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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,503 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 13 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #36

Feb 132013

Escape

  • 33,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 2009 Ford Escape is stalling and surging. The Escape suddenly decelerates like it is stalling out, on other occasions it accelerates and revs the engine really high then drops back down.

- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #35

Jan 262013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
My Ford Escape 2009 keeps losing acceleration ability. The first time it happened I was only going 25 on a residential road so I was able to pull over easily. Wrench light is on, I turn car off and restart and acceleration is fine. The next time I was pulling out of my driveway again turn car off wait turn car on and I'm fine next time heading home from work on a very busy street happened in the intersection had to get over limped into a quick trip turned off then back on works fine. But who is to say this won't happen when I am trying to turn against traffic I would be in a serious wreck. Took it to the dealership the mechanic could not get a code off the computer. They are still trying but when a women (myself) mentions throttle body they try to say no that couldn't be it.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #34

Sep 082012

Escape

  • miles
2009 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to acceleration problems. The consumer stated she was driving in the city, at 50 mph, when suddenly the vehicle failed to accelerate. Her foot was all the way to the floor, but it would not accelerate. She also noticed two symbols, a gas and a wrench light, appeared on the left side of the dashboard. She was able to pull over, and turned the engine off. Shortly after she turned the engine off and started it again, she was able to drive without any problem. She contacted the dealer, and was advised to monitor the situation. On December 21, 2012, as she was driving 40 mph in the city, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate again. At that time, only the symbol of the wrench appeared on the left side of the dashboard. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection, only to be told, they could not find a problem.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #33

Jan 082013

Escape

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stop and speed up and not want to move had to replace throttle body unit.

- St Ann , MO, USA

problem #32

Jan 072013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 69,532 miles
This happened first on January 7 and again today jjnuary 10, 2013. The car suddenly stops. The yellow wrench warning light comes on and indicates throttle control problem. Can turn car off and restart and drive normally. It was very scary as my wife was left in the dark in the middle of a busy street. It seems to be very intermiitent. I have read others reports of this and Ford apparently is not taking action. This is very dangerous situation which many have reported.

- Pendleton, IN, USA

problem #31

Sep 072012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
My vehicle will be driving fine until suddenly the car losses the ability to accelerate and the "wrench" light appears and the engine shakes forcefully. At that time I power the vehicle off and restart it. When it restarts the engine shakes for like 30 seconds and then the car proceeds to drive normal until the next incident occurs. At the time I was driving on a busy road at about 50 miles per hour. This has happened on several occasions. I was on the highway driving 65 and it has happened. I have three kids and this is extremely dangerous.

- Darien, IL, USA

problem #30

Dec 182012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving and wrench light came on at the same time that the vehicle lost power. This had happened previously on 11/25/12 and the dealer repair was replacing both vct solenoids and valve cover gaskets. Both times when this had happened before I turned the engine off and restarted after 3-5 minutes. I was able to go another 6-8 miles and then the wrench light came back on. The second time, the check engine light came on and then seconds later 8 other lights were lit on the dash. I turned the engine off after coasting to the median of the highway (was in left lane with traffic at 55mph) and waited for a tow from the dealer. Now the dealer is telling me this repair (replacement of throttle body) is not covered as the vehicle is more than 3 years old (actually, I've had it for 44 months). I want Ford to pay for this repair as it seems rather common from what I'm seeing on-line.

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

problem #29

Dec 022012

Escape

  • 83,000 miles
Was on road.car just stop accelerating light came on, pulled to side of road. Turned off. Restarted and worked find for a couple of days. Now have to deal with every other day. Called dealership, and they said I need to pay for repair. It should be a recall. Has happened alot to people.

- Williamsburg, OH, USA

problem #28

Dec 072012

Escape

  • 54,000 miles
Was driving on the interstate and the car stopped responding to the gas pedal. Car had to be towed to a Ford dealer, where it was determined the throttle body is bad and has to be replaced to the tune of $350. A google search reveals this is a known problem, there just hasn't been a formal recall yet.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #27

Sep 212012

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
My Ford Escape 2009 keeps losing acceleration ability. The first time it happened I was only going 25 on a residential road so I was able to pull over easily. Wrench light is on, I turn car off and restart and acceleration is fine. The next time I was out of traveling out of town on the interstate at 60 mph when engine began to decelerate, luckily I was able to pull over to emergency lane. Again I turned car off and when I turned it back on everything seem to return to normal. I had the car towed because I did not feel safe continuing to drive it. The mechanic could not get a code off the computer. The mechanic drove it and was unable to get problem to occur. I had to pick up the car with no resolution. I risked my life and drove it home. It happened again on the way home. I will not be driving my car again until this is resolved. It seems Ford is aware of this problem with the throttle body. If someone is injured or killed because of this issue Ford will be held liable. Ford you have been officially notified of this hazardous malfunction and legally are now responsible for the outcome.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #26

Oct 302012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulling out into traffic while stopped, pressed gas peddle car rolled but not strong, hesitated as I had told Ford dealer, had to slam brakes so car would not go, by then upcoming car was to close. No accident but scared me. This happens often. Not safe to have passengers, or myself. Many complaints to Ford but nothing done about it.

- Stamford , VT, USA

problem #25

Oct 232012

Escape

  • 60,600 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle made a noise and the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to the a dealer for inspection and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was 60,600. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lemars, IA, USA

problem #24

Feb 222012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 32,900 miles
In February 2012 (mileage approx 32900), I experienced jerking upon accelerating as my 2009 Ford Escape was changing gears. The dealer assessed it as a computer malfunction and reprogrammed the computer. My wife and I have had intermittent problems with jerking upon accelerating since. Then, on 10/20/2012 (mileage approx 38000), the vehicle stalled when my wife was accelerating to enter traffic on the interstate highway. Thankfully, she was able to get out of traffic without getting hit, and she and our 18 month old are ok. The dealership is replacing the throttle body. Not only was acceleration a problem, the seals on the front axle broke and spilled axle fluid on the drivers side, so the dealer is refilling the axle fluid and replacing the seals.

- Windcrest, TX, USA

problem #23

Oct 092012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 37,500 miles
I was driving on the interstate when I started to lose power and the throttle control/drivetrain light came on. I pulled to the berm and the engine felt like it was missing and it would not respond when I pressed the accelerator. I turned the vehicle off, waited and then turned it back on. The light was off and it ran okay. I continued to work with no further problems. On the way home from work the exact same thing occurred only traffic was much heavier on the interstate so getting to the berm was much more hazardous. I turned it off and then back on and it ran okay again. I contacted my local Ford dealer and was able to schedule an appt for the next evening. The next day on the way to work the vehicle did the same thing as I pulled into an intersection. Traffic was light so I was able to stop turn it off and then back on and it ran okay. I took it to the dealer that evening and they kept it so their service dept could analysis the problem. The next evening they contacted me and advised they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. I picked it up and drove it to work and home the next day with no problem. The following day it occurred again and I contacted the dealer and they had me bring it in. I was approx. 15 miles from the dealership when I contacted them and the vehicle did the same thing 2 more times before I could get to the dealership, once in an intersection and once on the interstate. After they analyzed it again they advised me it was the throttle body actuator (code P2111 throttle body actuator stuck open forced to limit power) the vehicle has just over 37,500 miles on it so it is not covered by warranty. Looking on the web and the NHTSA website this doesn't appear unique to my vehicle. Since this occurs without any warning and has happened at very inopportune times this looks to be a safety concern.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #22

Oct 132012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Shortly after entering highway on dark rainy evening, with no fore warning, car began to shake and lose power. Was able to pull to side of highway. Even though I was pressing on the gas, car would not go forward. Wrench light was illuminated on the dashboard. Called for assistance. When help arrived they suggested I turn off vehicle. When I turned back on, car was fine. The next day, with no warning, same thing occurs on neighborhood road. When we took to Ford dealer today, the problem did not repeat so they have no repair code. This is a very dangerous situation....could lead to accident on highway...I have to drive 17 miles to work on highway and I am scared.

- Westlake, OH, USA

problem #21

Jul 302012

Escape

  • miles
The car jerks forward without pressing the gas pedal. When switching from reverse to drive it jerks forward also. I just read an article that talks about the same type of problem with other Ford Escapes.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #20

Sep 272012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
We were driving our Escape back from the store and all of the sudden it lost power and the throttle did not respond, this happened several times over the next few days. We took it to the shop and found out the throttle body was bad, there is no reason the throttle body should fail at all much less in a newer model car with low mileage. Had we been pulling out on to a road we could have been involved in an accident! I don't think ours is an isolated indecent from what I have read online.

- Nicholasville, KY, USA

problem #19

Jul 262012

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,486 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated the instructions in the manual indicated that if the vehicle was on the vehicle could be towed in neutral gear for six at 65 mph. The vehicle was towed behind the motor home and the transmission fluid and the engine overheated; therefore, the vehicle would not start. The contact installed an auxilary pump to keep the fluid from over heating; otherwise, the transmission had to be replaced. The manufacturer stated the pump would void the warranty. The contact stated the vehicle was sold as vehicle that could be towed. The vehicle did not overheat after the pump was added. The failure mileage was 65. The current mileage was 60,000. Updated 11/07/12 the consumer stated the manufacturer offered $800 for good will.updated 11/07/2012

- Kalkaska, MI, USA

problem #18

Sep 012012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 88,682 miles
Had just come over the tn river bridge on I40 East in tn and was approaching mile marker 137 when the vehicle became non responsive to throttle with no dash indication lights. At first I thought fuel pump shut down because acceleration did not work. I knew the engine was still running by RPM and power steering worked. The vehicle was coasting in the left lane and there was traffic behind, in front and in right lane. I turned on hazard lights in hopes of warning the traffic around me. The semi behind me had to slow also and I could not change lanes at moment. Contemplating going left into the median and maybe striking an upcoming bridge rail or wait for open right lane and get to right side of interstate. I had an opening and turned off hazard flasher and then gave a right blinker, cutting off the semi behind who was trying to go around me. At that moment I thought we would get hit. Pulled over and the wrench light came on and no check engine light. Vehicle idled bad like a misfire and RPM gauge went up and down unsteadily. I videoed the fluctuation while pulled over. Turned car off and restarted no problem. Problem came back again 74 miles later in nashville at 88756 miles. At that point on I440E and I65 split the vehicle, without warning, shutdown again, became non responsive to throttle. Then the wrench light and check engine light came on and I pulled over videoed the fluctuating gauges. Turned vehicle off and restarted and lights went off and proceeded to crown Ford on thompson lane and the service dept was closed. This issue also happened 5 times on 9-3-2012, between mileage 89,9002 to 89,1181, while in Alabama/tn. Example going uphill, and also coasting into someones driveway at night. This vehicle still currently has the trans flare issue even after two PCM reflash. But Ford cant get it to act up. I thought maybe this issue was related.

- Bell Buckle, TN, USA

problem #17

Aug 192012

Escape

  • 31,000 miles
I was driving when all of a sudden the car shook slightly and then there was no more power from pushing the gas pedal and the powertrain warning symbol came on (picture of a wrench) and I was just coasting; I pulled off the road and put in park, when I put it back in drive, again nothing happened when I stepped on the gas, it would just coast. I finally turned off the ignition, waited a minute and turned it back on, and it worked and there was no warning symbol on. I saw on internet later that several people have had the same issue. I took to the dealer the next morning, he mentioned possibly the "throttle body" but then after they checked it, they said nothing indicated a problem, and the computer did not even indicate that warning light had been on, so there was nothing they could do. There is even a video on youtube about someone having this issue. I am scared it will happen again.

- Fishers, IN, USA

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