2009 Ford ESCAPE HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
153 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 143 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 153 complaints (45.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 74 | 48.4% |
| Braking behavior | 41 | 26.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 69 |
| Engine | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
Steering: 69; Engine: 24; Service Brakes: 21; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Power Train: 15; Electrical System: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 45 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 45; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 5; 2010: 7; 2011: 3; 2012: 9; 2013: 16; 2014: 18; 2015: 14; 2016: 22; 2017: 13; 2018: 15; 2019: 14; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 74 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10283776 · 2009-09-12 (September 12, 2009)
ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A TOWING TRUCK WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I SPUN AROUND AND WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. UPON INSPECTION I NOTED THAT THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT (THE ONE I WAS SITTING IN) HAD COLLAPSED BACKWARD SO THAT THE BACK AND HEADREST WERE LAYING DOWN AND IN THE BACK (STILL ATTACHED TO THE SEAT HOWEVER). I WAS ALARMED AS IF I HAD SOMEONE IN THE BACK BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE SU…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290082 · 2009-10-28 (October 28, 2009)
BRAKES FAILED AT LOW SPEED WITH BRAKES FEELING LIKE THERE WAS NO PRESSURE. THE 3 LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM WERE ON WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291324 · 2009-11-07 (November 7, 2009)
WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON AUGUST 11, 2009. ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH WE LOST BRAKE POWER. SPECIFICALLY, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AS BRAKE FOOT MOVED 2/3 OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IN LAST 1/3 OF THE WAY AS BRAKING FOOT MOVED TO AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR, THERE WAS ONLY A WEAK RESPONSE. IT TOOK SEVERAL SECONDS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. WE WERE TERRIFIED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS, AFTER WHICH TIME THEY INFORME…
Owner-reported narrative. 928 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292999 · 2009-11-20 (November 20, 2009)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: IN LATE MAY 2009 I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, FROM STONEHAM FORD IN STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS AND WITHIN A PERIOD OF A MONTH PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE AS A TAXI CAB. ON THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00PM, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING UNATTENDED IN OUR YARD FOR A PERIOD OF TWO HOURS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IN A REPORT COMPILED BY THE BOSTON FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT DATED SEPTEMBER 14, 2009, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS UNINTENTIONAL AND DID NOT RE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10292999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296490 · 2009-12-20 (December 20, 2009)
ON OCT 25TH 2008 WE PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FROM ENCINITAS FORD. ON APRIL 11, 2009(MGE 3809.4)WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 UP A SMALL INCLINE AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND PUT ME INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC BESIDE ME. THIS SAME INSTANCE JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12/10/09 (6856.0 MGE) BUT I WAS GOING BETWEEN 30-35 UNDER BATTERY AND TRYING TO CURVE TO THE LEFT WHEN THE STEERING STIFFENED UP AGAIN QUICKLY AND VEERED ME TO THE RIGHT OFF OF THE ROAD. I DROPPED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/14/09 AND THEY CAN'T FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,856 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10327496 · 2010-04-26 (April 26, 2010)
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND RED EMERGENCY LIGHT CAME ON. PRESSED BRAKES AND CAR DID NOT STOP. HIT CONCRETE WALL. 1ST TIME AT DEALERSHIP, BAD SENSOR. ORDERED NEW SENSOR, AND GOT CAR BACK. SAME DAY SAME LIGHTS CAME ON. 2ND TIME AT DEALERSHIP, CHANGED ABS MODULE. GOT CAR BACK ON 23RD AND ON THE 24TH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING BRAKES. CAR IS BACK AT DEALERSHIP SINCE THE 24TH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328762 · 2010-05-04 (May 4, 2010)
ORGANIZATION OWNS TWO 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. FIRST VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING AC/HEATING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, STEERING WHEEL COVER DISINTEGRATED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY COME ON DATING BACK TO WHEN VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY CODES, ABS MODULE WENT OUT AT 52,000 MILES, WHEN MODULE WAS REPLACED, CODE FOR HYDRAULICS SHOWED ANOTHER MODULE NEEDED REPLACED, CAR IS STILL IN SHOP, AND DEALER SAYS THERE ARE STILL ADDI…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334401 · 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ... ONCE RECENTLY, AND ONCE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL TO FOLLOW A CURVE BUT THE WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR, AND PROPER STEERING THEN RESUMED. I'M VERY FRIGHTENED THAT STEERING MAY NOT RECOVER IN FUTURE INSTANCES, OR THAT EVEN THE SHORT TERM LOSS OF STEERING WILL RESULT IN A WRECK, ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334401 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.