FordEscape Hybrid2009Overview/ford/escape-hybrid/2009/base/

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Escape Hybrid.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid is a compact SUV that pairs its hybrid powertrain with an automatic transmission using variable gear ratios, returning EPA fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Maintenance specifications call for 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil at recommended service intervals, a relatively modest capacity for the segment. Within the broader 2005–2021 complaint history documented for the Escape Hybrid line, 2009 occupies a comparatively quiet position: its 152 total owner complaints — led by steering issues and accompanied by a single recall — stand well below 2008's peak of 2,415 reports and well above 2021's low of just 2. For researchers tracking the model's reliability arc, that placement marks 2009 as a transitional year between the platform's early, complaint-heavy run and its later near-silent tail.

Model year20122011201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy29/27/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-65R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3638 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined29 / 27 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub222 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.57 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00-3.00 lbs
Standard BCI Group Number96R

Service checks

Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.944 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.09

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts finger tight., Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9021 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3217 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 4: 37 ft. lbs., step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 7 new exhaust manifold stud12.5 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 904 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miHybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 miHybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid stands out as an anomaly in the generation's federal record, with complaints plummeting to just 152 from 2,415 in 2008 and then spiking back to 2,127 in 2010. Recalls also dropped to a single campaign, compared to six in both the preceding and following model years, while TSBs fell to only five. The top complaint area is steering, accounting for 60 of the 152 reports, but the overall volume remains dramatically lower than any other year in the data. This pattern suggests the 2009 model year largely sidestepped the systemic issues that plagued the 2008 and 2010 versions, though the data does not specify root causes. For a used-car buyer, the 2009 Escape Hybrid presents a compelling low-risk option within this generation, provided a thorough steering inspection is performed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
152
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 152 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering60
Service Brakes16
Engine10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Vehicle Speed Control6
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine6
Power Train6
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 16-01182016-09-08Electrical SystemSome 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81…
SIS-218412011-04-01Air BagsCOMM-TRANS LUND: SOME 2009-2011 MODELS MAY HAVE THE AIR BAG INICATOR FLASHING WITH A…
AS-217692011-03-01Power TrainFORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE…
TSB-09-15-12009-12-09Traction Control SystemFORD/MERCURY: TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WITH DTC C1440. SOME VEHICLES BUILT MAY EXHIBIT THE…
TSB-09-5-52009-06-01Service Brakes, HydraulicFORD: VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLICKING OR RUBBING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escape Hybrid. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Escape Hybrid take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Escape Hybrid have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Escape Hybrid get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 27 highway / 28 combined mpg.