IllustrationNO CRANK, NO START. IGNITION SWITCH OR STARTER ISSUE. BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. IF I PUSHED IN AND GIGGLED IT WOULD START FOR A WHILE, NOW IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I HAD TO PUSH SO HARD TO START IT, THE KEY ALMOST BROKE SEVERAL TIMES.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape Hybrid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1925–50K
2150–75K
2975–100K
45100–150K
17150K+
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
What owners actually said
153 reportsWHEN DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR CAME UP AND VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I BELIEVE THE FALURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HTAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF FORD RECALL NOTICE 14S05. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS RECALL AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. "THE UPDATE ALLEGEDLY WOU…
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POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I BELIEVE THE FALURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HTAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF FORD RECALL NOTICE 14S05. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS RECALL AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. "THE UPDATE ALLEGEDLY WOULD MAKE SURE THE SUVS WOULDN'T LOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD PROVIDE AUDIO AND VISUAL WARNINGS IF PROBLEMS OCCURRED. IF A DRIVER RECEIVED WARNINGS, THEY WERE TOLD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER." THE AUDIO AND VISUAL ALERTS DID NOT OCCUR AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED LEAVING ONLY MANUAL UNASSISTED STEERING, MAKING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE.
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
BRAKES WEAK ON MANUAL MODE ALMOST NO STOPPING POWER, CODES C1320., HYDRAULIC TRAVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT, HCU, ABS LIGHT ON, SERVICE BRAKES LIGHTS ON, NO HCU COMPRESSOR COMING ON AT PRE START ANY MORE. SUGGESTED NEED NEW HCU, AT A PART COST OF $3889.00 PLUS 10 HOURS OF LABOR TO BLEED SYSTEM PUTTING REPAIR COST OVER $5K, CAR BLUE BOOKS…
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BRAKES WEAK ON MANUAL MODE ALMOST NO STOPPING POWER, CODES C1320., HYDRAULIC TRAVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT, HCU, ABS LIGHT ON, SERVICE BRAKES LIGHTS ON, NO HCU COMPRESSOR COMING ON AT PRE START ANY MORE. SUGGESTED NEED NEW HCU, AT A PART COST OF $3889.00 PLUS 10 HOURS OF LABOR TO BLEED SYSTEM PUTTING REPAIR COST OVER $5K, CAR BLUE BOOKS AT $3.5K, HOW CAN THIS BE FEASIBLE, THANKS FOR THE DISPOSABLE CAR FORD.!!!
SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ETC. I HAD STARTED CAR, BACKED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND ENTERED ROADWAY WHEN ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED AND I HAD NO BRAKING SYSTEM OPERATING. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION.
"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
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.
I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HOME FROM WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I BARELY AVOIDED A 16 WHEELER AND MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WHILE HITTING A CONCRETE CURB NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND DAMAGING MY …
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HOME FROM WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I BARELY AVOIDED A 16 WHEELER AND MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WHILE HITTING A CONCRETE CURB NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND DAMAGING MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE STEERING WENT OUT, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ALSO. THE WRENCH SIGN WAS LIGHT UP AND A MESSAGE TO PULL OVER WAS ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES, DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IN THE LAST 2 DAYS MAKING THE CAR BASICALLY UNDRIVEABLE. A CODE 2112 WAS PULLED FROM THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT SHOULD REPLACE THIS. WHEN I CALLED FORD WITH MY VIN NUMBER, I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2009 HYBRID WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER 2009 ESCAPE HYBRIDS WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT WERE NOT COVERED. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!!
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
Official recalls
0No 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
3DP22005 · 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.