Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Ford Escape has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,693 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V284000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10E043000 AFTERMARKET SEAT COVER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 828 complaints
- Power Train 301 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 279 complaints
- Engine 254 complaints
- Electrical System 143 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 116 complaints
Of the 1,693 complaints on file, 34 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 1,693 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$6,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Ford Escape has an average reliability rating due to a substantial number of complaints, primarily concerning steering and power train issues. The three recall campaigns indicate some systemic concerns, especially with the Electric Power Assist Steering. However, the evidence is mainly from owner complaints rather than widespread product defects, providing a mixed reliability picture.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| power train | 70,000–110,000 miles | $700–$2,500 | common |
| engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $800–$3,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Coolant replacement every 50,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Loss of steering assist
- Transmission slipping
- Engine misfiring
- Unusual vehicle vibrations
- Delayed throttle response
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.