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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

Structure complaints

63 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2015
Structure

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUNK DOOR. A WHILE AGO, SOMETHING LIKE AUGUST 2014, I WENT TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO PUT GROCERIES IN AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AGAIN. NOTHING WORKED. SO I WENT A FEW WEEK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. ONE DAY I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN AND IT WORK…

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THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUNK DOOR. A WHILE AGO, SOMETHING LIKE AUGUST 2014, I WENT TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO PUT GROCERIES IN AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AGAIN. NOTHING WORKED. SO I WENT A FEW WEEK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. ONE DAY I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN AND IT WORKED. BUT NOW, JANUARY 2015, I TRIED OPENING MY TRUNK THE OTHER DAY TO TAKE THE GROCERIES OUT OF THERE AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN. I STILL CANT OPEN IT SO I THINK IM GONNA HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. ALSO THE HANDLE ON THE REAR RIGHT DOOR SEEMS TO BE LOOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679791

114,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY, WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS CAUSING A CONSTANT RATTLING AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP.CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY…

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THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY, WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS CAUSING A CONSTANT RATTLING AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP.CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES, SO I IMAGINE IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671574

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels

MY RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT IS NOW OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A TERRIBLE, CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671573

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels

THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE SHOCK.I CAN SEE INTO THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A LOUD RATTLE CONSTANTLY AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671568

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2014
StructureSuspension

I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE TIRE, SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649999

94,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE STRUT MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE STRUT MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641597

86,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WALL HAS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THE SHOCK IS NOT EVEN ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS HAPPENING ON MANY MANY OF THESE 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES. WE WE'RE LUCKY TO DISCOVER THE DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639982

134,000 miles · Sep 1, 2014
StructureSuspension

EXCESSIVE RUSTING IN RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL , SHOCK MOUNT COMING UNDONE. LOUD BANGING NOISE INSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629891

138,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Service BrakesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE SPEED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE SPEED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK POWER WAS RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE WELDED WITH METAL REPLACEMENT PLATES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,198.

NHTSA ODI #10610632

107,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
StructureWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595662

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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