Page 34 of 34 · complaints 1,651–1,693 of 1,693

2009 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 8, 201026,000 milesIA

GOT HOME AT 4PM, PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND TURNED IT OFF. WALKED INSIDE AND WENT TO DINNER AT MY IN LAWS. ABOUT 3AM MY WIFE WOKE UP TO ONE OF OUR BABIES CRYING. SHE WENT DOWN TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. AS SHE WAS WALKING THROUGH OUR KITCHEN SHE SMELLED SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT RIGHT. SHE WOKE ME UP AND WE ALL LEFT THE HOUSE AND WENT TO HER PARENTS HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET. WE CALLED THE GAS COMPANY AND THEY CAME TO SEARCH THE HOUSE. THE COULD NOT FIND A GAS LEAK, SO THE GUY FROM THE GAS COMPANY ASKED TO LOOK IN THE GARAGE. WHEN WE OPENED THE GARAGE IT FELT LIKE 100 DEGREES. WE LOOKED IN BOTH CARS AND THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. WE POPPED THE HOODS ON THE CARS ON OUR ESCAPE YOU COULD BARELY TOUCH ANYTHING INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE IT WAS HOT. ON OUR OTHER CAR YOU COULD TOUCH EVERYTHING. WE TRIED TO BACK THE ESCAPE OUT OF THE GARAGE UNTIL WE COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY BUT WERE UNABLE TO. THE NEXT MORNING WE ENDED UP CALLING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SHIP. THEY CHECKED THE WIRING UNDER THE BATTERY BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS OF THE STARTER SPINNING BUT NEVER STARTING. SINCE THEN THEY AS WELL AS FORD HAVE SAID WE HAVE MADE THIS UP AND ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER HERD OF SUCH OF A THING. SINCE WE ARE THE FIRST THEY DON'T FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO ANYTHING TILL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 3, 2010AZ

2009 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE RANDOMLY SHUTTING DOWN. *TGW

SteeringCrash
Filed Oct 12, 201027,850 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR SHIFTED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 50 FEET APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10 -15 MPH AND STRUCK A WOODEN FENCE POST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING 360 DEGREES. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM THE BASE AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING EMERGED THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPIAR SHOP AND REPAIRED FOR THE DAMAGES. A FIELD ENGINEER INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,850. UPDATED 01/24/11 *CN UPDATED 04.18.11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 12, 201020,000 milesVA

2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50-70 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 7 MONTHS OLD (JAN 2010) IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP, WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RESURFACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT STAYED FOR OVER A WEEK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS A BAD MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT ONCE IT WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED. THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY "REPAIRED", HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. WE LIVE IN WASHINGTON DC AND HAVE TO TAKE THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY AND INTERSTATE 95 EVERY DAY TO GET TO WORK AND THIS ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IS JUST A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 4, 20104,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE JUST AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED FROM 60 MPH TO 50 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED UNDER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 14, 201027,080 milesOH

I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE OF 2009. IN FEBRUARY OF 2010, I HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING" AND "JERKING" WHILE IN TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED MY TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, AND THEY HAD INFORMED ME THEY HAD INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2010 MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS WITH THE BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WAS REPLACED IN MARCH, AT LESS THAN 30,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON MY ODOMETER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEPTEMBER 10TH AND THEY INFORMED ME ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, THAT IT IS INDEED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL MORE THAN LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I AM UPSET THAT THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE TRANSMISSION CONCERNS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 201016,500 milesPA

2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MERGING INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. SPEEDOMETER READ 60MPH YET NO RPMS. COULD HAVE PROVEN FATAL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR 1 RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION FAILED ANYHOW. ALOT OF OTHER 2009 ESCAPES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 26, 201011,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED, WHITE FLAKES BEGAN TO BLOW FROM THE VENTILATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS OPERATED. THE FLAKES WERE BLOWN INTO THE CONTACT'S EYES, OBSTRUCTING HER VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,450.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 201022,000 milesVA

AFTER A RECALL THAT REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ACCELERATION WITH OUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 15TH. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 20TH. NO ISSUES OR REPAIRABLE ITEMS WERE FOUND. THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE BROUGHT BACK IN FOR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE REPROGRAMMING. WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURS IT FEELS LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGING EVEN THOUGH THE SYSTEM WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO ACCELERATION. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Aug 17, 201023,680 milesAL

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE ON VEHICLE. TPMS CAME ON, I CHECKED TIRES AND SYSTEM WENT OFF. LATER SYSTEM CAME ON AGAIN AND STAYED ON WITH NO LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 201010,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHETHER A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT NO CODES INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED REPEATEDLY BUT THEY NEVER RETURNED THE CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 11, 201015,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SLOWING DOWN AND ACCELERATING THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,419. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 201022,000 miles00

VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND CRUISE HAD TO BE DISENGAGED TO STOP ACCELERATION. VEHICLE FAILED ON 2 OCCASIONS TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER ENTERING MERGE LANE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 8, 2010MD

CONTINUOUS EMISSION OF VISIBLE PARTICULATE MATTER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN FROM THE INTERIOR HEATING/COOLING AIR DUCTS OF 2009 FORD ESCAPE. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE. PARTICULATE CAUSES COUGHING AND SNEEZING. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS JUST INSULATION THAT IS NON-TOXIC AND NOT HARMFUL. I DO NOT AGREE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SAMPLES TESTED FOR TOXICITY AND POTENTIAL HARMFUL EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS INHALATION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 6, 201013,600 milesNJ

2009 FORD ESCAPE TIMING CHAIN CASE COVER CRACKED. THIS CAUSED MISALIGNMENT OF THE ATTACHED PULLEY AND SUBSEQUENT DETACHMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. THERE WERE 13600 MILES ON THE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE AT THE TIME IT OCCURRED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Jul 30, 201024,064 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH HIS 2009 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER 35 FT. TRITON V10 ENGINE WITH A FORD CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION IN HIS FORD ESCAPED CAUGHT FIRE. HE STATED THAT HE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE USERS MANUAL WHICH INDICATED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE KEY IN THE ACC POSITION AND TURN THE VEHICLE ON FOR FIVE MINUTES BEFORE HE BEGAN TOWING A VEHICLE. THE TOW BAR WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE RV. HE OBSERVED SMOKE IN BETWEEN THE RV AND THE FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE TWO MILES BEFORE HE COULD PULL OVER. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLES, HE OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE FORD ESCAPE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD DECIDE WHETHER TO REPLACE OR REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PARTS WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,064.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 29, 20103,000 milesCA

A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED A 2009 FORD ESCAPE, I NOTICED MY ACCELERATOR VIBRATING UNDER MY FOOT. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS WHILE ACCELERATING MY CAR FELT LIKE IT STALLED- TO EXPLAIN I WOULD PUSH DOWN THE PEDAL AND THE CAR WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WAS REVVING UP THEN NOTHING! MY CAR WOULD STOP,NO FORWARD MOVEMENT, NO ENGINE SOUND, NOTHING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THEN MY CAR WOULD KICK IN AND MOVE, THIS "STALLING" ALMOST GOT ME HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED IT. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THIS OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY A TRUCK. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WHERE THEY CLAIMED TO FIX THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES NOW, EACH INCIDENT HAD ME JUST NEARLY GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR IN TOTAL FOR OVER A MONTH TRYING TO FIX THIS, NOT INCLUDING NOW HAVING HAD MY CAR FOR 10 DAYS AFTER MY ALMOST GETTING HIT BY A BUS. SO FAR NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM- THEY HAVE RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTER, REPLACE THE PETAL TWICE AND MADE OTHER ADJUSTMENT WITHOUT A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 28, 20102 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 201014,000 miles00

FORD SCAPE TRANSMISSION NO RESPOND, I WAS DRIVING AND TO PASS ANOTHER CAR NO RESPOND AND I HAD GOT OUT THE ROAD. ALMOST CRASH. I INFORM THIS INCIDENT. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 21, 201023,435 milesWA

ON 7/14/2010 OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE WAS INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN WHICH IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END BY A FUGITIVE BEING CHASED BY LOCAL POLICE. THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END. THE ESCAPE WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND NOT MOVING, THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS EST. TO BE GOING 70MPH? THE CAR HAS IN EXCESS OF $16,000 IN DAMAGE, THE FRAME RAILS BENT, AXLES BROKE AND THE FRONT END SHIFTED TO ONE SIDE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO FRONT OR SIDE BAGS. THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS AND IF THEY WILL EVER WORK? THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 23KMILES ON IT. SERVICED REGULARLY. *TR

Structure
Filed Jun 19, 201019,318 milesMI

WHITE FLAKY MATERIAL COMING OUT OF VENT SYSTEM. 2009 FORD ESCAPE. VERY SERIOUS SEE SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 09-21-6. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 13, 2010500 milesMD

2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED WITH 4WD AND 4 CYLINDER ENGINE HAS CONTINUED TO SPEW FLACKY WHITE MATERIAL FROM THE HEATING/AC DUCTS WHEN THE SYSTEM'S FAN IS OPERATING. UPON RETURN TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN EXISTED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS IN THE MANUFACTURER'S BULLETIN.THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THE MATERIAL WAS INSULATION AND NON TOXIC AND NOT A CARCINOGEN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST WITH SMALLER PARTICLES BEING SPEWED FORTH WHENEVER THE SYSTEM IS TURNED ON. I AM CONCERNED THAT CONTINUOUS INHALATION OF THIS MATERIAL WILL HAVE BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERM HEALTH CONSEQUENCES FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. SINCE THERE IS ALREADY A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT, MY SITUATION IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I PLAN TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR RESOLUTION BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS MORE AT RISK. HOW DO I DETERMINE THAT INHALATION OF THIS MATERIAL IS NOT TOXIC AND DOES NOT IMPOSE A HEALTH RISK?? *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 11, 201023,389 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,389.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 2, 20105,184 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS AND THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED UP TO 6000. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED BACK IN GEAR, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A VALVE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON MARCH 30, 2010, ALL OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON APRIL 19, 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR NINE DAYS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO ADAPT TO THE CONTACTS STYLE OF DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A FIELD ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER WANTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,184. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,835.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 10, 201025,000 milesCA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 FORD ESCAPE IN DECEMBER 2008. IT HAS ABOUT 25000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH BRAKE. WHEN I BACKUP VEHICLE, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE IS STUCK, AND CANNOT BE PRESSED DOWN ANYMORE, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKE IS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE MOVE AS BRAKE IS LOCKED. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TWICE TODAY AS 05/10/2010. ONE WAS IN THE MORNING AND ANOTHER WAS IN THE AFTERNOON. THE VEHICLE HIT THE STREET CURB AS IT CANNOT BE STOPPED. I WAS LUCKY AS THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR PEOPLE BEHIND OF ME. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 10, 201014,516 milesWA

LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT BROKE AND SEAL TO TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID CAR HAD 14,516 MILEAGE REPLACED SHAFT AND SEAL AND BUSHING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 25, 20108,700 miles00

WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TRANSMISSION SLIPS TO NEUTRAL (OR LOW GEAR) AND RPMS SHOOT UP TO NEAR 6000. FORWARD MOMENTUM SLOWS DRAMATICALLY WHICH IS QUITE HAZARDOUS ON HIGHWAY. GOT TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND WITHIN DAY THEY "FIXED" IT BY REPLACING A SEAL (DIAGNOSIS WAS LOW FLUID). EXPRESSED CONCERNS FOR SAFETY AND WAS TOLD IT IS FIXED AND IT IS SAFE. NEXT DAY THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURS! IN ADDITION TO THAT SAME PROBLEM OCCURING, ALSO NOW SHIFTING IS OCCASSIONALLY VERY HARD ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATION IS HARDER LIKE MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY OR PASSING ANOTHER CAR. BRINGING VEHICLE BACK IN BUT DON'T HAVE MY HOPES UP RIGHT NOW.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 18, 201010,000 milesMI

2009 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED APRIL 2009. NOTICED TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVING. THOUGHT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN MY ERROR FOR NOT STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY. MARCH 2010, MILEAGE ABOUT 20,000 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION WHEN I ACCELERATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL OR STARTS JERKING AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE REVS UP WITH NO ERROR LIGHTS COMING ON. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, SOONEST THEY COULD GET ME IN IS MARCH 22, 2010. WHEN I WAS MAKING THE APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY LOW ON TRANNY FLUID. CHECKED THE TRANNY FLUID WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON MARCH 13, 2010 AND IT WAS LOW, SERVICE TECH ADDED MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED THE SAME AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS QUITE POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING THE ON RAMP AND A SEMI TRUCK IS IN THE SAME LANE. I'VE NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS ADDRESSING THE SAME ISSUE. DEFINITELY THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS. I'LL SEE WHAT THE DEALER SAYS AND IF THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT SHE HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF ESCAPES COMING IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WILL UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER MY VEHICLE IS LOOKED AT AND DIAGNOSED. I'LL ALSO DO

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 12, 201020,000 milesIL

AT THE SHIFT LEVEL OF 40 TO 45 MPH THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING THE FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 201018,000 milesNJ

2009 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 5,000 TO 6,000 RPMS WITH NO ERROR LIGHTS COMING ON. DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS LOW ON TRANNY FLUID. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED TWO DAYS LATER AND IS NOT FIXED YET. THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS QUITE POSSIBLE.*TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 19, 2010400 milesME

AT THE SHIFT LEVEL OF 40 TO 45 MPH THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING THE FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 16, 20101,356 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS IF METAL HITTING AGAINST METAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS BLACK AND IT IS WARM, THAT IS WHY HE WAS HEARING THAT NOISE. HOWEVER THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ORDERED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER'S INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER .THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,356 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,200.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 10, 201040 milesMI

THE GAS PEDAL OF THE ESCAPE (2009 MODEL) VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATES TO ABOUT 45 MPH. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 24, 2009MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE HESITATES PRIOR TO ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 10,000. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN WHEN DECREASING SPEED FOR TURNS OR NEARING A LIGHT, AND THEN ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T RESPOND QUICK, IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS. THE CONSUMER CHANGE THE GRADE OF GAS HE WAS USING AND THE PROBLEM IMPROVED A LITTLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND THE DEALER DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE FLUID BEING BLACK. UPDATED 01/06/10. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 20091,400 milesFL

2009 FORD ESCAPE 4WD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WHILE TOWING THE CAR PER INSTRUCTIONS IN CAR INFORMATION BOOK. IT WAS FIXED BY FORD WITH NO PROBLEM (WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION) TOOK 12 DAYS. REIMBURSED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. THEN WE TOWED IT 1000 MILES PER INSTRUCTIONS ON STOPPING ETC. NO PROBLEMS. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED BY A FORD DEALER AND THEY "TOPPED" OFF THE FLUIDS. WE TOWED THE CAR 200 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION "BLEW" IT WAS TOWED AGAIN TO A FORD DEALER FIXED IN 6 DAYS THIS TIME AND A NEW DIPSTICK WAS GIVEN WITH INSTRUCTION TO NEVER LET ANYONE "TOP" OFF THE FLUID AND TO KEEP IT BETWEEN HASH MARK AND LOW LINE. WE HAVE SINCE TOWED IT >9000 MILES WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. HOWEVER EVERYTIME WE HAD OIL CHANGE OR TIRE REPUTATION, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THEIR OWN SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING THEM NOT TO TOP OFF FLUID. WE WERE ALSO GIVEN NEW TOWING INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING STOPPING EVERY 6 HOURS AND RUNNING THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES AND PUTTING IT THROUGH ALL GEARS BEFORE TOWING AGAIN. HOWEVER, I CAN'T FIND THOSE INSTRUCTION ANYWHERE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 25, 200914,000 milesSD

PURCHASED 2009 FORD ESCAPE FWD V6 AUTO TRANS AS A VEHICLE TO BE TOWED BEHIND OUR MOTOR HOME. WE WERE ASSURED IT WAS TOWABLE (FORD OWNERS MANUAL & DINGHY TOWING GUIDES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY WITH AUTO MFR'S INPUT). WE HAVE BLOWN 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN PAST 4 MONTHS, AND HAVE MORE THAN FOLLOWED FORD'S GUIDELINES. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OTHER RVERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED UP TO 4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES - SOME REPORTED BEING FLAGGED DOWN BY OTHER MOTORISTS BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR WHILE BEING TOWED. THE WIRING HARNESS ON OURS HAS BEEN MELTED BOTH TIMES TRANS FAILURE OCCURRED. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR MISTAKE RELATIVE TOWABILITY. FORD HAS ABUSED US (STRANDED FOR 2+WEEKS NOW WITH NO IDEA WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED) BY THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES. ON THE FIRST TRANS FAILURE THEY JUST TOLD THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION - TOOK 10 DAYS. THIS TIME THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON ORDERING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, AND OFFERING US NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR INCONVENIENCE AND OUT OF POCKET COSTS (RENTAL CAR, ETC). *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 15, 200913,000 milesNC

WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHTS THAT COME ON ARE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND THE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD FLASHES OFF AND ON. ONLY HAPPENS MAYBE 20% OF THE TIME. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THE CODES THAT COME UP THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE SO CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I DO TAKE IT IN MOST OF THE TIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON SO THEY ASK WHETS THE PROBLEM? I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 29, 20091,113 milesCO

2009 FORD ESCAPE (RENTAL CAR) I RECEIVED THIS NEW RENTAL CAR FROM A MAJOR RENTAL CAR COMPANY AT THE SEATTLE/TACOMA AIRPORT WITH ONLY WITH 83 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I RENTED THE CAR ON APPROXIMATELY 7-7-09. ON 7-13-09, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,100 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT IT IS CALLED). I DO KNOW IT CAME OFF THE SPINDLE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE ON VACATION WITH ME WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND NEAR THE END OF THE EXIT LANE, I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SHARP, LEFT HAND, BANKED, HAIRPIN CORNER THAT CROSSES OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE EXIT LANE WAS EXTREMELY LONG AND I BELIEVE I WAS GOING ABOUT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED HALFWAY THROUGH THE HAIRPIN TURN. I HEARD A CLUNK CLUNK AND THE TIRE SKIDDING. IT WAS HARD TO KEEP THE FORD ESCAPE FROM LEAVING THE ROADWAY ON THE RIGHT, BUT BECAUSE OF MY LOW SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER UNDER CONTROL. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL THE WHEEL DID NOT SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FENDER OR FENDER WELL AND FROM WHAT I COULD SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL. IT LOOKED LIKE A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE COLLAR (I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT) THAT SURROUNDS THE SPINDLE. DON'T THESE BOLTS HAVE COTTER PINS? THE TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER THREE HOURS. THE POLICEMAN ASKED ME IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. I DIDN'T THINK SO, BUT WE WALKED THE ROADWAY BEFORE

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Aug 19, 20099,987 milesPA

STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, LESS THAN 10 MPH. SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. NOTING HIT THE CAR AND WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING FELL ON THE CAR. WE WERE ON AN EVEN SMOOTH PAVEMENT. *TR

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jul 9, 20093,300 milesCA

ON JUNE 2ND 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY NEW FORD ESCAPE ON HIGHWAY 101 HEADING WEST WHEN BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS INSTANTLY DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR GET IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEATBELT LOCKED ME INTO THE SEAT, I PULLED OFF THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS TOPANGA CANYON. I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER TO VISTA FORD AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OTHER THAN THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. FORD HAS BEEN SHIPPED THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE AND SAYS IT WILL TAKE 3 MONTHS TO ANALYZE. FORD WILL NOT WARRANTY THIS UNTIL THEY DETERMINE IT WAS A DEFECT. IN THE MEAN TIME MY INSURANCE IS HAVING VISTA FORD REPLACE THE MODULE AND AIRBAGS. I WILL GET THE VEHICLE BACK AND HAVE TO DRIVE IT. I CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT. UNFORTUNATELY MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO DRIVE 2500 MILE A MONTH ALL AROUND SOUTHERN CA. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR 3 MONTHS, I'VE ALREADY INCURRED $650.00 OF RENTAL CAR EXPENSES SINCE JUNE 2ND SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE WORKING. I AM BEING FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR BY FORD. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 22, 20092,000 milesNY

09 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION LOST THIRD GEAR [6 SPEED AUTO] THEN GOES INTO DEFAULT MODE [5TH GEAR ONLY] THIS IS A VERY HARSH EVENT [IT CAUSES THE TIRE TO SKID ON DRY PAVEMENT] FORD REPLACED A PCM NOW THE TRANSMISSION SPEWS OIL OUT THE DIPSTICK TUBE AND COVERS THE BACK END GATE AND UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE [THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AS EXHAUST TEMPS ARE HIGH] THUS FAR THE SELLING DEALERS SERVICE AND WARRANTY IS A JOKE PROBLEMS STARTED AT 2000 MILES HAVE 3000 NOW THE TRUCK SPENDS MORE TIME AT DEALERSHIP THAN AT OUR HOME WE DO NOT FEEL WE CAN BE SAFE WITH THESE ISSUES GOING ON. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Mar 17, 200932,000 milesFL

59 YR. WOMAN NO DRUGS NEVER. NON SMOKER. ATTENDING TRAFFIC VERY CONCENTRATED. 17 YEARS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. IT IS TRUE I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE WITHOUT NOTICED ANY PROBLEM. ALSO IT IS TRUE I DIDN'T TRY TO STOPPED SUDDENLY AT ANY TIME BEFORE. USUALLY I DRIVE VERY SAFE TAKING A RATIONAL DISTANCE FROM OTHER CARS. IT HAPPENED INTO A TIED TRAFFIC AT 125 NE STREET, NORTH MIAMI, SOUTH FL AT APPROX 6 PM LAST FRIDAY 3/13/09 NO MORE THAT 25 MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS USUALLY DENSE AT THAT TIME ON THAT STREET. UNDER A GREEN LIGHT THE 1ST CAR IN ROW SUDDENLY STOPPED TO MAKE AN UNAUTHORIZED LEFT. ALL THE CARS BEHIND IN THE LINE STOPPED TO HIT THE ONE IN FRONT, ONE BY ONE. I WAS THE LAST IN THE ROW. ALTHOUGH I TRIED TO STOP MY CAR VERY HARD WITH ENOUGH DISTANCE IT DIDN'T STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY SOUL TO AVOID THE IMPACT BUT I IT DIDN'T WORK AS I EXPECTED. I WAS DRIVING A RENTED SUV-FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2009. THE CAR KEPT RUNNING UNTIL HIT THE LAST CAR IN THE ROW. ACCIDENT WAS NOT MY FAULT, I DIDN'T GET THE TICKET. IT WAS A RENTED CAR. NOW THE INSURANCE WILL TRY TO COLLECT FROM ME THE $1000 DEDUCTIBLE OF MY POLICY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE. AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS, LARGER RECALLS AND ARE GENERALLY LESS RELIABLE DAY BY DAY, AND WE PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR THEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Nov 10, 2008950 milesMO

THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO THE 2009 ESCAPE HYBRID MODEL ONLY. WHILE CHANGING OIL IN THE VEHICLE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE OIL FILLER TUBE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD (ONE OF THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE ENGINE BAY). I SPILLED A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL WHILE REFILLING (2 TABLESPOONS) AND NOTICED IT DROPPED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, WHICH HAS SOME CREASES AND FOLDS IN IT THAT CAN CATCH THE OIL AND POOL IT. EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT WAS STILL HOT ENOUGH TO START SMOKING SLIGHTLY. AFTER WIPING UP WHAT OIL I COULD WITH A RAG, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT BEGAN SMOKING AGAIN WITHIN 20 SECONDS. NO DOUBT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY WITHIN MINUTES HAD I NOT WIPED UP THE POOLED OIL FROM THE MANIFOLD. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2009 Ford Escape → · Every Escape year → · How the figures are calculated →