2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 70about this part
- Share
- 46%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 70 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, 46% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Upon start vehicle would loose power steering. We would turn the car off and restart and power steering would be working again. Problem begin happening more frequently. After a couple of weeks, took into local dealership and determined we needed a new steering column assembly. Known issue with the 09 Ford escape and when I spoke with customer service, Ford was unwilling to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #11045588, filed 2017-11, 137,000 miles“Total power steering failure on start up when backing out of driveway. The power steering has been intermittent since then. Seems most likely to fail when cold. So far it has started working once warmed up and restarted. The vehicle is very hard to control when the power steering is not working. I'm concerned it will fail while driving and cause an accident. I plan on taking it to the dealership today.”
NHTSA complaint #10652993, filed 2014-11, 96,700 miles“I was driving low speeds in a parking lot and crashed due to a power steering failure. I was trying to turn 90 degrees but it was extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel even with both arms. I had a low-speed crash that wrecked my front end. I checked with Ford dealer but they stated the power steering recall did not apply to my Ford Escape Hybrid. I'm disappointed that the same faulty steering system in my hybrid is not covered.”
NHTSA complaint #10872091, filed 2016-06, 110,000 miles“I was driving to work. The powertrain light came on, my car started jerking. It wouldn't accelerate and the steering wheel became difficult to control. I had to pull to the side of the road. I turned off the ignition and restarted it. It was ok. That has happened twice since that first incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10547049, filed 2013-10, 72,715 miles“Thought I felt something strange in the steering while traveling at over 60mph around a curve on the freeway. 10 minutes down the road and after turning into driveway the steering suddenly failed. I almost hit the entry gate. Steering became very stiff like driving a tank, the eps system completely failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10472672, filed 2012-08, 39,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 13% |
| 2011 | 14 | 38% |
| 2010 | 18 | 31% |
| 2009 | 70 | 46% |
| 2008 | 110 | 25% |
| 2007 | 12 | 10% |
| 2006 | 24 | 11% |
| 2005 | 21 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
32 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology