASN'T REPLACED. ARE ESCAPE HYBRIDS NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS? WHY NOT??? UNDER MY WARRANTY, IF THROTTLE WAS REPLACED IT WOULD HAVE COST ME LESS THAN CLEANING IT. IS THIS JUST A MONEY MAKING PLOY AT THE EXPENSE OF SAFETY? PLEASE ADVISE IF ESCAPE HYBRIDS WILL BE INVESTIGATED FOR THROTTLE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10984931

102,000 miles · Dec 31, 2016
Engine

MY 09 ESCAPE HYBRID SUFFERED THE SAME THROTTLE BODY FAILURE INVESTIGATED IN PE13003 AND DP12006 WHERE THE VEHICLE GOES INTO 'LIMP MODE' FOLLOWING THE TB FAILURE. IN ESSENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS MERGING NOT THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE IN SLOW S…

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MY 09 ESCAPE HYBRID SUFFERED THE SAME THROTTLE BODY FAILURE INVESTIGATED IN PE13003 AND DP12006 WHERE THE VEHICLE GOES INTO 'LIMP MODE' FOLLOWING THE TB FAILURE. IN ESSENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS MERGING NOT THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE IN SLOW SPEED BUT NOT NORMAL. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AND HAVE THE RECEIPT. HOWEVER, FORD EXCLUDED THE HYBRID FROM ITS CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03. AS MY RECEIPT SHOWS, THE TB PART NUMBER IS THE SAME AS THOSE ON THE COVERED VEHICLES AS IS THE DIAGNOSIS AND FIX (REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY). I'VE CONTACTED FORD FOR COVERAGE OF THE REPAIR IAW THE CSP 13N03 BUT THEIR STANCE HAS BEEN THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM. I'M CONTACTING YOU TO SEE IF THERE WAS A TECHNICAL/LOGICAL REASON WHY THE ESCAPE HYBRID (WITH THE SAME 2.5L ENGINE AND TB PART) WAS NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S RESPONSE AND WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING ADDITIONAL I CAN DO FROM THE CONSUMER END. I REALIZE THIS REQUEST IS SOME TIME AFTER THE REPAIR BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE CSP PROGRAM SINCE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED AND ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED OF THE FORD CSP. THANK YOU. CHARLES

NHTSA ODI #10938893

109,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Engine

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ENTERS "LIMP MODE" SHOWING DTC P2112:00-64 CODE: P2112 - THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM - STUCK CLOSED. INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AT BELOW 40 MPH AND STARTING FROM A STOP. STATUS

NHTSA ODI #10908893

146,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Engine

"THROTTLE BODY RECALL" ISSUE, BUT FOR SOME REASON I'M NOT COVERED CAR STALLED, THEN RESTARTED, THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE 2 MILES LATER. THEN ON AUG 4, 2016 THROTTLE BODY COMPLETELY FAILED AND I LIMPED BACK TO DEALERSHIP (FUGATE FORD) WHERE IT IS AWAITING REPAIRS BUT I AM TOLD MY VIN ISN'T ON THROTTLE BODY RECALL CODE 2112 FORD …

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"THROTTLE BODY RECALL" ISSUE, BUT FOR SOME REASON I'M NOT COVERED CAR STALLED, THEN RESTARTED, THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE 2 MILES LATER. THEN ON AUG 4, 2016 THROTTLE BODY COMPLETELY FAILED AND I LIMPED BACK TO DEALERSHIP (FUGATE FORD) WHERE IT IS AWAITING REPAIRS BUT I AM TOLD MY VIN ISN'T ON THROTTLE BODY RECALL CODE 2112 FORD NOTICE 13N03

NHTSA ODI #10894223

135,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10894222

137,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME AND FOLLOWING ENGINE LIGHT , THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN , AFTER THAT ACERLATION WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 15MPH, CHECKED THE CODE GOT P2112

NHTSA ODI #10888802

106,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Engine

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION DUE TO THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. FORD HAS EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY ON ESCAPE BUT HAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE HYBRID LIMITED.

NHTSA ODI #10885871

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.