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2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

202 reports with mileage · 17 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. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

43 reports
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140,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH APPROX. 140,000 MILES. INITIALLY, HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S GAS ENGINE STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 35 TO 55 MPH. MESSAGE IN DASH SAID TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND RUN FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES. NEXT DAY IT…

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2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH APPROX. 140,000 MILES. INITIALLY, HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S GAS ENGINE STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 35 TO 55 MPH. MESSAGE IN DASH SAID TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND RUN FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES. NEXT DAY IT RAN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE OCCURRING ONCE AGAIN. EVENTUALLY THE HYBRID BATTERY HAD NO MORE JUICE AND I HAVE TO BE TOWED. GARAGE, NOT DEALER DX STICKING THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. THEY CLEANED IT, RECHARGED THE HYBRID BATTERY AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. VEHICLE WORKED WELL FOR 6 WEEKS AND THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT AFTER INITIALLY STALLING OUT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM, ON 2 OCCASIONS OCCURRED WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD. RETURNED IT TO GARAGE WHERE IT STALLED WHEN COLD ONE OF THOSE TIMES. AFTER THAT IS DIDN'T STALL FOR THEM AGAIN. GARAGE LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT NO CONCLUSIVE DIAGNOSIS OR FIX. THEY SUGGESTED THAT CHANGING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT CONFIDENT OF THIS. VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11219538

187,621 miles · May 2, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED DAY FORD (LOCATED AT 2124, 3696 WILLIAM PENN HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146, (412) 856-0600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,621.

NHTSA ODI #11205344

144,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

STOP SAFELY NOW & SERVICE SOON - WRENCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11175754

146,000 miles · Jun 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER COMING FROM A STOP, IT IS NOT TRANSMISSION, IT IS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON SHUTS OFF ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION LIGHT COMES ON WITH A WARNING TO STOP SAFELY NOW ON THE DASHBOARD AND YOU ARE STRANDED.…

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THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER COMING FROM A STOP, IT IS NOT TRANSMISSION, IT IS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON SHUTS OFF ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION LIGHT COMES ON WITH A WARNING TO STOP SAFELY NOW ON THE DASHBOARD AND YOU ARE STRANDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WHILE DRIVING BOTH FREEWAY AND SURFACE STREET SPEEDS, SUDDENLY. I AM AFRAID NOT ONLY TO NOT ONLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVING ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME, ESPECIALLY MAKING A LEFT TURN. IT IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON A DARK STREET AROUND 9PM, CUTTING OFF ON THE FREEWAY LEAVING ME NO CHOICE BUT TO COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AGAIN IT JUST SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT @ 40 MPH, WHILE DRIVING ON THE SURFACE STREETS, THIS TIME IT WAS EARLY EVENING BUT ONCE AGAIN LEFT ALONE STRANDED UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK COMES. THE DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS THAT WOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. BUT I CAN SEE THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #11104626

124,000 miles · Jan 12, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. LANDMARK FORD IN TIGARD, OREGON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. LANDMARK FORD IN TIGARD, OREGON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11062503

128,475 miles · Jan 12, 2018
Engine

SEE ATTACHED REPAIR INVOICE # 68143 DATED 01/04/2018. LANDMARK FORD TUALATIN, OR 97281 DEFECTIVE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY COOLING FANS & DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSY PAID INVOICE AMT $2208.95. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11062498

120,000 miles · Jul 17, 2017
Engine

HYBRID MEC PUMP FAILURE: MY VEHICLE HAD THE MEC HYBRID COOLANT PUMP FAILURE THAT IS COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE. MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LARGE SCALE RECALL UNDERTAKEN BY FORD. I HAD THE PUMP REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER IN 2011, AND THEN AGAIN IN 2012 AFTER A SECOND FAILURE. THIS COST ME OVER $3000 IN TOTAL. I DO …

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HYBRID MEC PUMP FAILURE: MY VEHICLE HAD THE MEC HYBRID COOLANT PUMP FAILURE THAT IS COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE. MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LARGE SCALE RECALL UNDERTAKEN BY FORD. I HAD THE PUMP REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER IN 2011, AND THEN AGAIN IN 2012 AFTER A SECOND FAILURE. THIS COST ME OVER $3000 IN TOTAL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT SHOULD BE.

NHTSA ODI #11005986

148,810 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Engine

WHILE DRIVING, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING " SAFELY PULL OVER AND STOP NOW", THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT, NO POWER AT ALL. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES RESTART IT. EVERYTHING SOUNDED FINE. I TALK TO A FORD DEALER WHOM SEEM NOT TO KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. I HAVE AN ENGINE CODE P1A0C (ETB), FROM MY ACTRON@ DEVICE. I STARTED …

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WHILE DRIVING, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING " SAFELY PULL OVER AND STOP NOW", THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT, NO POWER AT ALL. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES RESTART IT. EVERYTHING SOUNDED FINE. I TALK TO A FORD DEALER WHOM SEEM NOT TO KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. I HAVE AN ENGINE CODE P1A0C (ETB), FROM MY ACTRON@ DEVICE. I STARTED TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH ISSUE AND THE SOLUTIONS GIVING BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE HAVE BEEN ALL DIFFERENT I'M NOT SURE IF ANY OF THEM FIXED THE ISSUE. SOME HAVE STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10937850

75,000 miles · Aug 26, 2016
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE VERY STIFF, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAN WAS CHANGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE VERY STIFF, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SKID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAN WAS CHANGED IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10899003

114,000 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE AND STOP VEHICLE SAFELY WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE AND STOP VEHICLE SAFELY WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10896220

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.