NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
464 reports85,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK RETAINER WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK RETAINER WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK RETAINER HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10731720
79,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE HARNESS INSIDE THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRE HARNESS INSIDE THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10730692
142,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Unknown Or Other
MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WE SPLURGED ON RUST PROOFING. WE JUST LEARNED THAT OUR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD REFUSES TO HELP RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WE COULD HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER…
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MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WE SPLURGED ON RUST PROOFING. WE JUST LEARNED THAT OUR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD REFUSES TO HELP RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WE COULD HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER DISSATISFIED FORD ESCAPE CUSTOMERS ONLINE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP FROM FORD. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. YES, OUR CAR IS GETTING ON IN YEARS BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE DISINTEGRATING FROM RUST ESPECIALLY WHEN WE BOUGHT A RUSF PROOFING PROTECTION PACKAGE. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT.
NHTSA ODI #10730529
156,000 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA ODI #10730332
159,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AT THE SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AT THE SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
NHTSA ODI #10726186
135,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT SENSOR SERVICE KIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT SENSOR SERVICE KIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 8/28/15*CN UPDATED 10/14/15*JS
NHTSA ODI #10724930
72,632 miles · Jun 9, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering
AFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPON SAFELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AT 35 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. NO …
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AFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPON SAFELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER MILE AT 35 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. RE-STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED & NO APPARENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DETECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10724325
101,154 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,154.MA 08/04/15 UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10724252
80,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10723912
134,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Electrical SystemHybrid Propulsion SystemTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY PACK FAN KIT AND THE TRACTION AUXILI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY PACK FAN KIT AND THE TRACTION AUXILIARY MODE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10723672
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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