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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
93,000 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKES SUDDENLY FAIL. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE FAILS UNEXPECTANTLY AND YOU MUST USE EXTREME FORCE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THIS IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY WILL WORK AGAIN AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON LINE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS…

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BRAKES SUDDENLY FAIL. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE FAILS UNEXPECTANTLY AND YOU MUST USE EXTREME FORCE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THIS IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY WILL WORK AGAIN AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON LINE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NOT ONLY DID I FIND MANY COMPLAINTS BUT THESE WERE ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS OF PRODUCTION.

NHTSA ODI #10915450

130,000 miles · Oct 10, 2016
Steering

MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAVE HAD NO WARNINGS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. THE WRENCH ICON CAME ON AND AN ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON IN THE DASH STATING TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SERVICED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT JUST HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS…

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MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAVE HAD NO WARNINGS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. THE WRENCH ICON CAME ON AND AN ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON IN THE DASH STATING TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SERVICED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT JUST HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS TURNING OFF OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT PART OF A RECALL. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY IN THE HYBRID VEHICLES FORD MANUFACTURES. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR NEWER MODEL VEHICLES, BUT NOT THIS ONE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE DANGEROUS CONDITION CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING GOING COMPLETELY OUT IN THE CAR AS I WAS TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #10915102

112,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Steering

WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING TO FIND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN. DASH DISPLAYED WRENCH SYMBOL INDICATING MAINTENANCE NEEDED AND NARRATIVE THAT POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #10914114

105,000 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. ABS LIGHT ALSO COMES ON - LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ABS COMES ON.

NHTSA ODI #10910636

75,000 miles · Aug 26, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

MY VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT OCT.9,2015 WITH 72,000 MILES ON IT. IN MAY 2016 THE ENGINE STARTED CUTTING OUT AND THE MESSAGE WOULD READ "SERVICE ENGINE" ALONG WITH A YELLOW WRENCH APPEARING ON THE DASH. I HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A HARNESS. I PAID 1004.00 FOR THE NEW H…

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MY VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT OCT.9,2015 WITH 72,000 MILES ON IT. IN MAY 2016 THE ENGINE STARTED CUTTING OUT AND THE MESSAGE WOULD READ "SERVICE ENGINE" ALONG WITH A YELLOW WRENCH APPEARING ON THE DASH. I HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A HARNESS. I PAID 1004.00 FOR THE NEW HARNESS AND THEY ALSO INSTALLED A FAN FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE CAR DID IT AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER AND I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THEY HAD MADE A MISTAKE AND HAD TO CALL FORD TO GET THE CORRECT CODES TO FIX THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DONE AND PICKED IT UP. THE SAME THING HAPPENED LESS THAN 4 DAYS LATER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AGAIN AND LET THE DEALERSHIP SEND MY CAR HOME WITH A MECHANIC FOR 2 DAYS. I WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG AND PICKED IT UP. I NOW HAVE THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON, THE RED TRIANGLE SAFETY LIGHT COMING ON, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON, THE LOW TIRES LIGHT COMING ON (IT STAYS ON) AND THE YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON. AT NIGHT WHEN I TURN ON MY RIGHT BLINKER THE HIGH BEAMS COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODES COME UP ON THEIR MACHINE. WHEN I BRAKE I HAVE TO PUSH VERY HARD AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKES LOCK UP ON ME. I HAVE AVOIDED ACCIDENTS SO FAR BUT I AM CONCERNED AT THIS POINT. I DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED OR KILLED AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO INJURE OR KILL ANYONE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD BE AVOIDED, IF FORD HAD A MECHANIC THAT KNOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE CAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC AND I HAVE TO STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THIS IS GOOD FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT ACTS UP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10899013

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

45,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/30/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10894452

78,600 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKES STOPPED WORKING, DASH LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE.

NHTSA ODI #10893779

133,200 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DASH BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. DEALER ADVISED MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2500. IN ADITION, HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MIGHT ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED, FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4000, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL UNTIL THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. AT THIS TIME…

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VEHICLE DASH BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. DEALER ADVISED MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2500. IN ADITION, HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MIGHT ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED, FOR AN ADDITIONAL $4000, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL UNTIL THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE STOPPED USING THE HAND BRAKE AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10889286

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.