IllustrationMY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. I TRY NOT TO MAKE LEFT TURNS DUE TO VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, THE WRENCH COMES ON IN THE CAB WHEN I START EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN ON HIGHWAY WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR SLOWS DOWN LIE THE BRAKES ARE ON. *TR
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
279 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,873 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. ..UPDATED 05/01/13 *BF THE C…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,873 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. ..UPDATED 05/01/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, HE THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE REACHED A SPEED OF 30 MPH, WHILE GOING UPHILL, AND THEN STALLED. UPDATED 05/21/13
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
STALLING WHEN GOING ON GAS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR OR UP A STEEP HILL. AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL QUICKLY, CAR WANTS TO STILL ACCELERATES FOR A GOOD THREE TO FOUR SECONDS. ALSO ENGINE STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, LIKE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE FIRST TWO ARE NORMAL AND THE THIRD ITEM TH…
Read full complaint
STALLING WHEN GOING ON GAS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR OR UP A STEEP HILL. AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL QUICKLY, CAR WANTS TO STILL ACCELERATES FOR A GOOD THREE TO FOUR SECONDS. ALSO ENGINE STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, LIKE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE FIRST TWO ARE NORMAL AND THE THIRD ITEM THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN UPDATED 05/20/2013*JS
CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPING INTERMITTENT, WILL RESTART, NO ERROR LITES. TACH FLUCTUATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND IF NO STALL WILL SETTLE AROUND 7000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR. ONCE BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE LATER. I STARTED THE CAR A SECOND TIME AND THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN DIED. BY THIS TIME, TRAF…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR. ONCE BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE LATER. I STARTED THE CAR A SECOND TIME AND THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN DIED. BY THIS TIME, TRAFFIC WAS BEGINNING TO BACK UP BEHIND ME AND I WAS ENTERING AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TO IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED, THEY HAD RECENTLY REPLACE A COUPLE OF OTHERS. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $400. FORD SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RETAINED THE FAILED PART AND HAVE IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED THEN OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED THEN OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,566. UPDATED 06/04/2013*LJ
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY GOING APPROX 55 MPH. AFTER DRIVING APPROX 6 MILES THE RPM'S STARTED TO REV UP AND DOWN FROM 500 TO THE MAX RPM. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING BUT MY SPEED WAS NOT CHANGING. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, I COULD ONLY BREAK. I QUICKLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR APPROX.…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY GOING APPROX 55 MPH. AFTER DRIVING APPROX 6 MILES THE RPM'S STARTED TO REV UP AND DOWN FROM 500 TO THE MAX RPM. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING BUT MY SPEED WAS NOT CHANGING. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, I COULD ONLY BREAK. I QUICKLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR APPROX. 5 MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, REVVED THE ENGINE A FEW TIMES. ALL SEEMED NORMAL. SO I CONTINUED SLOWLY. NOTHING FURTHER HAPPENED FOR 3 WEEKS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ALSO ON THE FREEWAY AT THE SAME APPROXIMATE SPEED. I DID THE SAME THING AND HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY. SINCE THEN MY MPG HAS GONE DOWN FROM AVG 28 TO AVG 24 MPG. THE ENGINE/TRANS? ALWAYS HESITATES TO SHIFT AND OCCASIONALLY THE RPM'S GO HIGHER THEN THEY SHOULD BEFORE THE ENGINE SHIFTS BACK DOWN. TWO DAYS AGO ON 11/22/12 I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY (70 MPH). AFTER SITTING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE RPM'S DID NOT MOVE EITHER, THEY WERE STEADY AT IDLE RPM OF ABOUT 1500. I HIT THE GAS PEDDLE AGAIN AND FINALLY MY CAR JERKED INTO GEAR AND REVVED UP TO ABOUT 3000 RPM. I TRIED TO REPLICATE THIS AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT BUT IT HASN'T DONE IT SINCE. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR IN ON MONDAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BUT FEAR THAT DEALER WILL AGAIN FIND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER MY FIRST INCIDENT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY JUST BECAUSE IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE STALLED (ENGINE RUNNING BUT NO FORWARD MOTION AND NO RESPONSE TO ACCELERATOR) WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ONCOMING VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY BY DEALER. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY …
Read full complaint
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE STALLED (ENGINE RUNNING BUT NO FORWARD MOTION AND NO RESPONSE TO ACCELERATOR) WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ONCOMING VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY BY DEALER. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT, VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION # DP12006: "...VEHICLES THAT WERE DIAGNOSED AS FAILED THROTTLE BODIES WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P2111, THROTTLE BODY STUCK OPEN, AND P2222, THROTTLE BODY STUCK CLOSED. THE PETITIONER INDICATES THAT THE OWNERS OF BOTH VEHICLES REPORTED EXPERIENCING REPEATED INCIDENTS OF STALLING..." FORD HAS "RELEASED A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT COVER A WIDE RANGE OF VEHICLES AND THROTTLE BODY ISSUES RELATED TO HESITATION AND STALLING, INCLUDING 08-18-2 AND 09-23-5." THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED FORD (BOTH CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP) AND THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE UNTIL A RECALL IS INITIATED BY THE NHTSA. *TR
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.