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2006 Ford Escape Hev

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

36 reports with mileage · 1 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

37 reports
84,562 miles · Aug 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. DRIVING ON HWY 75 SOUTH IN OHIO. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 68 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND SLOWED ABRUPTLY. THE INFO DISPLAY SAID MAIN ENGINE OVER HEAT SLOW AND CONTINUE TO SAFE STOP. I PULLED OVER AND DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTED IT. IT RAN FOR ABOUT A 1/2 MILE AND SHUT D…

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2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. DRIVING ON HWY 75 SOUTH IN OHIO. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 68 MILES AN HOUR. MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND SLOWED ABRUPTLY. THE INFO DISPLAY SAID MAIN ENGINE OVER HEAT SLOW AND CONTINUE TO SAFE STOP. I PULLED OVER AND DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTED IT. IT RAN FOR ABOUT A 1/2 MILE AND SHUT DOWN AGAIN. THIS TIME I STARTED UP AGAIN AND DOVE IT ABOUT FIVE MILES BEFORE I SHUT IT DOWN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.THERE WAS NO SIGNS OR SMELLS OF HOT OVER HEATING ENGINE. I THEN GOT IN A DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MORE HOURS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. MY CONCERN IS THAT I ALL MOST GOT REAR ENDED FROM A SEMI. I HAVE READ OTHER HYBRID FORUMS WITH OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280401

80,592 miles · May 27, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND READ "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND READ "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,592. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB UPDATED 6/9/09 *CN CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS TAKEN TO DREW FORD WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT CONSUMER SHOULD PICK IT UP. CONSUMER EXPLAINED HE HAD FILED 20 COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH NHTSA. FOLLOWING DAY, DEALER TESTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE BRAKES ONCE AGAIN FAILED AT THE DEALERS PARKING LOT. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB UPDATED 06/10/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10270048

41,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. UNDER DAILY DRIVING THE TONE RING A PART THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM RELIES ON FREQUENTLY FAILS. PREVIOUSLY THIS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT AXLE. CURRENTLY JUST THE TONE RING IS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268384

92,758 miles · Mar 10, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE READING, "STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRIC COOLER PUMP CAUSES THE HYBRID ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SHUTS ITSEL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A MESSAGE READING, "STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRIC COOLER PUMP CAUSES THE HYBRID ELECTRIC SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SHUTS ITSELF OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,758. UPDATED 08/31/09 *BF UPDATED 09/03/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10261409

47,000 miles · Feb 14, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I STARTED THE CAR, AND THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. AFTER I DROVE 1/4 MILE, I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY GETTING ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PRESSING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR. IT TOOK ABOUT 100 YARDS TO STOP STARTING AT …

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I STARTED THE CAR, AND THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. AFTER I DROVE 1/4 MILE, I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY GETTING ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PRESSING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR. IT TOOK ABOUT 100 YARDS TO STOP STARTING AT 35 MPH. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE BRAKES APPEARED TO WORK, AND I DROVE SLOWLY TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN LEAVING THE DESTINATION, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR TWICE, THE BRAKES WORKED, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258668

55,516 miles · Dec 22, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON DASH AND BRAKES FAILED. COULD ONLY GET MINOR STOPPING POWER WHEN BRAKES DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. MANAGED TO STOP WITHOUT CRASH. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED OKAY. DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD FIN…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON DASH AND BRAKES FAILED. COULD ONLY GET MINOR STOPPING POWER WHEN BRAKES DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. MANAGED TO STOP WITHOUT CRASH. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED OKAY. DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE RESTART OF THE CAR CLEARED THE ERROR LOG. EXACT PROBLEM REAPPEARED 2 WEEKS LATER. BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON DASH, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE EXCEPT VERY MINOR BRAKING POWER WHEN DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THIS TIME, DROVE CAR TO NEARBY DEALER WITHOUT TURNING OFF AND DEMANDED THAT THEY DRIVE IT TO WITNESS PROBLEM. AGAIN, THEY INSISTED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY DROVE THE VEHICLE. REPLACED MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND BLED BRAKES 3 TIMES BEFORE BRAKES PASSED TEST. *TR CONSUMER STATED COMPLAINT WAS REPORTED MORE THAN 8 YEARS AGO FOR A CAR THAT CONSUMER HASN'T OWNED FOR MORE THAN 7 YEARS. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10252504

24,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Tires

I HAVE A 2006 ESCAPE HYBRID AND HAVE HAD TWO VALVE STEM FAILURES WHICH CAUSED SLOW TIRE LEAKS. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL MY VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL THE VALVE STEMS AS THEY MAY FAIL WHEN I'M OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH NO ONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246335

3,100 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,100. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10245381

28,800 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

NO CRASH, NO INJURIES. ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING BRAKES TO ENGAGE ERRATICALLY AND EVENTUALLY STALL THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FROM DASH, INCLUDING, ABS WARNING, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING AND STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS MISS…

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NO CRASH, NO INJURIES. ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING BRAKES TO ENGAGE ERRATICALLY AND EVENTUALLY STALL THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FROM DASH, INCLUDING, ABS WARNING, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING AND STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS MISSING. UPDATED12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10201927

7,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. WHEN THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. WHEN THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191643

Official recalls

1

06V382000 · Power Train:driveline

Oct 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID VEHICLES, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND MAY FRACTURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, THE POWERTRAIN WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO TRANSMIT TORQUE TO THE DRIVE WHEELS AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVETRAIN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.