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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.

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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

18 reports
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95,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

UPON PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAD NO PROPULSION. IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD SEEMED TO STICK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FO…

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UPON PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAD NO PROPULSION. IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD SEEMED TO STICK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FOR MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER. SHE DID NOT HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THANKFULLY BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572819

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

120,000 miles · Nov 23, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS WHENEVER TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW FREEZING. HAD ISSUES SINCE CAR WAS NEW IN 2006, BUT THIS WEEK ISSUE IS MUCH WORSE. NORMALLY YOU CAN PUSH HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL AND GET IT TO WORK. THIS WEEK I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP BEFORE I CAN DRIVE, THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT BUDGE. I'VE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT …

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GAS PEDAL STICKS WHENEVER TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW FREEZING. HAD ISSUES SINCE CAR WAS NEW IN 2006, BUT THIS WEEK ISSUE IS MUCH WORSE. NORMALLY YOU CAN PUSH HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL AND GET IT TO WORK. THIS WEEK I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP BEFORE I CAN DRIVE, THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT BUDGE. I'VE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FORD PLANS TO DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553506

97,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS AN 3:45 IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 60 DEGREE WEATHER. IN DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. LUCKILY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME OF T…

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THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS AN 3:45 IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 60 DEGREE WEATHER. IN DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. LUCKILY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME OF THE MORNING. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, HE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND.

NHTSA ODI #10544266

81,000 miles · Aug 18, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN THE UP POSITION. IF YOU NEED TO SPEED UP THE PEDAL WONT MOVE. IT IS LOCKED IN THE IDLE POSITION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN I COULD NOT SPEED UP TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN 18 WHEELER. IT NEARLY RAN OVER ME. THE PEDAL HAS STUCK AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE I H…

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DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN THE UP POSITION. IF YOU NEED TO SPEED UP THE PEDAL WONT MOVE. IT IS LOCKED IN THE IDLE POSITION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN I COULD NOT SPEED UP TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN 18 WHEELER. IT NEARLY RAN OVER ME. THE PEDAL HAS STUCK AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 ESCAPE. IF THE PEDAL STICKS AT THE WRONG TIME, SOMEONE SOMEWHERE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535945

60,000 miles · Mar 24, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL WOULD GET STUCK WHEN YOU WERE DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT COST FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS (I THINK). WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES LIKE THIS. ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. SAW RECENTLY THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE (ONLINE). THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504333

140,000 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN COLD. THE GAS PEDAL WILL LOCK UP AND NOT UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493474

100,000 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

NOTICED MY GARAGE SMELLED OF GAS. FOUND DRIPS OF GASOLINE UNDER MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE. I FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE SECOND PLASTIC STRAP FROM THE FUEL TANK, THE LINE HAS A SMALL SLOW LEAK. IT APPEARS THE PLASTIC STRAPS WORE A HOLE IN THE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475898

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.

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