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
What owners actually said
464 reports
85,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BUMP FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BUMP FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ...UPDATED 02/03/16 *BF; UPDATED 4/6/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10776559
126,466 miles · Sep 16, 2015
SteeringInjury
ON JULY 24, 2015 MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS, 6 AND 2 YEARS OLD WERE ALMOST KILLED WHEN THE POWERED STEERING SYSTEM FAILED, THE CAR WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND HIT THE CURVE GOING OVER THE SIDEWALK. MY 6 YEAR OLD GOT A BRUISE ON HIS HEAD FROM HITTING THE WINDOW AND A WALKING PEDESTRIAN ALMOST GOT KILLED. IF MY WIFE WAS GOING A LITTLE F…
Read full complaint
ON JULY 24, 2015 MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS, 6 AND 2 YEARS OLD WERE ALMOST KILLED WHEN THE POWERED STEERING SYSTEM FAILED, THE CAR WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND HIT THE CURVE GOING OVER THE SIDEWALK. MY 6 YEAR OLD GOT A BRUISE ON HIS HEAD FROM HITTING THE WINDOW AND A WALKING PEDESTRIAN ALMOST GOT KILLED. IF MY WIFE WAS GOING A LITTLE FASTER, WE WOULD BE DEALING WITH A MURDER BY NEGLIGENCE CASE. THE POWER STEERING IN THIS MODEL IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC; I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THESE PARTS. IVE NEVER SEEN THIS SYSTEM BEFORE; AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I KNOW THIS SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE FOR ANY OF THE CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE, SUCH AS STEERING OR BRAKES. THE MOTOR COULD SHORT OR THE BRUSHES MAY WEAR, MOTOR DRIVES MAY BURN, AND EVEN A LOW BATTERY COULD TURN THESE STEERING ASSISTANCE INTO A LOAD, MAKING MANEUVERS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. ALSO A COMPUTER CODE COULD CREATE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE FATALITIES MAKING SHARP TURNS AT HIGH VELOCITIES. A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MAY GO LOW ON FLUID AND MAKE SOUNDS; IT MAY GET A LITTLE HARDER TO TURN BUT NEVER WILL GET TOTALLY STUCK. THIS SYSTEM IS NOT SAFE FOR SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS THE STEERING TRAIN!
NHTSA ODI #10764148
200 miles · Sep 15, 2015
SteeringStructureSuspension
RIGHT 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.
NHTSA ODI #10763978
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2015
Structure
WHEN 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.
NHTSA ODI #10759936
70,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT TONE RINGS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT TONE RINGS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10759399
83,000 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE COST WAS ESTIMATED AT OVER 1,000. DOLLAR TO FIX. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SAFETY …
Read full complaint
THE 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE COST WAS ESTIMATED AT OVER 1,000. DOLLAR TO FIX. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. SINCE I REPLACED THE 2 REAR SHOCKS THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUSTING CLUNKING ISSUE HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND IS A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE. PLEASE MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COMMON TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10745283
150,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Structure
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10744694
90,000 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROG…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10734595
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2015
Structure
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…
Read full complaint
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!!!
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.
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.
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
1
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.
Illustration