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
Structure complaints
63 reportsWHEN A DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE HOOD FLEW UP ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WE USE FOR THE COMPANY. THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE THE COMPANY HAS, YEAR 2010, THAT I AM ALSO GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO CURRENT RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
THE LEFT QUARTER (DOG LEG ONLY METAL PATCH) SEVERILY RUSTED AND I HAD IT REPAIRED , MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RUSTED OUT. ONLY THE LEFT SIDE IS AFFECTED AND NO WATER REST IN THAT AREA. NOW HERE I AM 3 YEARS LATER AND THAT SAME AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE IS RUSTING AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL BE RUSTE…
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THE LEFT QUARTER (DOG LEG ONLY METAL PATCH) SEVERILY RUSTED AND I HAD IT REPAIRED , MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RUSTED OUT. ONLY THE LEFT SIDE IS AFFECTED AND NO WATER REST IN THAT AREA. NOW HERE I AM 3 YEARS LATER AND THAT SAME AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE IS RUSTING AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL BE RUSTED OUT JUST LIKE BEFORE. IT'S LIKE THE RUST CAME BACK WITH A VENEGENCE THE GUY AT B& K COLLISION WHERE I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED ADVISED ME HE COULDN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT THE RUST WOULDN'T RESURFACE, WELL IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. MY ISSUE IS WHY IS IT ONLY AFFECTING THE LEFT SIDE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR WHAT OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECTIVE PAIN AND/OR PART!!! I'VE SEEN OTHER FORD ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, SAME SIDE, ETC!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AT THE SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AT THE SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
THERE IS EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAS BROKEN SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO CONNECT TO CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND 2005. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING STATING THE VEHICLE SHOULD…
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THERE IS EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAS BROKEN SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO CONNECT TO CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND 2005. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING STATING THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SCRAPPED.
WHEN DRIVING I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD BANGING SOUND STARTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE SOUND THAT I HEARD. THEY POINTED OUT THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS N…
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WHEN DRIVING I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD BANGING SOUND STARTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE SOUND THAT I HEARD. THEY POINTED OUT THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS NOT AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR THAT WAS NEEDED BUT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. WE PLANNED TO WAIT UNTIL THE LOCAL ROADS WERE REPAIRED FROM THE POT HOLES DEVELOPED THROUGH WINTER. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, ON MARCH 20, 2015 THE SOUND HAD BECOME EXTREMELY WORSE AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SUSPENSION IS BARELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM THROUGH SEVERAL YEAR MODELS NOT JUST THE 2005. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE I WAS TOLD FORD WAS UNAWARE AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM DESPITE THE NUMEROUS LISTINGS OF PEOPLE ONLINE SAYING THEY HAVE REPORTED THE SAME KIND OF ISSUES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN SHORTLY AFTER HEARD SOMETHING RUBBING THEN VERY SHORTLY AFTER MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I STOPPED TO LOOK AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE AREA WHERE THE REAR STRUT ATTACHED TO THE BODY COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY NOT REPAIRABLE. *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.