← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
124,000 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Visibility

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY, NO ONE WAS IN OR AROUND IT. I WAS LOOKING OUT THE FRONT WINDOW WATCHING IT SNOW OUTSIDE WHEN I SAW THE REAR WINDOW GLASS EXPLODE AND GLASS FLEW ALL OVER THE DRIVE WAY. THE BROKEN GLASS WAS VERY EASY TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE FRESH SNOW ON THE DRIVE WAY. ONCE AGAIN NO ONE WAS NEAR OR IN THE CAR. *…

Read full complaint

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY, NO ONE WAS IN OR AROUND IT. I WAS LOOKING OUT THE FRONT WINDOW WATCHING IT SNOW OUTSIDE WHEN I SAW THE REAR WINDOW GLASS EXPLODE AND GLASS FLEW ALL OVER THE DRIVE WAY. THE BROKEN GLASS WAS VERY EASY TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE FRESH SNOW ON THE DRIVE WAY. ONCE AGAIN NO ONE WAS NEAR OR IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562285

70,000 miles · Jan 30, 2014
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED WITH A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED WITH A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ..UPDATED 04-22-14 *BF UPDATED 04/24 /14

NHTSA ODI #10562206

75,000 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL PRESSURE NOT RELEASED AND FUEL FLEW BACK OUT IN FACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561953

140,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE IDLE POSITION - LIKE IT FROZE UP. I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES UNTIL IT LOOSENED UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS AND TYPICALLY ON COLDER DAYS LESS THAN 32 DEGREES F. AFTER A THROTTLE BODY C…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE IDLE POSITION - LIKE IT FROZE UP. I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES UNTIL IT LOOSENED UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS AND TYPICALLY ON COLDER DAYS LESS THAN 32 DEGREES F. AFTER A THROTTLE BODY CLEANOUT BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, IT GOT WORSE. I LOOKED ON LINE FOR REVIEWS ON 2006 FORD ESCAPES, AND SAW THAT MANY, MANY OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS ON THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THIS IS THE COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561750

120,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER/ GAS PEDAL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH FREQUENCY OF CONDITION INCREASES AS TEMPERATURES DECREASE < 25F. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSES ISSUE AS A FAILED AIR BYPASS VALVE (PART NUMBER: 3S6Z-9F715-AA), REPLACED VALVE. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. ENGINE PEDAL STICKS, ENGINE RPM…

Read full complaint

COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER/ GAS PEDAL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH FREQUENCY OF CONDITION INCREASES AS TEMPERATURES DECREASE < 25F. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSES ISSUE AS A FAILED AIR BYPASS VALVE (PART NUMBER: 3S6Z-9F715-AA), REPLACED VALVE. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. ENGINE PEDAL STICKS, ENGINE RPM INCREASES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY REASON THAT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL (JOCKEYING CLUTCH PEDAL TO LIMIT ENGINE RPM). THROTTLE BODY WAS REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. SUSPECT FAILED THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561721

128,000 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND IT PREVENTS ME FROM ACCELERATING FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT STUCK FOR ATLEAST 3MINUTES THE MORE I DRIVE THE WORST IT GETS. NOW IT WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STICKS I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING AND WAIT SOMETIMES 5. MINUTES AT A TIME UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL UNSTICKS…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND IT PREVENTS ME FROM ACCELERATING FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT STUCK FOR ATLEAST 3MINUTES THE MORE I DRIVE THE WORST IT GETS. NOW IT WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STICKS I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING AND WAIT SOMETIMES 5. MINUTES AT A TIME UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL UNSTICKS SO I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560159

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2014
Suspension

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I NOTICED A NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY ESCAPE. AFTER INSPECTION THE SHOCK MOUNT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CREATING A HOLE THE SIZE OF MY ARM IN RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD CLAIMS DOESN'T EXIST.…

Read full complaint

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I NOTICED A NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY ESCAPE. AFTER INSPECTION THE SHOCK MOUNT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CREATING A HOLE THE SIZE OF MY ARM IN RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD CLAIMS DOESN'T EXIST. I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A USED AUTO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED IT FOR A YEAR YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559249

130,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK SUPPORT IS NEARLY ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT. THE RUST DAMAGE I'VE OBSERVED APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE LEFT WHEEL WELL IS NOT SUFFERING FROM THE SAME CORROSION PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SEEMIN…

Read full complaint

THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK SUPPORT IS NEARLY ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT. THE RUST DAMAGE I'VE OBSERVED APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE LEFT WHEEL WELL IS NOT SUFFERING FROM THE SAME CORROSION PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SEEMINGLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IMPACTING 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES. I'VE CHECKED WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES. I DO REALIZE THAT I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS 8-YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE, AND THE DAMAGE I'M SEEING SEEMS TO BE CLEARLY ABOVE BEYOND WHAT WOULD BE WARRANTED FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558744

85,000 miles · Jan 3, 2014
Engine

I ALWAYS KEPT THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE (85,000 MILES). ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2013 MY HUSBAND AND I CHECKED ALL OF THE CAR'S FLUIDS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ONE WEEK LATER AS WE EXITED THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND MAKE A VERY LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. THE OIL SENSOR NEVER WENT OFF A…

Read full complaint

I ALWAYS KEPT THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE (85,000 MILES). ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2013 MY HUSBAND AND I CHECKED ALL OF THE CAR'S FLUIDS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ONE WEEK LATER AS WE EXITED THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND MAKE A VERY LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. THE OIL SENSOR NEVER WENT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT TURN ON UNTIL A FEW BLOCKS LATER. THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO OUR REGULAR MECHANICS. THE DAMAGE WAS SO BAD THAT THEY HAD TO CALL IN ANOTHER MECHANIC IN ORDER TO TRY AND FIGURE WHAT THE BEST SOLUTION COULD BE. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR NEEDED 4 QUARTS OF OIL EVEN THOUGH ONLY A WEEK BEFORE WE HAD CHECKED THE OIL. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND OTHER PARTS IN THE CAR HAVE ALSO BEEN EFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558284

130,000 miles · Dec 11, 2013
Steering

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.

NHTSA ODI #10555747

Official recalls

3

15V606000 · 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

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems