RoadVitals

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
153
+1 complaint in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Sep 12, 2009

What this page shows

Our database holds 153 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 153 · page 1 of 7

Steering
Filed Jul 31, 2026

Car steering torque sensor not working properly causing power steering assist to be lost compromising electric power steering (eps) assist and increasing the risk of an accident. Ford has a recall 14S05/2014-193, but they are saying my car is not included on this recall at this time although it is exactly the same issue I am having now.

NHTSA ID
11753983
Incident
Jul 15, 2026
Steering
Filed Mar 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 8 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased to function; however, the contact was able to make a full turn of the steering wheel, and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to regain power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to two separate independent mechanics and the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the same failure three times within a month. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the steering module was reprogrammed; however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

NHTSA ID
11647669
Incident
Mar 15, 2024
Mileage
260,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot at 15 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The local dealer and an independent mechanic were contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11638819
Incident
Jan 25, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as a failure with the electric power steering assist. The contact was informed that the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11602797
Incident
Jul 16, 2024
Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11597952
Incident
Jun 17, 2024
Mileage
190,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the power steering control module was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.

NHTSA ID
11509400
Incident
Jan 27, 2023
Mileage
270,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, causing the steering wheel to be difficult to maneuver. The power steering sensor failed warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11459667
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering wheel would shake and vibrate before eventually the message "torque sensor failure" had displayed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering torque sensor and possibly the steering rack were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

NHTSA ID
11451904
Incident
Feb 3, 2021
Mileage
158,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, it was discovered that the power steering assist had malfunctioned, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,746.

NHTSA ID
11446343
Incident
Dec 20, 2021
Mileage
59,746 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked after starting the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The dealer also informed the contact that there was no open recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11433675
Incident
Mar 20, 2021
Mileage
130,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 10, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that start-up of the vehicle, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, he discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective steering column assembly; however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact then took the vehicle an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with the same failure and informed him that his vehicle should be covered under the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11428507
Incident
Jul 19, 2021
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed intermittently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that an unknown sensor had caused the power steering failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11421298
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
85,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 181,011.

NHTSA ID
11395274
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
Mileage
181,011 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED HASSETT FORD (3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, (516) 785-7800) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11383010
Incident
Dec 7, 2020
Steering
Filed Dec 2, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARCARE IMPORT AND DOMESTIC (350 ROCKLAND RD, HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37075 (615) 822-5002) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 129,088. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED.

NHTSA ID
11377521
Incident
Nov 29, 2020
Mileage
148,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITH THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART ONCE THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE VEHICLE FAILING TO RESTART. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO HER OWNING THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECTED TO THE FREE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL WHICH AFFECTED THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUSPENSION AND THE UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC NEEDED TO REMOVE THE HYBRID BATTERY, THE FUEL TANK, AND THE FUEL LINE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11364375
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REFERRED TO LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER NICK MAYER LINCOLN WESTLAKE LOCATED AT 24400 CENTER RIDGE RD, WESTLAKE, OH 44145, (440) 835-3700, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND MODULE AND ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
11352292
Incident
Aug 17, 2020
Mileage
101,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOST TORQUE SIGNAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
11279507
Incident
Nov 11, 2019
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2019

THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS P2112 AND P2111

NHTSA ID
11233886
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2019

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 ID
11231339
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
129,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2019

HCU MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. DEADLY FLAW IN BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN

NHTSA ID
11221601
Incident
Jun 19, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES, AND WAS INTERMITTENT THE FIRST TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT DID NOT ALWAYS CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY FORD (LOCATED AT 5100 ROSECRANS AVE, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250, (301) 584-7641) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11218250
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 1, 2019
Fire reported

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 ID
11217258
Incident
Jan 12, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 6, 2019

I HAVE HAD THE SUV FOR 3 MONTHS. I'M EXPERIENCING TOTAL BREAK LOSS. THE FIRST TIME I ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11205869
Incident
Apr 25, 2019
Mileage
213,856 mi
Electrical
Filed May 3, 2019

CAR NOT STARTING BECAUSE OF A POORLY DESIGNED IGNITION HOUSING. THE CAR SOMETINMS DOESN'T START BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH LIKE IT SHOULD. I GOT THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO WHY IS THRE NOT A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE?

NHTSA ID
11205588
Incident
May 3, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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