NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
464 reports40,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE GAS PEDAL ON OUR 2006 FORD ESCAPE LOCKS UP AT RANDOM TIMES, CAUSING AN INABILITY TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES INSTANTLY INOPERABLE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE PEDAL TO UNLOCK, IS TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACTIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS…
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THE GAS PEDAL ON OUR 2006 FORD ESCAPE LOCKS UP AT RANDOM TIMES, CAUSING AN INABILITY TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BECOMES INSTANTLY INOPERABLE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE PEDAL TO UNLOCK, IS TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACTIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LIST. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. PLEASE GO ON THE WEB AND YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS SAME CASE SCENARIOS. THIS IS DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE TO THINK OF THIS EACH TIME WE DRIVE THIS CAR. HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304739
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2010
Visibility
I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE AND I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK AND CAME OUT AFTER I STARTED MY REMOTE STARTER INSIDE TO FIND MY CARS REAR WINDOW BLOWN OUT. MY HUSBAND HAD TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST THAT MORNING. IT HAS NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE, WHICH I AM SURE IS THE CAUSE BEHIND IT. I CAME HOME AND CALLED POLICE. MY REAR G…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE AND I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK AND CAME OUT AFTER I STARTED MY REMOTE STARTER INSIDE TO FIND MY CARS REAR WINDOW BLOWN OUT. MY HUSBAND HAD TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST THAT MORNING. IT HAS NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE, WHICH I AM SURE IS THE CAUSE BEHIND IT. I CAME HOME AND CALLED POLICE. MY REAR GLASS WINDOW AND THE ARMS FOR IT ARE RUINED. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED. THEN I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND THE FORD FORUM AND HEARD EVERYONE ELSE'S INCIDENTS AND IT SOUNDED QUITE FAMILIAR. I AM HAPPY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD, I HAVE A SEVEN YEAR OLD THAT SITS IN A BOOSTER SEAT AND IF IT HURT HIM IN ANY WAY I WOULD FEEL SORRY FOR FORD CAUSE I WOULD BE THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE. OR WHERE I WAS PARKED AT MY WORK (NURSING HOME) THAT IS WHERE THE RESIDENTS GO OUT FOR A CIGARETTE SO IF IT EXPLODED IN THEIR FACE. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LAW SUIT FOR SURE, NOT TO MENTION WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303552
64,000 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Electrical System
I OWN A 2006 ESCAPE. SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2009, THE SUNROOF SEEMS TO OPEN 'AT WILL'. I CLOSE IT WITH DIFFICULTY (THE REAR PART WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY; IF IT DOES THE FRONT PART IS AJAR. WHEN IT DOES CLOSE COMPLETELY, IT EVENTUALLY OPENS AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300056
51,287 miles · Jan 2, 2010
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2006 FORD ESCAPE, ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT BEGAN RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH BANGING, CLANKING AND GRINDING NOISES, BUCKING, AND JUMPING, WITH AN APPARENT ODOR OF GEAR FLUID ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE., AND THE ON DASH BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM DIDN'T REPORT ANY PROBLEMS, WHEN CHECKED. …
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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2006 FORD ESCAPE, ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT BEGAN RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH BANGING, CLANKING AND GRINDING NOISES, BUCKING, AND JUMPING, WITH AN APPARENT ODOR OF GEAR FLUID ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE., AND THE ON DASH BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM DIDN'T REPORT ANY PROBLEMS, WHEN CHECKED. WE DROVE IT HOME AND THEN TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR PLACE, WHERE THEY TOOK THE TRANSMISSION APART . THE TRANSFER CASE WAS FILLED WITH METAL SHAVINGS AND THE GEARS WERE COMPLETELY STRIPPED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS BAD AND ALSO HAS TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR THE ESCAPE TO BE DRIVEN ANY LONGER IN THIS CONDITION, AND PARTS WERE ACTUALLY BANGING INTO ONE ANOTHER AND COULD HAVE FALLEN ONTO THE GROUND. WE ARE HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED, AND A USED TRANSFER CASE IN GOOD CONDITION IS BEING INSTALLED IN IT. THIS VEHICLE IS CALLED AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, BUT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO TOW ANYTHING, AND HAS JUST 51,287 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297801
83,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR WINDOW HAD SUDDENLY SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83900. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10294948
92,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Visibility
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @ 60MPH, 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE, REAR WINDOW DEFROST ON, REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294866
84,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE BEYOND 50 MPH. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE BEYOND 50 MPH. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THE DEALER COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10292657
46,000 miles · Nov 7, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES MY GAS PEDAL STARTED LOCKING UP WHEN I TRY TO PRESS IT DOWN. IT APPEARS THAT IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT IS COLD OR THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291312
86,000 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Visibility
REAR WINDOW "EXPLODES" FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NO ONE INSIDE - REAR DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON PRIOR TO SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290340
46,000 miles · Oct 23, 2009
Wheels
I OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT . I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RIMS, NOT THE TIRES. IT SEEMS THAT ON EVERY SINGLE RIM, THE PAINT ON THE RIM IS BUBBLING UP. ALL 4 RIMS HAVE BUBBLING ALL IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS.THE PAINT BUBBLING IS FORMING IN THE CENTER OF THE RIM, RIGHT AROUND THE FORD CENTER CAP. UNDER THE BUBBLING, IT APPEARS T…
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I OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT . I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RIMS, NOT THE TIRES. IT SEEMS THAT ON EVERY SINGLE RIM, THE PAINT ON THE RIM IS BUBBLING UP. ALL 4 RIMS HAVE BUBBLING ALL IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS.THE PAINT BUBBLING IS FORMING IN THE CENTER OF THE RIM, RIGHT AROUND THE FORD CENTER CAP. UNDER THE BUBBLING, IT APPEARS THAT RUST IS FORMING. THIS IS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD. I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT IS DUE TO THE NY WEATHER. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALERSHIP. MY ESCAPE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY EVEN TOOK A LOOK AT THE RIMS AND HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE PAINT IS BUBBLING ON ALL RIMS , ALL IN THE SAME SPOT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE RIMS. THEREFORE, I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW RIMS FOR MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289511
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
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.
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.
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