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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Ford Escape HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 153 owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Most complaints involve steering (70) and engine (24). The EPA rates it 28–32 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
28–32mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
153
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

153 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2009 – Jul 2026
  1. Steering70
  2. Engine24
  3. Service brakes21
  4. Vehicle speed control17
  5. Power train15
  6. Electrical system11
  7. Fuel/propulsion system9
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  9. Visibility3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escape Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20051,584
2006720
2007393
20082,417
2009153
20102,130
20111,334
2012600
2020290
2021363
202270
202324
20244
20251
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

70 reports1 crash
“Car steering torque sensor not working properly causing power steering assist to be lost compromising electric power steering (eps) assist and increasing the risk of an accident. Ford has a recall 14S05/2014-193, but they are saying my car is not included on this recall at this time although it is exactly the same issue I am having now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2026SteeringODI 11753983

Engine

24 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BEING DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. JACK MADDEN FORD (825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781) 762-4200) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 18072344F8W3R8. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2019EngineODI 11231339

Service brakes

21 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKING SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REFERRED TO LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER NICK MAYER LINCOLN WESTLAKE LOCATED AT 24400 CENTER RIDGE RD, WESTLAKE, OH 44145, (440) 835-3700, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND MODULE AND ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2020Service brakesODI 11352292
All 2009 Escape Hybrid problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape Hybrid FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
343132$1,950278
Escape Hybrid 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
292728$2,200317
  • Escape Hybrid FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    34 city · 31 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Escape Hybrid 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    29 city · 27 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5131
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Escape Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 153 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (70), engine (24), service brakes (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid at 28–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026