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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

219 reports
36,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE SERVICE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE JUMPER HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE SERVICE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE JUMPER HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 8/13/13 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10521636

78,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WARNING CHIME WAS ALSO ACTIVATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THEY ENG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE WARNING CHIME WAS ALSO ACTIVATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THEY ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER BOOSTER ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND NOT ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521617

151,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD UN-LATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD UN-LATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000. RVK UPDATED 7/15/13 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10520100

68,500 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Service Brakes

DRIVING ABOUT 35 AND THE ABS LIGHT AND ANTI SKID LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN AT SLOW SPEED THE CAR STARTED DOING A CHUGGING AND THEN IT WENT ON BATTERY. IT DID THIS ALL THE WAY HOME. I AM LUCKIER THAN MOST MY MAN IS A MECHANIC AN PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. I ALSO LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOP…

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DRIVING ABOUT 35 AND THE ABS LIGHT AND ANTI SKID LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN AT SLOW SPEED THE CAR STARTED DOING A CHUGGING AND THEN IT WENT ON BATTERY. IT DID THIS ALL THE WAY HOME. I AM LUCKIER THAN MOST MY MAN IS A MECHANIC AN PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. I ALSO LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TONE RING. IN 5 MONTHS MY 16 YEAR OLD WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR FULL TIME AND NOW I AM REAL CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. SOME ONE RECALL THIS TONE RING, PEOPLE ARE LOOSING BRAKES!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519786

3,024,244 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Service Brakes

DRIVING ABOUT 35 AND THE ABS LIGHT AND ANTI SKID LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN AT SLOW SPEED THE CAR STARTED DOING A CHUGGING AND THEN IT WENT ON BATTERY. IT DID THIS ALL THE WAY HOME. I AM LUCKIER THAN MOST MY MAN IS A MECHANIC AN PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. I ALSO LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOP…

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DRIVING ABOUT 35 AND THE ABS LIGHT AND ANTI SKID LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN AT SLOW SPEED THE CAR STARTED DOING A CHUGGING AND THEN IT WENT ON BATTERY. IT DID THIS ALL THE WAY HOME. I AM LUCKIER THAN MOST MY MAN IS A MECHANIC AN PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. I ALSO LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TONE RING. IN 5 MONTHS MY 16 YEAR OLD WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR FULL TIME AND NOW I AM REAL CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. SOME ONE RECALL THIS TONE RING, PEOPLE ARE LOOSING BRAKES!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519785

103,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE THE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE THE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. *TR UPDATED 4/29/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECS PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED PER THE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB08-24-5 ISSUED BY FORD COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO ITS VIN. UPDATED 06/11/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10505248

117,000 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN WHEN I FELT LIKE I HAD NO BRAKE CONTROL TO STOP. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL AS FAR AS I COULD AND PRAYED THAT I WOULD STOP BEFORE THE BUSY INTERSECTION. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM CODE CAME ON AND CHIMED. THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT, ALONG WITH BRAKE WARNING. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY A FEW BL…

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DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN WHEN I FELT LIKE I HAD NO BRAKE CONTROL TO STOP. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL AS FAR AS I COULD AND PRAYED THAT I WOULD STOP BEFORE THE BUSY INTERSECTION. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM CODE CAME ON AND CHIMED. THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT, ALONG WITH BRAKE WARNING. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE HOUSE, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CAREFULLY MAKE IT BACK HOME. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING BEFORE WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS A PROBLEM AND POSSIBILITY OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. ALL THIS AT A COST OF $4500+ PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER JUST FINISHING PAYING OFF THE VEHICLE LOAN WE OWN A VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T STOP. HAD I CRASHED THE VEHICLE I'D ONLY BE OUT MY DEDUCTIBLE. THANKS FORD! I REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AFTER HEARING OF OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, WITH NO HELP FROM FORD ON REPAIRING A DEVICE THATS MEANT TO PROVIDE SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504910

60,500 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringVisibility

1) WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT INDICATING MAINTENANCE NEEDED OFF AND ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS EVEN THOUGH WE WERE WELL WITHIN THE MAINTENANCE PERIOD. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BLEND DOOR FOR ALLOWING AIR COOLING OF THE HYBRID BATTERIES. 2) THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY FOR THE CAR. WE …

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1) WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT INDICATING MAINTENANCE NEEDED OFF AND ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS EVEN THOUGH WE WERE WELL WITHIN THE MAINTENANCE PERIOD. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BLEND DOOR FOR ALLOWING AIR COOLING OF THE HYBRID BATTERIES. 2) THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY FOR THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, AND THE SYSTEM CHECK SHOWED NO PROBLEM (I BELIEVE IT CHECKS FLUID LEVELS) SO THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504566

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED A RED TRIANGLE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ODI #10504026

74,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A LIGHT ILLUMINATED THAT SAID STOP SAFELY NOW. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A LIGHT ILLUMINATED THAT SAID STOP SAFELY NOW. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10501203

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.