IllustrationRIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING COMPLETELY GONE. FIRST INDICATION OF ANY ISSUE WAS WHEN SHOCK NO LONGER PROPERLY SUPPORTS. RUST AND TOTAL DE-LAMINATION OF METAL HOUSING SUPPORTING SHOCK. FEAR OF SHOCK PUNCHING THROUGH - INTO CARGO HOLD IN THE AREA OF THE JACK STORAGE.
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
Steering complaints
20 reportsAFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPON SAFELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AT 35 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. NO …
Read full complaint
AFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPON SAFELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AT 35 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED & NO APPARENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DETECTED.
ON 12/23/14, VEHICLE CUT OUT AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING TO ENTER MOVING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY. THE SECOND TIME IT CUT OUT,12/24/14, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROADWAY. THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED, SOUNDED LIKE A WINDED HORSE, RUNNING ON THREE LEGS. MY CAR WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,0…
Read full complaint
ON 12/23/14, VEHICLE CUT OUT AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING TO ENTER MOVING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY. THE SECOND TIME IT CUT OUT,12/24/14, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROADWAY. THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED, SOUNDED LIKE A WINDED HORSE, RUNNING ON THREE LEGS. MY CAR WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FLUSHES EVERY YEAR, FUEL INJECTION CLEANING EVERY OTHER YEAR. WITH THE DOUBLE TIMING CHAIN, I WAS ASSURED AT PURCHASE, THAT THEY RARELY BREAK. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS. THEN, I AM TOLD IT IS A PCM FAILURE CAUSED BY SPARK PLUGS , COILS, THAT WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE PCM, OR WHERE THE RESISTOR WAS INEFFECTIVE TO COMBAT THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COILS/ SPARK PLUGS, AND THEREFORE CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHUT DOWN THREE CYLINDERS OF MY ENGINE. APPARENTLY THERE WERE TSB BULLETINS TO DEALERSHIPS ON THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RECALLS, BECAUSE FORD DETERMINED THAT THE PCM FAILURE WOULD PROBABLY OCCUR POST-WARRANTY. HOWEVER, CAR OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I WAS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF PAYING FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND AM FACED WITH A $2500 BILL, THAT I DO NOT DESERVE, BECAUSE IT IS IN NO WAY LINKED TO MY OWN NEGLIGENCE OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE! TO ME, IT IS A FORM OF BUILT-IN OBSOLESCENCE, THAT MIGHT BE OK WITH SMALL-COST ITEMS LIKE WATCHES, BUT SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED WITH HIGH-COST ITEMS, SUCH AS CARS! *JS
THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, 2 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. HYBRID VEHICLE HAS RECALL PROBLEMS WHICH MAKES VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. HAD IT FIXED, PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. SOMETHING TO DO WITH BATTERY. THEN ON FRIDAY, DEC. 12, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIV…
Read full complaint
THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, 2 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. HYBRID VEHICLE HAS RECALL PROBLEMS WHICH MAKES VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. HAD IT FIXED, PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. SOMETHING TO DO WITH BATTERY. THEN ON FRIDAY, DEC. 12, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY. I COULDN'T PULL OVER, IT WON'T RESTART EVEN AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. I WAITED 5 TO 25 MINUTES, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. FINALLY HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO CLOSEST FORD DEALER. I THOUGHT DEALER COULD FIX PROBLEM AFTER HAVING IT ALL DAY BUT WHEN I LEFT AND HEADED ON HIGHWAY, MY HYBRID VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE PTSD FROM THIS CAR, I NEVER WANT TO GET IN IT. I DON'T TRUST IT AND AFTER 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS, ALL OF MY OWN MONEY TO PAY, CAR STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. I PAID A PREMIUM TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS WORTHLESS. NOW I AM RECEIVING MORE RECALL NOTICES ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IF IT STALLS AGAIN I MIGHT BE IN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AS IT STOPS SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING WHEEL UNIVERSAL SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE WARE O…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING WHEEL UNIVERSAL SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
MY POWER STEERING FAILS AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER STEERING PISTON PUMP NEEDS REPAIR AT A COST OF APPROX $900.00. *TR
SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS FORD ESCAPE 2006 I HAVE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKES TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STEERING PUMPS BROKEN AND THE MOST IN TWO MONTHS I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE BRAKES WILL STOP AND THEN RELEASE. I KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE WHICH REQUIRES BRAKES CHECK MY COMPLAINTS AND AFTER THE FIRST THEY ACCIDENT IN MARCH W…
Read full complaint
SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS FORD ESCAPE 2006 I HAVE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKES TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STEERING PUMPS BROKEN AND THE MOST IN TWO MONTHS I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE BRAKES WILL STOP AND THEN RELEASE. I KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE WHICH REQUIRES BRAKES CHECK MY COMPLAINTS AND AFTER THE FIRST THEY ACCIDENT IN MARCH WE ASKED FORD TO CHECK BRAKES THE SAID IT WAS FINE LESS THAN A MONTH LATER ANOTHER ACCIDENT SAME THING BRAKES STOP AND RELEASE WE TOOK IT BACK IN AND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN BROKEN I HAVE CHILDREN I DRIVE CHILDREN AND THIS COULD DEFINITELY HAVE HURT US OR SOMEONE ELSE MY CAR IS NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AND DANGEROUS ACTUALLY THE BODY SHOP SAID IT WAS BROKEN BEFORE. THE DEALERS CONVENIENTLY SAY I DID NOT COMPLAIN BUT ALL SERVICE CHECKS MY BRAKE DRUMS ARE CHECK I COMPLAIN OF PARKING BRAKE AND EXCESSIVE NOISE. *TR
THE STEERING IN MY ESCAPE STARTED TO BECOME TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AS I WOULD TURN AND SO, I SCHEDULED A MAINTENANCE CHECK THROUGH MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPT. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THEY FOUND THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD GONE BAD. I HAVE 40,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND AS YOU KNOW THIS EXCEEDS THE TYPICAL 3YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. …
Read full complaint
THE STEERING IN MY ESCAPE STARTED TO BECOME TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AS I WOULD TURN AND SO, I SCHEDULED A MAINTENANCE CHECK THROUGH MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPT. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THEY FOUND THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD GONE BAD. I HAVE 40,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND AS YOU KNOW THIS EXCEEDS THE TYPICAL 3YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY TRUCK IS 13 MONTHS OLD. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION FELT AT STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENOUGH VIBRATION FELT TO CAUSE FATIGUE TO THE OPERATOR'S FOREARMS/HANDS - MOST UNPLEASANT WHEN DRIVING 100+ MILES. *JB
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.