IllustrationTransmission Stirring pump Spark plugs
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
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsMy steering started locking up and now my vehicle will stall and shut completely down while doing 65 miles an hour and now it won't run at all
Code P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354, P0355, P0356. Vehicle shut down on the interstate on the way home for work, 2½ hours from home. And will not restart. Pcm most likely the problem.
DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AT A FILL TANK OF GAS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP AND SOME TIMES. STAY OFF FOR A LONG TIME VEHICLE STAY RUNNING AND GOES DOWN THE ROAD .
MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE EXTERNAL HYBRID INVERTER COOLING PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5+ TIMES,USUALLY DURING 70 DEGREE (F) + TEMPS. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & FORD MOTOR CORP RAN THE VIN,WITH NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. …
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MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE EXTERNAL HYBRID INVERTER COOLING PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5+ TIMES,USUALLY DURING 70 DEGREE (F) + TEMPS. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & FORD MOTOR CORP RAN THE VIN,WITH NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE RUNNING AND SHAKES WHILE STOPPED/IDLES.
THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HAVING HAS TO DO WITH THE CAR JUST SHUTTING OFF AND LOSING POWER, MAINLY ON THE INTERSTATE. WE STARTED HAVING THE PROBLEM BACK IN JUNE OF 17 WHEN MY WIFE BROKE DOWN IN FAYETTEVILLE NC ON HER WAY TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST AAA SERVICE CENTER. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT SAI…
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THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HAVING HAS TO DO WITH THE CAR JUST SHUTTING OFF AND LOSING POWER, MAINLY ON THE INTERSTATE. WE STARTED HAVING THE PROBLEM BACK IN JUNE OF 17 WHEN MY WIFE BROKE DOWN IN FAYETTEVILLE NC ON HER WAY TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST AAA SERVICE CENTER. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT SAID SHE NEED A NEW BATTERY. FAST FORWARD TO MAY 6 2018, NOT QUITE 11 MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. SAME THING, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, DASH CLUSTER SHUTS DOWN, NO RADIO OR A/C, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS LOSING POWER AND SLOWING DOWN UNTIL THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL. EVERYTHING WE HAVE READ POINTS TO A PROBLEM THE ALTERNATOR. EVERY POST WE HAVE READ, AROUND 40, SAYS THE SAME THING. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL FORD ESCAPES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THEIR VEHICLES LOSING POWER AND GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND MY A TRACTOR TRAILER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS. OR FORD CAN REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW ONE. SOME POSTS DON'T EVEN HAVE THAT WARNING LIKE WE DID, THEY SAID IT JUST SHUT DOWN FOR NO REASON. I BELIEVE FORD KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MIST OF NO ALL FORD ESCAPES WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT BELIEVE THEY ARE COVERING UP THE PROBLEM. AGAIN, PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ASK THE PUBLIC WHO OWN ESCAPES FOR ANY ISSUES LIKE WE HAVE HAD AND FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE POSTED THE SAME ISSUES. THANK YOU YOUR HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED FROM A PROBLEM THAT FORD CAN FIX. THEY NEED TO ISSUE A MAJOR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN GET THIS FIXED. WE HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT WHICH HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS. IT'S ONLY BEEN THIS PAST 11 MONTHS THAT THESE PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN. ANY THANKS FOR ANY INPUT TO GET FORD TO RIGHT THIS WRONG.
1) ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN AN UPWARD POSITION CANNOT PUSH DOWN TO ACCELERATE AS IF IT IS FROZEN. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR PUSHING WITH MY FOOT IT WILL RELEASES. WHEN STOPPED THE PEDAL STICK AGAIN BUT WILL RELEASE BUT VEHICLE GOES IN A JERKING MOTION BECAUSE IT IS TRYING TO STICK AGAIN THIS HAPPENS UPON BEING PARKED OR DRIVIN…
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1) ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN AN UPWARD POSITION CANNOT PUSH DOWN TO ACCELERATE AS IF IT IS FROZEN. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR PUSHING WITH MY FOOT IT WILL RELEASES. WHEN STOPPED THE PEDAL STICK AGAIN BUT WILL RELEASE BUT VEHICLE GOES IN A JERKING MOTION BECAUSE IT IS TRYING TO STICK AGAIN THIS HAPPENS UPON BEING PARKED OR DRIVING IN THE CITY OR COUNTRY IT HAPPENS WHENEVER I NEED TO ACCELERATE. IT HAS STARTED DOING THIS WITHIN THE PAST MONTH BUT AS OF 11/10/17 IT WAS COMPLETELY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND NOT BUDGING 2) ELECTRICAL ISSUES- WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON OR ANYTHING INSIDE THE VEHICLE LIGHTSABER ARE FLICKERING AND BECOME SLIGHTLY DIM
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT THEN CAME ON. MY CHILD WAS BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED. TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, YET WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS NO ACTIVE…
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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT THEN CAME ON. MY CHILD WAS BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED. TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, YET WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS ITEM. SHOP SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW FORD OEM ABS MODULE ASSEMBLY 3F2Z2C219AB. *TT UPDATED 7/24/18*JB
DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. IN PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE UP AND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NEVER RECORD THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK OR AT TIMES ENGAGE THE BRAKES. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL BU…
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DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. IN PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE UP AND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NEVER RECORD THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK OR AT TIMES ENGAGE THE BRAKES. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL BUT I KNOW THIS VEHICLE DID HAVE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. UPON IMPACT IT APPEARED I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I HAVE DRIVEN DOWN THAT CITY ROAD THOUSANDS OF TIMES BUT IT APPEARED THIS TIME THERE WAS A ISSUE WITH HE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. INJURIES WERE AIRBAG RELATED. *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.