# 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Sluggish Acceleration on Hot Days

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-ford-escape-hybrid-sluggish-acceleration-on-hot-days/141483>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hybrid-repair\
**Created:** [June 3, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-ford-escape-hybrid-sluggish-acceleration-on-hot-days/141483 "2019-06-03T14:24:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jacob.b.nelson2\_152789](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jacob.b.nelson2\_152789](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacob.b.nelson2_152789)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-ford-escape-hybrid-sluggish-acceleration-on-hot-days/141483/1 "2019-06-03T14:24:16Z")

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Y’all were really helpful with diagnosing my Fusion’s AC compressor problem, so maybe you can give me some pointers with an issue I’m having with my Escape.

Some background:

- 2009 Ford Escape 4WD 4 Cylinders 3 2.5L MFI Hybrid DOHC
- ~100k miles

BLUF: Sluggish acceleration on hot days

In the electrical power system menu, the battery always shows between 40-60% capacity. On hot days, it has really sluggish acceleration from a full stop or a slow roll right after starting the engine. This lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes, sometimes longer depending on how hot it is. Also, during this time of sluggish acceleration, the car won’t switch to electric at stop lights or low speed and the “Charge / Assist” indicator on the instrument panel doesn’t move.

Two questions:

Could the car be dangerous or unreliable to drive with an issue like this, especially over long distances?

Where can I start troubleshooting? I’ve heard the battery cooling system could cause this.

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**Author:** ![jdukebond\_183781](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@jdukebond\_183781](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdukebond_183781)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-ford-escape-hybrid-sluggish-acceleration-on-hot-days/141483/2 "2023-01-18T15:15:33Z")

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Did you ever find out anything about this problem? I have a very similar problem. Problem is intermittent and seems to go away after the car has been driven for 5 or 10 minutes. Problem also seems to be worse when the vehicle has not been driven for a few days.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-ford-escape-hybrid-sluggish-acceleration-on-hot-days/141483/3 "2023-01-18T17:34:22Z")

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I solved a sluggish acceleration problem with my 2011 MKZ hybrid a couple of years ago by resetting the ‘birth date’ of the battery, Ford cut back on hybrid battery use after 7-8 years for some reason, resetting the battery’s age eliminated that problem. I recently got an offer for the dealer to reprogram the car to achieve this.