34 of the 2,349 complaints about the 2009 Ford Escape are about the body and structure — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,000 miles.
34
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was severe rusting and rot on the frame rail. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,500
NHTSA complaint #11723370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The subframe is rusted. There is an actual hole in the subframe. Yes, as of today, it is available for inspection. It has been put on a lift and looked at by an independent service center, which deemed it unsafe to drive. Because of this costly issue, the vehicle has been parked and not driven, leaving me without transportation as I cannot afford to replace an entire subframe as patching doesn’t seem to be an option due to the amount of rust.
NHTSA complaint #11684191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Steering torque sensor failed Can not be driven . Subframe rusted out. Unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11632360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, who determined that the passenger-side front subframe was rotten. The front and rear underbody were rotten. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11625287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, who determined that the passenger-side front subframe was rotten. The front and rear underbody were rotten. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11625287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Was informed during inspection the subframe is rusted very badly and could fail. In doing research the 2009 Ford escape has had these recalled for this specific reason that the subframe components were not properly coated causing rust and failure. My VIN isn't on the list after speaking to Ford. My next step is to address you to see if it needed to get added as it is exact nature of the original 2006 subframe recall that mine is not a part of yet needs to be
NHTSA complaint #11537019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The passenger rear panel paint is bubbling and has rust under the bubbled paint. This is a defect noticed on all the Ford Escapes that I see in parking lots and pre owned vehicle lots. This is a factory defect that I and a lot of other Escape owners feel the manufacturer should take responsibility for and recall the issue so we can get our vehicles fixed. The cost to do it is not covered under my insurance. The safety of others is if you have small kids that are near the vehicle can get rust in their mouth if they touch the area that the bubbled paint has fallen off. The child could touch the bubble, the paint comes off the vehicle and they put it in their mouth. The chips of paint if they try to swallow them could cut their throat trying to swallow the paint chip. The bubble was noticed after owning the vehicle for a year. When I asked at a dealership they mentioned that this is a flaw with the Escapes and nothing can be done about it other than taking it to a body shop and have them remove the rust and paint the quarter panel. That is very expensive.
NHTSA complaint #11458457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The front sub frame rusted out on the passenger side. The is a 1inch by 5 inch hole in the sub frame. The lower control arm could have come off and the whole spindle and tire could have come off the vehicle while driving. Haggerty Ford iin West Chicago, Il noticed the large hole while doing an inspection for an oil change.
NHTSA complaint #11445590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Never again with a Ford. Had a life threatening incident. K frame completely rusted out, making front passenger tire wobble and almost fall off. I was driving 65 mph and it started. Took to shop immediately to find gapping holes in k frame. Ford should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. Have read about previous complaints of this SAFETY issue with other years and people. I cannot afford repair I am on disability and now stuck without a vehicle. When I tried to break, abs and traction control came on. Was checked and mechanic said abs module failed also. Repairs are beyond what I can afford and I could have been killed along with others. I may call an attorney because k frame/ engine sub frame should last life of vehicle. Not take a life. I also had Huge safety issue with my Taurus, a few years ago, filed a complaint with you for this problem also. Nothing was done. I should have learned my lesson. Ford does not care, why can they get away with this , I saw the class action lawsuit results for other years with same issue. What a joke. Our government is failing us letting auto makers get away with these type of incidents.
NHTSA complaint #11437954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The hinges on the glass for the tail lift corroded causing the back window to drop. This poses a safety hazard when driving or opening the back window on the tail lift.
NHTSA complaint #11423999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE SUBFRAME IS CORRODED AND RUSTED. THIS COULD CAUSE A WHEEL TO COME APART FROM THE FRAME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF WE DRIVE IT OVER 55 MILES AN HOUR. HER CAR SHAKES WHEN SHE IS BRAKING - AND RATTLES CONSTANTILY. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL ON 'SOME' 2009 FORD ESCAPES, HOWEVER OURS DOES NOT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY THEREFORE FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS. THE FIX FOR THEM IS A SIMPLE BRACKET MOUNTED UNDER THE CAR TO HOLD THE FRAME TOGETHER, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT THE DESIRED FIX TO KEEP MY DAUGHTER SAFE, IT IS A FIX. THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER IS SITTING ON TOP OF THE SUBFRAME CORRODING IT, I HAVE RESEARCHED WHY IT'S HAPPENING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND BECAUSE OUR CAR'S VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE VEHICLES THEY HAVE ON FILE, THEY STATE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. MY 19 YEAR OLD IS DRIVING THIS CAR AND IT IS NOT SAFE. FOR ME TO GET IT FIXED WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2000 AND IF THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE, FORD SHOULD FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11415819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
RUST CAUSED FAILURE OF SUB FRAME. EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF REAR FRAME, SHOCK MOUNTS AND DRIVE TRAIN. VEHICLE WAS NEVER SUBMERGED AND HAD 64,692 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11328512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
IT WAS A HEAVY RAINY NIGHT WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED ACTING UP WITH THEIR RHYTHM MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THROUGH A SLIGHTLY BLURRED WINDSHIELD THEN WINDSHIELD & SUNROOF STARTS LEAKING WATER ALL OVER ME,INSIDE THE FRONT LIGHT SWITCH,DOWN INTO FLOOR BOARDS PLUS ALL IN THE SEATS !! IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GO AROUND A FEW CURVES WHEN BRAKES ACTED LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT ME TO STOP SCARY. KEY IS HARD & STICKY FEELING TO TURN IN IGNITION CYLINDER THEREFORE MAKING THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT BEING ABLE TO CATCH ANY VOLTAGE AT ALL TO START THE ENGINE..AFTER A MILLION TRIES IT'LL FINALLY START.. IT STILL LEAKS,VERY HARD TO START & REPLACING BRAKES AGAIN...
NHTSA complaint #11307848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND RUSTING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER HONDRU FORD(300 S. MAIN ST. MANHEIM PA.) AND THE MANUFACTURER CASE (XXX) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. *LN ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')
NHTSA complaint #11299451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES WERE FRACTURED ON THE TAILGATE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBURBAN FORD OF STERLING HEIGHTS AT 586-268-7500 (LOCATED AT 40333 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11142248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT JUNE 8TH 2018 WHERE MY SUV WAS TOTALED OUT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY SO I'M TRYING TO SEE WHAT HELP CAN I GET. I WAS MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE SUV. I HIT MY HEAD BAD NOW I SUFFER HEAD ISSUES THAT I'M GETTING TREATED FOR ALSO I HAD A PASSENGER WHO WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #11102896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1. REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE CORRODED AND SNAPPED OFF, LEAVING GLASS DANGEROUSLY HANGING ON ONE HINGE. 2. TRUNK INOPERABLE DUE TO TRUNK OPERATING VIA ELECTRIC PATCH AND NO LONGER RECEIVING ELECTRIC SIGNAL. 3. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTING.
NHTSA complaint #11102379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE GLASS FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BOLTS AND HINGES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,925. UPDATED 01/10/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10908297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE LIFTGATE GLASS FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BOLTS AND HINGES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,925. UPDATED 01/10/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10908297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
2009 FORD ESCAPE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES HAVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE RIGHT HINGE HAS BROKEN OFF AND CRUMBLED AT THE CENTER OF THE HINGE. THIS OCCURRED AT 150,000 MILES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF AFTER LEAVING A SHOPPING PLAZA. THE WINDOW THEN IS ONLY SUPPORTED BY ONE HINGE, AND THE LIFT SUPPORT BARS.
NHTSA complaint #10882048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LIFTGATE WINDOW DETACHED AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #10853455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PREMATURE RUST ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND HAVE WAXED IT ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE BUT YET THE RUST HAS BECOME A PROBLEM DUE TO A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN DEFECT. (WHITE FORD ESCAPE).
NHTSA complaint #10705247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE, THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE TO THE LIFTGATE WINDOW FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10638612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW AND UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10628860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS A KNOWN THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPE 2009, WHERE THE TRUCK GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" INDICATED BY AN ILLUMINATED WRENCH. I HAD JUST TAKEN IT IN FOR THIS ISSUE, FORD ONLY DID THE RECALIBRATION AND DID NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. THE NEXT DAY WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "WRENCH MODE" OR "ENHANCED LIMP MODE (SINCE THE RECALIBRATION)" AND LURCHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS ~$5K, RENTAL CAR $500, DEDUCTIBLE $100, HIGHER INSURANCE, STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (PERMANENT LOSS OF VALUE).
NHTSA complaint #10626347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE REAR GLASS HATCH HINGES HAVE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND MY REAR WINDOW IS READY TO FALL OFF. FORD HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME TO SUCK IT UP AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A CLEAR ISSUE ON FORD SUVS DATING BACK TO AT LEAST 2002. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I AM BEING FORCED TO PAY $260 FOR PARTS AND THEN WHATEVER LABOR MIGHT BE WHEN MY WINDOW IS READY TO COME CRASHING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10618370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10535284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
REAR SWAYBAR SUBFRAME MOUNT BRACKET DETACHED FROM SUBFRAME WELDING. FAULTY WELDING IS THE DEFECT AND CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10520290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
LIFTGATE WILL NOT OPEN. GLASS DOOR WILL OPEN. POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10505174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4 FINALLY QUIT OPENING. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR NUMEROUS ISSUES AND ALWAYS MENTIONED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH NOT ALWAYS OPENING BUT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW 5000 MILES OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. IT USED TO 'HANG UP AND NOT OPEN ON OCCASION, BUT NOW APPEARS TO BE PERMANENT. WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE CUSTOMERS PAID BETWEEN $250.00 AND $700.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY REQUESTING THEY REPAIR THE LIFT GATE SINCE IT HAD BEEN REPORTED WHEN ORIGINALLY UNDER WARRANTY, ONLY TO BE ADVISED TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, AND SAVE MY RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE EVER IS A RECALL. (I FIND THIS STATEMENT INTERESTING BECAUSE IT MEANS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM). THE ONLY LATCH ON THE LIFT GATE IS A BUTTON ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE, THERE IS NO LATCH INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO MANUALLY OPEN IT. I CONSIDER THIS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10436227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.