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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 8 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #136

Aug 232013

Escape

  • 95,000 miles

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

I was driving about 45 miles per hour, felt a jolt in the vehicle and acceleration began to decrease rapidly, no matter how hard I pressed on the gas. I luckily was at a low-traffic spot with a veer-off area nearby that I was able to coast over to with my four-ways on. I was able to avoid traffic. The throttle/powertrain light came on as the vehicle came to a stop. I was able to turn the vehicle off as it was lightly shaking, turn it back on with no issue, and slowly drive the vehicle about 3 miles to the nearest Ford dealership. They were able to (next day) verify my fears that it was the pending recall issue, the throttle body had gone bad. They replaced it for $620 (including labor) within 2 hours and told me to hold onto my receipt because there would most likely be a recall. They told me that they've replaced many of these lately. I'm very lucky that I wasn't on the highway with many vehicles moving at a high speed around me, or else I could have been injured if I couldn't find a place to pull off.

- Allentown, NJ, USA

problem #135

Aug 142013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
On Aug 14, 2013, I was headed home from work driving approximately 40 mph on flat land, when I lost acceleration power, I pulled over into a parking lot placed it in park where it ran very rough, the wrench indicator appeared, then I turned the car off, waited a few seconds and cranked the car and everything was fine again. Approximately 4 miles later in my trip the same situation happened, I was traveling about 50 mph and a slight incline. Approximately 7 miles later in my trip, while at a slight decline, traveling approximately 45 mph the same thing happened again. I then took my Escape to the shop. They had it for two days driving it about 25 miles and they could not get it to duplicate the problem. I picked up my Escape Friday August 16, 2013, night (after the shop closed) didn't make it 3 miles from the shop, while traveling at about 60 mph, I lost acceleration power, the wrench light came on, I pulled over put it in park and again very rough idle, turned it off waited a few seconds, cranked it back up and it drove fine with no issue until this morning August 23, 2013, while traveling at approximately 40 mph on a slight incline in traffic, I lost acceleration power, the wrench indicator light appeared, I pulled into the center gore put it in park - while in park it runs extremely rough, sputtering and spitting, turned it off, waited a few seconds and cranked it up and came on into work with no issues.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #134

Aug 222013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 67,153 miles
[xxx] I was driving 25-30 mph when motor went to idle, gas pedal didn't work and no power to transmission. This caused me to almost wreck. My fast thinking saved my life. I was able to steer the vehicle to a safe place in a major intersection. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ebensburg, PA, USA

problem #133

Aug 142013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

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

My wife owns a 2009 Ford Escape purchased new from a dealer and there have been so many issues with the vehicle I question if there wasn?T some type of flaw in the manufacturing process or at the very least, some type failure in the quality control process. Within weeks of purchasing this Ford Escape we had to take the vehicle back to the dealer for an oil leak and transmission problems. After 2 or 3 trips to the dealer, the oil leak was fixed but the transmission issues (2 overhauls and then replacement) continued for years. Thankfully, Ford covered and the dealer covered 2/3 of the cost of the second transmission overhaul and almost all of the cost for the transmission replacement. All of this work was completed at the Ford dealer ship in meter Georgia. Nice folks, we have no issue with the dealership. Approximately 6 months ago, due to low engine power and using oil, we had the vehicle worked on at a local shop. That total cost for repair was 1600 dollars. Last week due to a massive oil leak we had to have the vehicle towed in a local shop. The Ford Escape appears to have a cracked timing belt cover. Having never heard of a vehicle having a cracked timing belt cover, I decided to do some research; a cursory internet search reveals many, many complaints of 2009 Ford Escapes with cracked timing belt covers. For our vehicle this will make five major repairs and numerous minor issues in a vehicle not 4 years old!! there has to be some manufacturing process with these vehicles. VIN [xxx] 2009 Ford Escape XLS information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lyons, GA, USA

problem #132

Aug 212013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
While driving on the expressway at 70 mph the RPM dropped to approx. 900rpm. Pushing on the accelerator pedal didn't do anything. A indicator light on the dash came on it is the shape of a wrench. I had to pull the vehicle off the road. After I parked on the side of the road I shut off the engine and waited about 30 seconds then restarted the engine and everything was working fine. I went back onto the road and drove approx. 12 miles and it happened again. I repeated what I had done earlier and the vehicle was ok again. I got back on the road and I made it around 8 miles and I had another occurrence, again I repeated the shut off the engine on the side of the road and it again started and ran ok. Then I made it home!

- Mount Morris, MI, USA

problem #131

Aug 162013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Driving on the highway at aprox 60mph, the Escape lost speed and slowed down to 10pmh.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #130

Aug 182013

Escape

  • 74,323 miles

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

Sunday August 18, 2013 9:30 pm driving back from store on highway 17 wrench showed up on dash and car slowed down and came to a complete stop. I pushed the gas but nothing happened. Traffic was behind me a I feared getting hit. I was able to get to the side of the road to avoid an accident. Turned car off and waited for a few seconds. Turned key in ignition and car started and ran just fine. 8/19/13, driving daughter to school on highway 80 vehicle did the same thing but sputtered twice. Needless to say sheer pandemonium! daughter screaming and crying because highway 80 is very congested and the speed is 55 to 60 mph. Managed to get to side of highway, repeated what I did the night before and car started just fine, was able to get daughter to school and myself to work. 8/20/13, it happened again. On highway 80, got to side of road and started car up again. Got daughter to school and on the way to work car stopped again. Started car again and got to work -- called Ford and took car to shop. Had to start car gain as it slowed down and would only go no more than 5 mph. Car is at shop right now. Waiting for Ford to call me. Car is under warranty as I purchased the extended warranty package.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #129

Aug 092013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 52,756 miles
Driving on interstate, when car suddenly stopped. Could not accelerate. Coasted to shoulder of highway. Attempted to drive again and a few minutes later, the car stalled again. Called tow truck and had vehicle towed to nearest Ford dealer. Problem identified as failure of throttle body. Had to have replaced.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #128

Aug 172013

Escape

  • 74,698 miles
I was driving home and as I coasted to stop at a red light my truck started bouncing. The RPM dropped below 500 and the vehicle shut off. I put it in park and restarted and gave it some gas and it was fine until I made a right turn down a residential street and again killed itself. I had to repeat this till I got home.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #127

Aug 132013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 58,207 miles
I was on my way to work and was luckily on a frontage road when suddenly my 2009 Escape wouldn't accelerate. I pushed on the gas pedal, but nothing happened. Luckily I was able to coast down the hill and turn off onto a side road. The wrench symbol lit up and my car sputtered and shook. I said a prayer, waited a few minutes, started the car again, and was able to drive. I drove it about a mile down side streets to try and get it to my mechanic, but it did the same thing again and the check engine light came on. I said another prayer, started the car, turned off the A/C and was able to make it to my mechanic w/out further incident. They said that it could possibly be a few different things and since the parts are expensive, they didn't want to replace the part and not have that fix the issue, so I had to call a tow truck ($75) and have it towed to the closest Ford dealership. I didn't dare try to drive it to the dealership for fear that it would die on the way there and since the dealership is located off of highway 75 in mckinney, I couldn't risk it dying on such a busy highway w/ my daughter in the car with me. The dealership called and said it's an issue w/ the electronic throttle body. My car only has a little over 58,000 miles on it. As a single divorced mom who is struggling to make ends meet, it makes me very upset that I have to spend my hard earned money ($674) on fixing something that is obviously an ongoing issue w/ this make and model. This is completely unacceptable to not have a reliable vehicle when this is a known problem. I am not a happy customer. I shouldn't have to rely on luck and have to worry and stress every time I drive my car that it will die on me. Ford needs to step up and do the right thing and get this issue fixed as part of a recall B/C it is obviously unsafe and lots of Ford Escape owners are experiencing the same thing.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #126

Aug 132013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 71,570 miles

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

I was merging off of an exit ramp. I slowed down so I can enter traffic, and then when I accelerated, the car hesitated/lagged before surging me forward. This problem occurs often and has almost caused an accident. Sometimes it will happen when I'm completely stopped and then accelerate, or going up a hill.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #125

Aug 082012

Escape

  • 97,000 miles
I was driving on the NJ parkway when all of a sudden I had no gas peddle. I was doing 75 at time and truck started bucking was able to pull to side of road.. restarted it and went on my way. Since then I have stalled everyday to many to count.

- Point Pleasant, NJ, USA

problem #124

Jun 232013

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
While driving at a set speed of 55 mile per hour I experienced a jerk in the power train. The engine caution light illuminated with a notable complete loss of the ability to maintain speed. The cruise control disengaged the accelerator pedal failed to provide any input. I had to immediately move the far right out of traffic. There was no shoulder to slow down on. I had to place the car in neutral in the rough and slowly apply break until I stopped the vehicle. I left the car running and applied axel keratin pedal. No response. I then placed the transmission park. Shut off the engine. On the first attempt the car started but the engine cranked for about 5 seconds before stating. I placed the transmission in drive and when it was safe to renter traffic heading toward my destination. A few miles later the same thing occurred this time the car had another light illuminate along with the engine light. An open ended wrench.

- Wadesville, IN, USA

problem #123

Aug 092013

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle would not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The wrench light illuminated indicating a power train or a throttle failure. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and turned it off. After restarting the vehicle, the contact was able to drive without failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #122

Jul 262013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 90,500 miles
Car did not die, basically jumped a bit and would not go over 2 or 3 mph as I pressed gas pedal- wrench check light came on- had to turn off and restart - this happened again 2 times yesterday 8/9/2013-- no accident as of yet but extremely dangerous.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #121

Jul 272013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
I am so stressed ! I was driving Saturday morning July 27, 2013, on rt 287 South in morris county. NJ. my husband and I were in the middle lane of this very busy highway when he stepped on the gas pedal to accelerate- our 2009 Ford Escape did not accelerate- it stalled out at 70 miles per hour. The wrench light lit up on the dashboard and we had to pray that we could coast over to the right lane and then to the shoulder while trucks were zooming by. We called aaa for a tow to the local garage. At local garage, vehicle was kept for 9 days, test driving it, but had no incidents because wrench light never went back on. Was advised to contact Ford where I purchased vehicle.I called Ford.they could not see me for another week. I drove vehicle doing errands- 2 days later at a traffic light, I was making a left turn- truck sputters and dies upon acceleration. Wrench light goes on again. I now have to coast to the side of a busy main road and coast into an exit only shopping center, praying I do not have a head on collision. I spoke to friend who advised me to come to this web site. Lo and behold- over 350 complaints describing the same experience I had! this was clearly a defect in the model. I called Ford again, begging for an earlier appointment and was told that if I wanted to rent a car at my expense I could come in. They were out of loners! ( a car dealer-really? ) I waited for appointment, meanwhile check engine light goes on permanently 2 days later. Now I am petrified to drive my vehicle with the fear it is going to drop dead ! showed all info from this site to Ford and was told that this was not included in warranty or a recall. It was the throttle body - it cost me $567.10 for part and labor plus tax = $606.80. I should not have to pay for this- very dangerous situation with this part faulting out! and was told there is no recall at this time. I am angry!

- Boonton, NJ, USA

problem #120

Aug 062013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 98,684 miles
As we were driving down the road the car jerked and when I pressed the gas I wasn't gettin any at all so I pulled over to the side of the road and finally came to a stop. Tried pressing the gas and nothing. Shut the car off for a few minutes started it back up and it was normal again. Just not very happy because we are financing from a use lot and have only had it for 8 months.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #119

Aug 042013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
While driving the motor lost all throttle response and had to coast to a stop. Was diag as a bad throttle body.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #118

Jul 312013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
The vehicle jerked and then I started slowing down. I tried to accelerate but my vehicle continued slowing down. I pulled to the side of road & put vehicle in park, turned off the engine and restarted and was able to continue to my destination. It happened again on Aug. 2nd, 3rd and 5th, 2013. When it happened on Aug. 5th I was a block from home and the engine light came on that time. I turned the vehicle off and started it again & the engine light stayed on so I turned around and went home & parked it. I called my local Ford dealership & they picked it up and replaced the throttle body.

- Bainbridge, GA, USA

problem #117

Mar 062012

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
When the gas pedal is pushed there seems to be no gas going in there.the a motor actually goes from a normal sounding engine and it sounds like it drops down to a lower gear when this happens and I have to coast to park safely. Then I have to wait a half hour to start the vehicle up again and sometimes it will just conked out again. Now what its doing its getting it got worse and now I can only go maybe 5 minutes and it conk out again.

- Manchester, NJ, USA

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