So what exactly is the procedure for a 2009? I ordered the FP-66 cabin air filter (that is the one listed in the owners manual) a couple of days ago and expect to get it in the mail any day now. I copied instructions from several different web sites but they all say to remove the caps off the screws, remove the screws, remove the plasic rivets on the cowl, and remove the cowl. I did notice that I don't have those screws on the 09. So did you remove the wipers and the cowl? To remove the cowl is it just the philips screws/plastic rivets on the front edge? And if the air intake box was still "not fully accessible" how did you get the filter in? Is there still a cover over the air box as described in the older models? Maybe I'm just making this harder than it really is but it doesn't seem quite as straight forward as the earlier models.

EDIT:

OK, I got the filter and figured it out

I didn't need to remove the windshield wiper arms, my wife assisted me by holding the cowl piece up and out of the way with the wipers still installed.

Here is how I installed the cabin air filter (Ford Motorcraft part # FP-66) on my 2009 FEH:

1. Raise hood.
2. Remove the 7 plastic clips that run along the forward edge of the cowl. Use a philips head screwdriver and push up in the middle from the bottom. Remove the screw and the clip.
3. Pry up the forward edge of the plastic cowl piece on the passenger side. Mine was stuck down with a sticky foam strip which remained attached to the plastic cowl piece. This is where my wife assisted by holding the cowl piece up out of the way so I could raise the lid to the air box.
4. The lid to the air box has 2 plastic clips on the forward edge holding it in place. Gently pry the tab forward (toward the front of the vehicle) while lifting the top. I found releasing the outboard clip first worked best (it's also the most visible of the 2). I did not remove the lid, just lifted it up enough to get the filter in place inside the air box.
5. Install the air filter in place, since it is such a funny shape it will only go in one way which is obvious. As stated here and other places I researched, the filter does not fit perfectly. It is the right shape it just seems to be a little too big. I had to push the edges down into place in order to get a decent seal which slightly distorted the filter. It should work fine though.

So overall it is a fairly simple 10 minute procedure. Good luck.

 

Check fleabay everynow & then. I just scored the K&N battery filter for $15+10sh so $25 for a K&N or $20-$30 for the Ford/other paper disposable one

 

I updated the list as best I could with info on the 2009's, if anything looks wrong or needs updating let me know...

 

Fram airfilter that is new:

 

Hi!

A related question?
I have changed the little filter in the rear near the batteries several times ($26!! for what?! its the size of a postcard)
But never the cabin filter. Lately my SERVICE SOON message keeps appearing, no code, I am wondering if it could be that,
or maybe a dirty fuel filter? Other than that, still love my 2006 at 59K with the new Michelin tires, 34.2 mpg on mixed driving in lovely CA.

 

Unless you or someone else put one in, your FEH doesn't have a cabin filter. Even if there was one I doubt that it would cause a SERVICE SOON message. When you say no code, how did you determine that?

 

DesertDog-thanks for your reply. Some more details:

Last year when this kept happening I took it to the dealer, they
said if no numbers were showing in my little info box (I don't have the
NAV system) then nothing was wrong. I insisted they put it on the
computer scanner ($125) and they did and still claimed nothing was wrong.
So I have lived with this intermittent problem for a year now. I have
regular oil and air filter changes, etc, but only had the fuel filter done
once, at about 35K. The car seems to run fine, but its bugging me.
Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

Is there a permanent cabin air fliter for the 2007 Escape Hybrid that I can take out and clean?

 

My light comes on intermittantly now too. Gotta grab my scangauge out of my Civic GX

 

Most scanners will only look for DTCs from either the Engine or Transaxle. However, I figured out a way to retrieve DTCs from every module in the FEH using a scangauge. I have seen intermittent messages in my Message Center that went away but I was still able to pull DTC codes from the various modules. So far I have pulled DTCs from the ABS module, Traction Battery Module, and Power Steering module. Almost all went away on their own except for the B1239 blend door failure that has been covered in detail on this site. I wouldn't be surprised if this is also what is going on with your FEH as it seems to be very common.