The Lemon Index2009 Ford Escape.
The 2009 Ford Escape is about average by owner complaints: 143 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 103, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 20 to 32 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,846 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 59K to 130K miles on the car (1,556 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 88K–150K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 43K–86K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 53K–91K miles
Recalls 3
- suspension 2015
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.
- steering 2014
The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
- equipment 2010
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The transmission may leak fluid from a seal
- Illuminated mil or safety stop now message, or a no
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedLoss of power steering while driving2015–2018
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2013–2014
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2012–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The gas pedal of the Escape (2009 Model) vibrates when accelerates to about 45 mph. It happens frequently.
2009 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10308355
More owner reports
At the shift level of 40 to 45 mph the gas pedal vibrates. It is most pronounced during the first shift of the day.
NHTSA complaint 10311976
Repeated transmission shift issues, vehicle will shift extremely hard, especially in stop and go traffic. Sometimes vehicle has a hard time switching into reverse.
NHTSA complaint 10442512
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Escape reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 103; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), speed control (15%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape have?
3 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Escape get?
20 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 59,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 90,000 miles, from 1,556 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Escape have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works