Is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid a bad year?
153 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Escape Hybrid years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid are in line with other Escape Hybrid years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Escape Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 105,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 70 (46%) | 71k–146k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 25 (16%) | 78k–109k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 15 (10%) | 51k–112k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 11 (7%) | 60k–111k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 9 (6%) | 52k–105k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 32 (21%) | 30k–99k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 17 (11%) | 55k–97k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 105,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 153 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle intermittently enters "Limp mode" Showing DTC P2112:00-64 code: P2112 - throttle actuator control system - stuck closed.
Throttle body replacement after repetitive wrench light, limp mode, and engine light.
Poor acceleration, lost power on highway. Would not accelerate with gas pedal pushed. Pulled over side and restart.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 105,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 3
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96…
If there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Pedestrian alert sounds
Loss of power steering while driving
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Neighbouring years
2008 Escape Hybrid: 443 complaints, consider selling · 2010 Escape Hybrid: 59 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Escape Hybrid year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Escape Hybrid years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid a bad year?
153 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Escape Hybrid years. At 105,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (70), engine (25), transmission and drivetrain (15), electrical system (11), fuel system (9).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.