IllustrationDRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY IN BOSTON CAR TOTALLY DIED. (THANKFUL THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC) CAR STARTED AND THEN LOCKED UP ENGINE STILL REVVING TRANSMISSION IN 2006 FORD ESCAPE BLEW WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. *TR
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
Power Train complaints
80 reportsTHE 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
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
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.
MY TRANSMISSION WENT AT 60K I BOUGHT IT AT 44K NO ONE SEND ME A SERVICE NOTE THAT IT HAD TO BE SERVICED AT 50K THE FORD COMPANY FOUND A TRANSMISSION WITH 70K & WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME 1900 A INDEPENDANT FOUND THE SAME ONE & CHARGE ME 1000 HOW SICK IS THIS & THEY WONDER Y PEOPLE DO NOT GO BACK TO THE FORD CO. & I WILL NOT. *TR
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING. CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. MINE STARTED TO GO BAD AT 58,000 (APPROX) MILES. WHEN BEARINGS FAIL DRIVER COULD LOSE FRONT BRAKES AND/OR FRONT WHEELS LEADING TO A CRASH. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND KNOW …
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FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING. CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. MINE STARTED TO GO BAD AT 58,000 (APPROX) MILES. WHEN BEARINGS FAIL DRIVER COULD LOSE FRONT BRAKES AND/OR FRONT WHEELS LEADING TO A CRASH. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND KNOW WHAT A FAILING WHEEL BEARING SOUNDS LIKE. *TR
BLOWN TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 38,000 MILES ON A 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 4WD. *TR
2006 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING,WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION UP TILL TODAY,AND IT JUST WENT.THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH..THEM WE LAST OVERDRIVE..THEN DRIVE 2..AND SO ON.ALL THING I HAVE READ ON LINE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES AND I DO FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE TRANSMISSION..FOR IT JUST TO G…
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2006 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING,WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION UP TILL TODAY,AND IT JUST WENT.THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH..THEM WE LAST OVERDRIVE..THEN DRIVE 2..AND SO ON.ALL THING I HAVE READ ON LINE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES AND I DO FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE TRANSMISSION..FOR IT JUST TO GO OUT OF THE BLUE AND NOT JUST ON OUR BUT ON ALL THE ONES I READ ABOUT..WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.WE HAVE KIDS AND WE TRAVEL AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE NOT NEAR HOME,I WOULD BE STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A 2YEAR OLD AND NOT HAPPY.I DO FEEL SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK IN TO THIS CAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE PAYING VERY HIGH REPAIR BILLS TO FIX THESE,AND SOME OF THESE BILL ARE LIKE 3TO 4 THOUS DOLLARS.SO PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS AND HELP OUT THE LITTLE GUYS AND SEE IF THIS IS A QUALITY PROBLEM AND IF THEY SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THANKS *TR
THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS FAILED DUE TO DRIVING MY CAR ON NUMEROUS LONG TRIPS. TSB 07-5-6 DESCRIBES THE EXACT PROBLEM AND FIX. IT OCCURRED TWICE AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REMOVED AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED FOR $1800. MY CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. *TR
TRANSMISSION WAS LOOSING FLUID AND VALVE ASSEMBLY THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. OVER $700.00 REPAIRS. ONLY 39,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. FORD NO HELP ON REPAIR. *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.