IllustrationJERKING OF MY VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH THEN REDUCED SPEED. MY DEALER SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY.
2009 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape 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
1010–25K
16725–50K
28050–75K
24175–100K
408100–150K
219150K+
1,416 reports with mileage · 276 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 827 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 301 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
34 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
55 reportsI WAS LEAVING OUR LOCAL STORE AND TURNED ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO HAVE MY CAR START SHAKING AND WON'T GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 4 MPH. RIGHT AFTER, THE POWERTRAIN SYMBOL CAME ON FOLLOWED THE ENGINE LIGHT. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON I CREPT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT AGAI…
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I WAS LEAVING OUR LOCAL STORE AND TURNED ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO HAVE MY CAR START SHAKING AND WON'T GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 4 MPH. RIGHT AFTER, THE POWERTRAIN SYMBOL CAME ON FOLLOWED THE ENGINE LIGHT. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON I CREPT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. WHEN TURNED BACK ON THE LIGHTS WERE ALL GONE, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A FLUKE. UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING AND AS SOON AS I TURNED EVERYTHING TURNED BACK ON AND THE SHAKING HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE IT WAS THE THROTTLE AND THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY OF THE ESCAPES BREAKING IN THE SAME PART. NOW ITS THE SIT AND WAIT GAME FOR WEEKS! *TR
ON AUG 13, 2011 THE REAR WINDOW ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED WHEN THE HATCH DOOR WAS CLOSED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOV 12, 2010 AND WE FILED A REPORT THEN TOO. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES OUR CAR WAS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN M…
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ON AUG 13, 2011 THE REAR WINDOW ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED WHEN THE HATCH DOOR WAS CLOSED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOV 12, 2010 AND WE FILED A REPORT THEN TOO. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES OUR CAR WAS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN MY WIFE CLOSED THE DOOR. WE KNOW THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THE 2010 - 2011 ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS AS WELL. WE BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.
WALNUT CREEK FORD MISREPRESENTED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE I WAS PURCHASING WITH 17 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES COULD BE DRIVEN WITH CABLES AT THE TIME THAT WE ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AND SIGNED AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT IT COULD NOT USE SNOW CHAINS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN WE HAD TO USE THE CABLES WE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN …
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WALNUT CREEK FORD MISREPRESENTED THAT THE FORD ESCAPE I WAS PURCHASING WITH 17 INCH WHEELS AND TIRES COULD BE DRIVEN WITH CABLES AT THE TIME THAT WE ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AND SIGNED AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT IT COULD NOT USE SNOW CHAINS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN WE HAD TO USE THE CABLES WE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN CALIFORNIA IN SNOW AT ALL BECAUSE NEITHER CABLES OR SNOW CHAINS CAN BE USED. SNOW TIRES ARE NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL ALLOWS SNOW TIRES ONLY WITH 4 WD VEHICLES AND THIS CAR IS A 2 WD VEHICLE, THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY IN SNOW AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE WALNUT CREEK FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY DEFECT AND IN FACT WILL NOT EVEN RETURN MY PHONE CALLS AT ALL. UPDATED PORTABLE 03/03/11
MY WIFE WAS LOADING OUR ESCAPE TRUNK BEFORE GOING TO WORK IN THE MORNING. WHEN SHE CLOSED THE HATCH DOOR, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUTWARD. IT WAS LIKE THE WINDOW EXPLODED SENDING GLASS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW COST ALMOST $600 TO REPLACE AND THE FORD BODY SHOP ESTIMATED ALMOST $1,300 DAMAGE TO THE…
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MY WIFE WAS LOADING OUR ESCAPE TRUNK BEFORE GOING TO WORK IN THE MORNING. WHEN SHE CLOSED THE HATCH DOOR, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OUTWARD. IT WAS LIKE THE WINDOW EXPLODED SENDING GLASS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW COST ALMOST $600 TO REPLACE AND THE FORD BODY SHOP ESTIMATED ALMOST $1,300 DAMAGE TO THE HATCH FINISH FOR THE NICKS AND SCRATCHES FROM THE BROKEN GLASS. WE CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER ANY OF THE DAMAGE. OUR INSURANCE COVERED THE COST OF THE REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR OUR $250 DEDUCTIBLE. WE FOUND A WEB SITE WHERE THERE WERE 31 INCIDENTS OF ESCAPE REAR WINDOWS SHATTERING. WE BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS OR WINDOW DESIGN AND WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE.
Official recalls
114V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
May 29, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
3DP15001 · 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
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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.