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3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,251 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Mar 012015

Escape

  • 113,245 miles

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

Stalled out after stopping at a stop sign.

- Prescott , WI, USA

problem #33

Jan 092015

Escape

  • 56,000 miles
On the freeway pressed gas-car did not respond, stalling. Put it in neutral, slowed, back to drive, rough shaking, hard to control. Very scary! got off at the closest exit -car was not responding. 3 passengers. I bought this car 6 days prior-so very scary.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #32

Jun 032014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
It laid over and was powerless. It also was sputtering before the car laid over.

- Nashville, GA, USA

problem #31

Jul 232014

Escape

  • 86,000 miles

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

Ford 2009 Escape-car started making a squeal noise and belt started to come off and when looked to see the what was going on the cars mounting boss broke off of timing cover and fell to the ground. The idler puller mounting bolts broke from cover and caused car not to be able to be driven. When checked with dealer was told never heard of this happening. When purchased new part. The idler puller has more steel metal for support and another bolt to hold where as the old one does not. Pictures are available if need to be seen.

- Cleveland, IL, USA

problem #30

Oct 212013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 46,077 miles
On the way to school around 7:50 am, my son (new driver) stopped at a traffic light in the middle of our town. He was first in line. Once the light turned green, he pressed the gas pedal and the truck started to move forward slowly and then stopped in the middle of the intersection. He said he was pushing the gas pedal, but the engine wasn't responding. The engine was still running, so he tried pressing the pedal multiple times and still got no response. He put the truck in park and turned off the engine. He restarted the truck and the gas pedal began to respond and he was able to proceed through the intersection. Upon doing our own investigations and research, we had the throttle body replaced last weekend (not inexpensively). So far, the problem has not returned, but the incident has shaken our faith in that vehicle. We're very concerned that it could leave him in a very dangerous situation again. This seems to be a known and extremely dangerous problem. Please recall this vehicle and fix this part before someone is seriously and unnecessarily injured (or worse).

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #29

Nov 182013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 45,700 miles
While driving the vehicle lost power and wrench light came on. When came to a stop the vehicle ran rough at idle and surged. Car taken immediately to Ford and they misdiagnosed. After that it continued to do it multiple times on city streets and interstates. The car would have no power and the engine would not accelerate when I would step on gas. Had to shut the engine off and restart to make anything work. After that I took it to Ford again. This time they replaced throttle body-air intake and also throttle body and motor assembly.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #28

Nov 282013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 86,803 miles

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

Driving along, engine loses power, car is jerking, wrench light comes on, idles quickly. Coasted off side of road. Turn car off, turned back on - wrench light off - drive away as if nothing happened. Drive for another couple hours, same thing. This has happened quite a few times in the past 2 weeks.

- Alburtis, PA, USA

problem #27

Oct 152013

Escape

  • 71,000 miles
We have been having issues with the car since August of 2013. The car would lose power while driving slowing down to a crawl without notice. This issue happened about 5 times since that occurrence. Car has been in the shop 5 times since that time with about $2000 in repair bills that included engine work, new battery, new alternator, etc. The car was towed each time to mongos auto repair in cinnaminson NJ. On this occurrence I did a google search and found that this model is having common problems as per the above and the throttle body needs to be replaced to repair the issue. Mongos checked and there was a recall by Ford to repair this issue. We never received a recall notice from Ford. We were informed it would have been covered under the drive train warranty if the car had 60,000 miles or less. My wife drives the vehicle and was put into very dangerous situations due to this faulty defect in manufacturing. Can I contact someone about never receiving the recall and get reimbursed for the $2000 in repairs plus the new bill to replace the throttle body?

- Cinnaminson, NJ, USA

problem #26

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 #25

May 162013

Escape

  • 69,000 miles
Driving on interstate I-95 at approximately 60 miles per hour, car lost power & stalled. After pulling off the road onto shoulder, turned ignition off & restarted, driving away normally. This occurence has repeated itself 3 or 4 times since May.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #24

Jul 192013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles

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

While driving home from school my 2009 Ford Escape stalled, lost power and at 70 miles per hr on the interstate I made it to the side of the road once I lost all power and speed. I was alone in the car my wife and kids were home. I'm happy no one was hurt but this seems to be a very dangerous situation. I drove the car 2 more days in my rural area before deciding that it was not able to be driven anymore.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #23

May 072013

Escape 6-cyl Diesel

  • 79,818 miles
I purchased a 2009 Ford Escape from suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge on 5/7/13. My salesman [xxx]took me on test drive in the vehicle, which had 79818 miles on it. Right away, the vehicle began to putt-putt, and act like it doesn't want to accelerate, yet the RPM shot up. It ended up cutting off on us around the corner from the dealership. Rob managed to get it back started and told me he will have service dept check it out while I worked on paperwork with finance guy. From May 7th until the vehicle finally broken down for good on June 27th, the vehicle has continued to have problems, and cut off 5X since my purchase. I called [xxx] and told him that car is still not running well and he came to my job and pick up vehicle for service. He brought it back with a clean bill of health and even said don't worry, it has a warranty. Two weeks ago I called and spoke to [xxx], the used vehicle manager and told him that the vehicle had cut off on me at least (4) times and although they gave it a clean bill of health, I am still convinced that something is wrong. He told me to bring vehicle back in. I know that a vehicle should not get up to 4-5rpm's, especially a newer model vehicle, so I decided that I wanted to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer or anybody else because I didn't trust them to tell me the truth about what was really wrong with the vehicle. Unfortunately, I didn't make the time to get the car checked out and the result is that the vehicle is broke down, incapable of not moving except for a few feet before cutting off. I had the vehicle towed into the dealership on 6/27 I was told by the service dept that the throttle body was defective, and a new throttle body was not available and they are on back order with a month wait and that over 900 of them were being requested at this time and they don't understand why Ford has not put a recall on them. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #22

Jun 032013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 56,244 miles
Lost power while driving, applied pressure to the accelerator and nothing.after a year of intermittent problems with this I took it into Ford dealership and they diagnosed a faulty throttle body....trouble code P 2111.diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) P2111, throttle body stuck open. Its cost me us$275. I think Ford must be assume the cost because is car failure from fabric. Let me know about the recall for the NHTSA action number : DP12006.

- Santo Domingo, VI, USA

problem #21

May 152013

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
When I slow down to almost a stop or when I am stopped and starting to accelerate again the car engine shuts off. I then have to turn off the car and restart it. This happens sporadically with no warning. I have been told by Ford that it is the throttle body causing this issue.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #20

Jun 012013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
I was driving less than 20 miles an hour on a side street at 2:15 pm when the car decelerated or lost power and the yellow engine light began to flash - turned off engine started car again and it seemed to be fine but only went about 100 feet. Pulled into middle turn lane and put on flashers. After 10 minutes started car again and was able to drive 3/4 miles to our house. What if I was on the highway at a high speed and lost acceleration immediately" this could have been a tragic accident. Of course it was a weekend and Ford is not open..... will bring it in on Monday. This is the 2nd engine light issue in as many months - the first was a major repair to replace some kind of sensor. Engine repairs like this are unacceptable on a car with low mileage. We take the car into the Ford dealer for each checkup. Ford team seems to think it's my responsibility to pay for these issue. This was 30K plus car and I expect it to be safe and work everytime I drive it. I'm now very concerned for the safety of others as I see many reports of this on the internet. Why haven't this car been recalled????"

- Kannapolis, NC, USA

problem #19

May 122013

Escape 4-cyl

  • 55,063 miles
Truck failed to accelerate from a red light, with pedal completely engaged. Had continued loss power/thrust when I push the gas. This happens so often now, I am not comfortable driving in heavy traffic as I never know if I'll be able to accelerate. Sunday after finally getting home, I was unable to get it to stay cranked when I depress the gas pedal to reverse. This loss of power was exuberated by having the A/C running. First the timing cover leaks at 22, 761, then a pulley falls off the engine at 40,149 spraying oil all over my interior via the A/C. after the pulley was replaced the car would idle high and then started jerking as if it wanted to stall, took to Ford dealership and was told there were no codes, finally had the tech drive with me and he felt the jerking. After three visits for this, in November 2012 at 50,000 I was am told the coil pack needs to be replaced, now at 55, 063 miles I am told it is the throttle body that needs to be replaced" I think I was sold a lemon and in the state of Florida that's illegal. What if I am rear ended due to the horrible craftsmanship of your product"

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #18

Sep 202012

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,873 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while traveling at unknown speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was determined that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 52,873 and the current mileage was 57,000...updated 05/01/13 the consumer stated after stopping at a red light, he then proceeded to drive. The vehicle reached a speed of 30 mph, while going uphill, and then stalled. Updated 05/21/13

- Joliet , IL, USA

problem #17

Nov 152011

Escape

  • 41,000 miles
While driving on the highway the car lost power and luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road safely. The engine was running and everything appeared to be functioning properly. Since the car was no longer under warranty, I brought it to a repair shop and they were not able to reproduce the failure. When I brought the car to the Ford dealership they knew immediately what the problem was and replaced the "drive-by-wire" part; the service representative mentioned that they had seen this problem several times before.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #16

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 #15

Nov 162011

Escape

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph uphill when the check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle began to jerk with hesitation. The failure recurred whenever the contact encountered a slight grade or hill at any given speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Rutland, OH, USA

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