The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 898 of 1,846 complaints (49%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 2,417 in 2008 to 1,846 in 2009.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,846
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,950–$3,100
- Combined MPG
- 20–32
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–3,300 | 1,950–3,300 | 1,950–3,100 | 1,950–3,100 | 1,950–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–30 | 19–32 | 20–32 | 20–32 | 20–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–31 / 21–29 | 17–34 / 22–30 | 17–34 / 24–31 | 18–34 / 23–31 | 18–34 / 23–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 296–468 | 278–468 | 278–444 | 278–444 | 278–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 393 | 2,417 | 1,846 | 2,130 | 1,356 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 72 | 40 | 32 | 41 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 45 | 18 | 23 | 39 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Ford Escape?
Steering: 898 of 1,846 NHTSA complaints (49%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates it 20–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Ford Escape?
EPA estimates $1,950–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 34 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 317 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 315 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 316 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 212 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 154 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| Brakes | 163 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 898 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 298 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 35 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 63 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
- Defect
- The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- Consequence
- Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
- Consequence
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
EQUIPMENT
- Defect
- MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
- Consequence
- AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
- Remedy
- MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.