IllustrationMy steering started locking up and now my vehicle will stall and shut completely down while doing 65 miles an hour and now it won't run at all
2006 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →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
360–25K
5425–50K
7750–75K
8975–100K
102100–150K
47150K+
405 reports with mileage · 59 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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports9 fire reports18 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
18 reportsIN 2013 THE THROTTLE WOULD EITHER STICK AND NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO, OR AS YOUR DRIVING IT WOULD NOT GO TO THE IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT THE TIME, NOW IN 2016 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH FORD MOTORS AND THE DEALERSHIP. THIS…
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IN 2013 THE THROTTLE WOULD EITHER STICK AND NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO, OR AS YOUR DRIVING IT WOULD NOT GO TO THE IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT THE TIME, NOW IN 2016 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH FORD MOTORS AND THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A COSTLY FIX AND MUST BE DONE AGAIN FOR THE SAFETY OF OURSELVES AND OTHERS. PLEASE HELP US IF YOU CAN.
MY FRIEND BORROWED MY 06 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH HAD NOT SHOWN ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE HWY, THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND RAPIDLY EXCELLERATED TO 85 MPH PLUS, WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS A 6 LANE HWY AND WAS SATURDAY. PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND USING BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE E BRAKE, WHI…
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MY FRIEND BORROWED MY 06 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH HAD NOT SHOWN ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE HWY, THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND RAPIDLY EXCELLERATED TO 85 MPH PLUS, WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS A 6 LANE HWY AND WAS SATURDAY. PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND USING BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE E BRAKE, WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER, AS A TRACTOR TRAILER RIG WAS BARRELING BY UNAWARE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT IS MIRACULOUS THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. THE BRAKES SMOKED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AS A PRECAUTION. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. UPON RESEARCHING FURTHER, WE DISCOVERED ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO WARNINGS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE, BEFORE ANY ACTIONS ARE TAKEN? IT SEEMS AS THOUGH PREVENTION WOULD GO FURTHER, RATHER THAN REACTING TO ONLY THE EXTREMES OF DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT. I AM SUGGESTING THAT FORD TAKE A PROACTIVE POSITION HERE AND NOTIFY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. FIX THE ISSUE!!!
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP MY VEHICLE HAS DIED WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, IT ALSO SHUTS DOWN WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE (SEVERAL TIMES HAVING TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF ENGINE AND COAST TO A STOP IN SNOW)…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP MY VEHICLE HAS DIED WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, IT ALSO SHUTS DOWN WHEN MAKING A HARD TURN AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE (SEVERAL TIMES HAVING TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF ENGINE AND COAST TO A STOP IN SNOW). I HAVE CURRENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING A #3 MISFIRE AND AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR PARTS TO COME. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND NUMBER 3 IGNITION COIL. I AM WAITING FOR OTHER 3 COILS TO COME IN. IF STILL SHOOTING WILL TRY REPLACING SEALS. IT ALSO WAS "BURNING" OIL THEN STARTED TO HAVE AN ACTUAL OIL LEAK FROM MAIN SEAL. I DO THE REPAIRS MYSELF AND APPARENTLY THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES. I COMPLAINED TO FORD ABOUT THE STICKY ACCELERATOR AND GOT NO REPLY. IT ALSO MAKES A TAPPING SOUND FROM THE CAM SHAFT WHICH I FOUND OUT IS TYPICAL OF FORD ESCAPES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED DOWN UNLESS YOU SLAMMED ON IT. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND EVENTUALLY STUCK COMPLETELY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN LYNCHBURG, VA, REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW, TWO YEARS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. *TR
MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING DOWN WHEN TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS VERY COLD. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL CONSTANTLY LOCKS WHEN DRIVING NO MATTER THE CLIMATE. *TR
WHEN IT GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO MY GAS PEDAL WILL STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION. YOU HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL FOR IT TO ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE HOWEVER THERE IS A LARGE THRUST FORWARD/BACKWARD DUE TO OPENING THE THROTTLE SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NEARLY HIT 2 CARS AND ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GO…
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WHEN IT GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO MY GAS PEDAL WILL STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION. YOU HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL FOR IT TO ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE HOWEVER THERE IS A LARGE THRUST FORWARD/BACKWARD DUE TO OPENING THE THROTTLE SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NEARLY HIT 2 CARS AND ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GO. I HAVE SPOKE. WITH FORD AND THEY STATE THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST. I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2001-2004 AND 2007 MODEL OF THE ESCAPE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FEW OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS HAZARD AND COULD COST SOMEONE A LIFE IF THE PROBLEM ISN'T CORRECTED. IT OBVIOUSLY HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE MODEL ITSELF. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS PAST SPRING FROM MY MOTHER, WHO ALSO SAID SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Official recalls
315V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
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
1DP12006 · 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.