Used 2009 Ford Escape Consumer Reviews
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Hey! LOOK at me on the side of the road!
Rent before you buy. It is really noisy inside and it just gets worse over the years. Bluetooth would not work took car in to get repaired twice. We got the car back at closing and half the dashboard had no lights. After the second time the interior lights blinked like Christmas and they said "that was all they could do. The center column lights still out. We owned a 1998 Ford and after about 2-3 years you can't see the road because the headlights are corroded. Same with the 2009 Ford.
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Dont't buy it
This is my first and last ford. I wanted to buy an American made car and unfortunately I made a huge mistake. I travel for my work and need a reliable comfortable, roomy and efficient vehicle. I bought my 2009 ford escape in July and now its October and the vehicle has 14,500 miles on it and is broke down 400 miles away from where I live. I live in Birmingham and my transmission went out in Natchez MS and the car is still there. Not only is the vehicle not reliable but ford fought with me on honoring the warranty on the faulty car they sold me! I am disgusted with the way they've handled my situation and will NEVER buy another ford. I would NOT RECOMMEND anyone to buy an Escape or a ford
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,50030 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,99548 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,49755 mi away
The worst new car I've ever had
I wanted to buy American. Unfortunately I think I picked the wrong manufacturer for a small SUV. The build quality is horrible. The shut lines on the doors are way to big and inconsistent. I can fit my finger in the one at the top of the back hatch. The rear folding seat design is horrible. The interior is cheap and plastic abundant. The rear window sounds like it is going to fall out. The rear suspension booms over anything but the smallest bumps. The doors don't shut fully unless you slam them. I could go on and on. I can't deny the fact that it gets good gas mileage for an SUV. "Drive Quality" clearly does not apply to the Escape. Maybe I'll let the bank repo it since their is no resale
Greatest vehicle made!!
excellent ride, very powerfull, looks sporty! this is a great vehicle made by ford! dont let the transmision problems scare you away from this great vehicle. ive had mine since new and have never had a single problem with it! ive checked into it also, and if you have a problem with your tranny more then likely it will be covered under factory warranty(not sure why people are complaining). dont waste your time with a chevy equinox, dodge nitro, or toyota rav4. this vehicle is the nicest for the money. and the most powerful as well. i had a 2010 didge nitro and traded it for this 2009 ford escape. gas mileage is awesome. if u wanna have problems buy a dodge nitro.
engine is junk
my engine needs replacing with only 67000 miles. The dealer did all the service. Ford engines are not very reliable.
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Nice to drive but.....
The vehicle has massive blind spots behind the driver and on the passenger side and miniscule rear window. They have very thoughtfully placed the spare tire under the SUV but then put the jack under the cargo area in the. WTF were they thinking. Also there is no gas cap. There is no way to lock the gas cap as there is not one. I brought this up as I lost most of a tank of gas in a Savannah, GA parking garage because of this. The cargo carrier on top is almost useless. With the height of the vehicle and the placement of the doors it makes tying something on unpleasant to say the least. Road noise is high. I have the Sync package and people can hear it through the phone.
Looks Great and Very Reliable!
My 09 Escape has far exceeded what I expected. Unlike the review, this is a very reliable SUV, no problems at all through 50K+ miles, good pickup when I need it, average 22 to 23 MPG, (actually tracked via receipts) despite pulling a trailer quite often. Had a front and rear end wreck, not my fault, the car behind was totalled, the truck in front was damaged, my Escape got new bumpers and lights and some body work! It's quiet inside, unlike my just traded in Honda Pilot. Engine has a perfect sound when you floor it otherwise, it has a understated gentle purr that I like. The 2nd. row is much easier to fold down than Edmunds would have you believe, and, it's made in K.C., MO, USA!
Growing Pains
I have enjoyed driving the Escape, but disappointed in its reliability. A bad wheel bearing was replaced at 3000 miles. A part for the steering wheel shaft was ordered at the same time. The airtime/rollercoaster feeling when driving over 'dips' in country roads was unexpected. Removable cup holders and easy to vacuum interior makes upkeep of the interior simple. Folding down the rear seats is easy, but I have had to search for the seat belts after setting the seats back up. Currently, 26mpg is it's avg highway mileage, I expect to see this increase with the recent repairs. Finally, I keep window cleaner in the suv due to significant drop in visability with any dirt on the windshield.
so far so good
I love having my new car. I had to turn in my honda accord leased car yesterday after already having my ford escape for a month, and I hated just driving the honda down to the dealership. it felt so foreign. the fuel started out at 16.7 mpg according to the computer on the car, and now I am at 20.2 mpg. i (along w/ my kids) love the ambiant lights, the leather (I am a vegetarian, and didnt want leather originally) I love the stereo, and the way the car drives.
Lots of Shopping and Love it!
So I did A LOT of shopping - a lot. Looked at the CR-V, RAV-4 and Escape, with my initial thoughts of going with the CR-V, however I hated the middle console and finally ended up with the Escape. I Love it - great gas milage (@ 26 average) huge fan of the console and the sync technology. Drives very well for a 4 cyl. after coming from a V6 its actually great. My decision had a lot to deal with how I felt in the car rather than what everyone else said - go with your gut!
I didn't need this
I bought the car at 100,000 miles and it was due to all the amazing reviews on it. I feel stupid. It broke down on me with a blown transmission 6 months after I bought it. Im excellent with my cars and took its to have it looked at right after i bought it and this was all a matter of time as said by my mechanic. Do yourself a favor. If your looking for a used SUV and your a college student who can't really afford 3,500$ for a new transmission, get a Honda CR-V.
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Comfortable fun, but........
Bought the 2009 Escape as a replacement for our 1998 F150 that was super reliable. The Escape is comfortable and the V6 is powerful and economical delivering about 22 in mixed driving. However quality leaves much to be desired, the transmission started leaking right before the warranty expired and was fixed under warranty. The throttle body failed at 44000, costing 400 to replace I might mention out of all the cars I have owned I have never ever had a throttle body fail! I really question our decision to buy the Escape and curious as to what other problems will surface, I will be hesitant to buy another Ford.
Good so far.
I bought my Escape used in June 2010.The Escape handles and accelerates well and has an overall powerful feeling. It was after 2 months of routine driving that I noticed the first problems. The transmission would hesitate when accelerating from a stop and jerk into gear. There was no noise and afterward the transmission was smooth. When it started doing this while making left turns through 4-way stops I decided to take it in and have it looked at. Turns out the transmission was failing to downshift from 2nd to 1st quick enough. A technical bulletin fixed this. I've also noticed that my MPG in winter are much worse than summer (2-4 mpg). Otherwise its a great SUV for the value.
The best buy for the money.
This is my first Ford Escape and I love it. It was a toss up between it and the Mitsu Outlander but ultimately won because of maintenance costs. It handles like a car but doesn't dissapoint in off-road uses. I've taken it in 12" inches of snow out in a field, through at least 18" inches of water on a 4x4 track and it's handled admirably. In fact I've gone farther than some 4x4 pickups. Gas mileage is 29MPG (US) on the highway which is where I do most of my driving. Everyone who's road in it is impressed.
2009 Escape Hybrid Ltd, 112,600 and going strong.
I bought my hybrid used in very very good condition. I have driven it for 60,000 miles and still in excellent condition. New tires when I bought it and now it needs a second set. Very good mileage on the tires. The SUV has held up quite well. Only regular maintenance and one minor glitchy rear seat problem. I have just replaced it with a late 2018 Escape. I had a 1984 Bronco II- 115,000. Followed by 4 Explorers. Changed to Escape Hybrid for the better MPG.
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Worth the wait
No hot rod, but plenty of pickup for a 4 cylinder. The ride is slightly firm but very comfortable. Handles much better than the '08 and the interior is very quiet. The 6 speed transmission is very smooth. Getting great mileage already. The Sync and nav system are fun and the stereo is killer. Very roomy. Sits high and has great visibility all the way around. I've looked over every inch I can think of and the fit and finish seem flawless. I have read some criticism about the front disk, rear drum brakes and you would think it has disks all around with the very effective braking I have experienced. It's not a sports car but it is great for a small SUV.
I Love It!!
I have had my Escape (we named her Carly) for about 6 mo. and I am very happy. I love to drive it. I have the Sun n' Sync package and I love having a sun roof, sirrus radio/cd/am/fm/aux jack. I also like the USB port. I avg. 26 mpg mixed city/hwy driving which is pretty good for a V6 SUV. I like the sporty look and feel as well. Very comfortable to drive, all ready took it on a 1200 mi roundtrip vacation with my husband and 2 kids. Very roomy and comfy. I added heated seats and remote start for cold WI winters. The seats fold down and is great for 2 black labs - wish the back windows opened for venting. The dogs would like that too! All around I am very happy!! Love my Escape!
Totally love it
What a great vehicle, totally love it. Just bought it Nov 24th. SYNC is so much fun..a great feature! I also like the power sunroof with shade. Never had Sirius satellite radio before and wiil definitly subscribe once my 6 months runs out. Am very happy with my Escape, would recommend it to anyone. Everywhere I go, people come over and ask me about it. As a big guy, I feel very comfortable in it, very roomy. Ride is smooth and it handles very well. I did get the 4 wheel drive and haven't really tried it out. Living here in Maine, we have some pretty nasty weather, so I am anxious to see how it handles in snow.
Some disappointment
Thought I'd wait a few months before reviewing. I do like the Escape but it does have flaws. Tan interior dash looks great but causes so much glare your eyes get tired on a lengthy trip. Should have black upper part like most autos. Also glare on tach/speedometer plastic at certain times of day. Seats are fairly comfortable even though there is no lumbar support offered. Surprised about that. Transmission gives off a hoot or whoot everytime you start off. Common problem on forums. There is a vibration somewhere in the dash directly in front of the driver. It cannot be located and on many occasions drives me nuts. Wish I had done more research on the Ford Escape forums before buying.
Fantistic SUV - Perfect Size for Me
After a 4-year break from having a SUV (Had an '01 Explorer Sport), I am so happy to have purchased this vehicle. The size is perfect - not too big so parking is a breeze (plus the reverse sensor helps), but big enough to haul my bicycles and dog in the back. On a 1200 mile roundtrip of mostly highway driving, I averaged 26 mph, which I confirmed against my gas consumption and the miles driven. The sync system is like none other as is the navigation. It's a very addictive machine - great job Ford!
A Very Smart SUV
Have owned this vehicle less than a week. My girlfriend makes fun of me because I refer to it as a 'lovely' and 'smart' vehicle. I sometimes kick the brake release lever when I am looking to press down the emergency brake pedal, and I wish you could pop the rear hatch from inside the vehicle, and yes, folding down the rear seats is a piece of work, but other than those quibbles it is a love affair. Extra nice ride. Terrific interior. All around a winning small SUV. And despite misgivings about having Microsoft be a part of my vehicle, the SYNC system is great stuff.
I love this SUV
Donn't buy an 08. The 09 has a bigger engine, 4 wheel anti lock brakes, a 6 speed automatic trans. The steering is smooth, easy, and I can turn shorter than my 2000 Focus. The ride is quiet, smooth,and the bucket seats are very comfortable. I bought the white suede with camel interior. The car has everything on it except Navigation, heated seats, and outside mirror. I just had reverse sensors added yesterday. Oh yes I have the leather seating too. Sirius radio is great and not that expensive when the free radio expires.
Not bad...but not completely happy
Like most consumers, I shopped around at competing models. The Escape - I like the looks, gas mileage (averaging 26 hwy and 22 city), and especially the ergo layout of the drivers position. At 6'4" I need to make sure the vehicle fits me, and other brands (Toyota, Honda) just didn't fit me correctly.
Love it, but not my wife
Love it, but my wife has an issue with the seat head rests, front and back. I agree, the back one, way too far back to be of any issue in an accident or sleeping. Front, she thinks is to forward. I like it, but it's about personal confort. It's the only issue, other than that, love to drive it. Don't know if the leather package has better head rest.
Great early christmas present
I love everything about this vehicle except the material they used for the seat covers looks very cheap. (so I will be getting some seat covers). Other than that is is wonderful.
2009 and 2013 Ford Escape
We bought a 2009 Ford Escape Limited AWD with a 4 Cyl great on Gas very dependable never had an issue. There have been 3 recalls all just minor things. But no issues. We now have 54,500 miles on it. We also bought a 2013 Ford Escape I truly think the Old body style was better looking but the 2013 is slightly bigger on the in side. We have 80,000 mikes on this one. Just sold it to our Daughter and we bought a Ford Explorer XLT 4X4 I’ll review that one later.
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What A Find!
Wow, what a find! Normally I do not like Ford products, but this Escape has changed my mind. Beautifully designed and a real kick to drive. Wife and I both just love it totally. Though I am tall, 6'2", I get in and out easily and have plenty of headroom. Totally feel comfortable. Wife totally love it. It will be around for a number of years to come
Love This SUV!!
I traded in my 2003 Ford Escape XLT for a 2009 model. I got a great deal and 0.0% financing. I opted for the 4-cylinder (to feel a bit "greener" and get better gas mileage). I was very hesitant about this, coming from the V6 2003. But, to my great surprise this is a very peppy SUV and I honestly only notice a difference going up steep hills. I love the SYNC option (an option I actually could have cared less about when buying this--but--it works flawlessly with my iPod) and the updates to this are great. I really like how the back seats fold flat now and the fact that you can open the back gate with your key. I LOVE the 2009 Escape!!
Check your transmission
In the beginning of the year I purchased a used 2009 Ford Escape from the Ford Dealership with 23,000 miles on it. About a week later I was on the highway and the rpm started racing and car wouldn't accelerate. Ended up bringing truck back to dealer because it happened a few times and was so unsafe. I hadn't made my first truck payment yet and they adv me I needed a new tranny. After doing online research there are a TON of people who had the same prob, while there is no official recall BE AWARE it is a widespread issue. It took 6 weeks to get the new tranny because they were back ordered. The truck is great now, but it really destroyed my confidence in the purchase. Guess it's mine now.
After One Year of Ownership
I purchased my 2009 Ford Escape XLT AWD in June of 2009. Ever since then, I have enjoyed every minute being in my Escape. The visibility of the Escape is excellent, the 4 cylinder engine puts out plenty of horsepower to get you where you need to go, the 6-speed transmission shifts smoothly, it is easy to park, and has some of the best technology compared to any vehicle on the road. It has been to dealership once for a PCM flash for the transmission's occasional hard shifting from drive to reverse. That problem has gone away and the vehicle shifts much better than before. The SYNC system is outstanding and I personally find the AC unit to be one of the best I have ever experienced. Great buy
love this suv
owned a 1984 ford bronco ii definitly a step up still tring to figure the bells and whistles but the gas mileage is great. would recommend to a friend.
Transmission Issues
Loved my 2009 Escape at first then started noticing problems that I first thought were just a fluke, but may turn out to be something more which concerns me. Every now and then I noticed it would slam into gear when switching from Drive to Reverse and vice versa. Also runs rough from time to time and right wheel rides like it's wobbling from time to time. Car stalled on me this past weekend, I could not get it started and had to have it towed. Not happy at all considering the vehicle is less than a year old and I've got 5 more years to pay on it. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. According to my sales rep, the vehicle started "right up" this morning- the jury is still out.
New Experience
Just started with new Escape. Was stunned at the huge interior when you put the back seat down. Great ride. Velvet clutch that takes a bit of getting used to. Many neat little extra features. A lot of electronics that will have to past the test of time, but all worked perfectly when we picked it up.
Clunk clunk clunk
Over every little bump, the car goes CLUNK. This started 3 years after buying it, purchased new. The sway bars were shot and cost too much to fix, crappy car. The engine has been trustworthy, so far —knock knock. The transmission is junk, replaced at 100,000 miles. This car is a pig; snarfs down 87 fuel at 18mpg (13 avg L/100km) but will drastically increase economy with 91 fuel (27mpg [8 avg L/100km])
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Snow and ice test drive.
I set up an appointment to test drive a few models at my dealership. The night before as well as during the drive, it snowed, it sleeted and it froze. The Escape handeled as if it was high and dry. The I4 engine was comparable to a Six .The 4wd wouid not let me skid. All the toys are fun. I can not wait to go long distance. Even to my mother in law's. I will write again to update.
Perfect Pick
My new car purchase was a reat experience. I enjoyed every bit of the process thanks to my salesperson. I own an 09 limited 2wd..everybody falls in love with the interior. it is very stylish and sexy.
Rethink Ford!
I want everyone to rethink Ford as their cars and trucks are just as reliable as their Japanese counterparts. I bought this to replace my 2004 Escape V6. I have to admit that the 2.5L has just as much pep as the V6 did in the 2004. The fit and finish is night and day between the two. I looked at all of the competitors and found this one to be much better in style, interior comfort and fuel economy. I read all of the reviews and did not understand why a lot of reviews claim poor quality and outdated design. Have you looked at the RAV4 lately. Interior and exterior are so ugly. I want my SUV to look like one otherwise I would have gotten a car.
Great Vehicle at a great price.
I was concerned about fuel economy, but on a ride over country roads, 270 miles later we averaged 29.5 MPG. On the interstate our average is about 25 MPG. Purchased the Escape over the Rav4, saved about $6000, between the low interest rate and rebates. Ford got the 09 Escape right.
Caution!
I purchashed this brand new 2009 Ford Escape Limited Edition 4WD about a month ago. I drove this vehicle off the lot with 100 miles and a bad drivers door seal that leaked and you can hear air whisping by. It didnt worry me much because the waranty would cover the repair. It was taken to the shop the next week and I picked it up four days later. The problem was still not fixed. The next day the check engine light came on. I took it back to the shop they said that the fuel cap seal was not working properly. I took it right bck to the dealership and returned it with 500 miles on it.Ford should have put more time into testing this vehicle before letting it out for consumers to purchase.
Great SUV
This is our first NEW car in almost 25 years. We have been wanting a small SUV and after a lot of research we decided on the Ford Escape. Besides the comfort, the street appeal and the reliability ratings, this FWD,4 cyl. 6 speed trans. is getting nearly 27 mpg! It's only 4 days old and supposed to have even better mileage when broken in. We live in the Ozarks where it's all mountain driving and the car handles like it was a V6! There's no road noise and the automatic shifting is effortless. The front seats are ample and the Sirius music is awesome! This SUV has a lot of classy features and we know we will be enjoying it for a long time.
My experience
I researched all the mid suv's and narrowed it down to the Hoda Crv and Escape. I actually made up my mind on the Crv. I drove quite a few of them and gave Ford another look. The Escape drives a lot smother, the Crv was bumpy, had less leg room, noisey 4 cylinder, and the styling was sort of ugly. My Escape is loaded, the stereo is 320 wts. Leather is very comfortable, steering great, ride quiet, got the 17" wheels, so handling is sports car like, shifts very smooth, so far I love the Escape. I hope it's as reliable as the Honda. Every time I pass a Crv I say to myself, glad I didn't buy one. Get the locking lugs for the expensive mags and cargo mat. I got the 4 cyl. for mileage.
Missed it by that much...
As all new car buyer's, I was looking for safety, quality, manufacture reputation, and price. My wife and I have found almost all of that in our 2009 Escape XLT. It is a good vehicle, very economical, and meets all of our needs, but I wish that it caused a little more excitement. It is just a plain, simple, vehicle. The exterior styling is fine; but the interior reminds me of fish scales, and everything is made from plastic. We chose to upgrade to the leather package, but still feels like you are sitting inside of a childrens toy. We like Fords, and will continue to buy their vehicles in the future, but just feel like Ford slightly, missed the mark with this vehicle.
Very happy with this Escape
Have had just over a week, have 550 miles. Took it to ski for a week at a resort 125 miles away, it handled the slick roads at the resort with no problem (4WD) the v6 is very good,and it's nowhere near broken in. The 6 speed tranny is wonderful; smooth shifts, timing is great and will get better as it "learns", I'm told. Mileage on first trip, to, from and around the ski resort was 23.4 mpg, all in cold snowy weather. You're not supposed to love anything that can't love you back, but at this point, I'm in serious "like" with this Ford.
Ford moves in right direction
The 2009 Ford Escape is in my opinion one of the best cars Ford has ever produced and represents part of their new commitment to reliability and excellence. The 09 Escape is comfortable, utilitarian and a pleasure to drive. I test drove almost every small to middle SUV on the market. I found myself comparing everything to the Escape. I was quite surprised by this as I come from a family that almost always buys foreign autos. IN all of my test drives the Escape bested every other vehicle in terms of comfort, pragmatism and function. I believe that the 09 is also a vast improvement over the 08. If you are in the market for a SUV I highly recommend this car. Ford earned my business!
2nd Escape in less than 2 years!
Just bought our second Escape in less than 2 years (used cash for clunkers trade in). I keep looking at other SUV's, but always return to the Escape; too much value for the money over the others. Handles deep snow and steep hills with out a problem. Go escape!!!
one twice three times a for owner!!
Well I have had many cars in my 30 yrs this is my 3rd ford and im no where near dissappointed in their cars yet. I love my truck would have given nothing but ten's but i have had a little problems and Im only at 1200 miles. I think i love my truck so much because i bought it BSN (brand spankin' new) so Im very please. After two trips to the service department my truck was diagnosed with a bad instrument panel which caused Candy (Shes red) spedometer and tachometer to go off by themselves just with the turn of the key and rev up as if you were pressing on the gas, all the way up 120 mph!! But she's being fixed right now and because of the excellent warranty I pay nothing :)!!!
Good, not great
Not a bad vehicle for what it is. Not perfect though. Some nice improvements over the 08's with the extra HP, new transmission, and other minor tweaks. Getting about 23mpg mixed driving (30city/70highway mix). Nice looking inside and out for what it is. Still a lot of cheapness though with some of the plastics used. Even with the 240hp v6, still not impressed with everyday driving power. Still feels like an overburdened 4cyl unless you really get on it. Transmission has trouble finding the right gear a lot of times, particularly at lower speeds. Has the potential to be very quiet but excessive wind noise comes noticeably from side windows and rear hatch. This isnt a lexus after all though.
Great purchase
All I can say is that the price is right, the look is right, the ride is right and the fuel efficiency is right for this SUV. I also got the entertainment package and moon and tune package along with the standard upgrades on the limited version. Just a great SUV and I highly recommend this to anyone. Not sure why the Editor's have an average rating of 6.9 but the consumers have a 9.1 rating...in this case believe the consumers!
No Asian brand can touch it!
I have been in the business for 40 years and just retired. Demo-less for the first time, I bought what I have come to believe (and now know) is the finest small SUV in the marketplace. The fit and finish is second to none. The comfort, ditto. Gas mileage for a powerful v-6 is excellent and if you like squeaks or rattles, buy a CR-V or a Sante Fe, not an Escape. The interior quality makes the Murano look like a Yugo. If you want the best made SUV (based on my 40 years of experience) on the market, buy an Escape. If you can live without the whistles and bells, buy the XL but stay away from the 4 cyl. The domestics still haven't gotten the hang of building a powerful, torquey 4-banger.
I love my Escape
I bought my 2009 Ford Escape XLT 3.0 V- 6 for my wife for Christmas. We had tested the Honda CRV, Subarau Forrester, Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata before we drove the Escape. When she sat down in it, she said this is the one. We love the ride, the comfort the style and the gas mileage. We are currently averaging 25mpg combined. It rides smoother and quieter than my brother in law's Escalade. The power is great. I love the Sync system and the Sirius radio. I would and have recommended the Escape to other people.