IllustrationTHE VEHICLE SLIPPED IN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BUT WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND TRANS DOESN'T ENGAGE CORRECTLY. *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
What owners actually said
464 reportsTL* 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.
I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, DOING 25 MPH, WHEN IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TOWED TO AAMCO IN RENTON WASHINGTON WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4270.50. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. ON 2-10-2014. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $468.11. I…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, DOING 25 MPH, WHEN IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TOWED TO AAMCO IN RENTON WASHINGTON WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4270.50. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. ON 2-10-2014. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $468.11. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND MOST HAD WELL OVER 100K MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL, MUCH LESS TWO TRANSMISSIONS FAIL. THIS SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL TO ME. *TR
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
DRIVING IN ROUTINE TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR APPEARED TO SHIFT TO OVERDRIVE THEN LOST ALL FORWARD DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES, THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO ENGAGE, AND THEN LOST ALL DRIVE AGAIN ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE GAVE NO EARLY INDICATION OF FAILURE. WE CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY HAD NO RE…
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DRIVING IN ROUTINE TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR APPEARED TO SHIFT TO OVERDRIVE THEN LOST ALL FORWARD DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES, THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO ENGAGE, AND THEN LOST ALL DRIVE AGAIN ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE GAVE NO EARLY INDICATION OF FAILURE. WE CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COMMENTS BY THE DRIVER OF THE TOWING SERVICE SUGGESTED OTHER ESCAPES IN THE AREA HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FURTHER RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS BECOME INFAMOUS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE. *TR
EXCESSIVE RUSTING IN RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL , SHOCK MOUNT COMING UNDONE. LOUD BANGING NOISE INSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
I HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHY ARE 06 FORD ESCAPES STILL ON THE ROAD? WHAT BUGS ME MORE IS THE FACT FORD AND EVERYONE IS TURNING THEIR HEADS TO THE ISSUE. NOT ONLY HAVE I READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FAILURE, I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE PERSON SAY FORD MADE ANY EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD I ONLY SEE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM DATING UP…
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I HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHY ARE 06 FORD ESCAPES STILL ON THE ROAD? WHAT BUGS ME MORE IS THE FACT FORD AND EVERYONE IS TURNING THEIR HEADS TO THE ISSUE. NOT ONLY HAVE I READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FAILURE, I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE PERSON SAY FORD MADE ANY EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD I ONLY SEE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM DATING UP TO NOW INVOLVING THIS SAME ISSUE. MY GRANDFATHER WHO PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 06 IS NOW ON DISABILITY AND NOW WITHOUT A CAR AFTER ONLY 52,000 MILES. THE CAUSE. ENGINE FAILURE LIKE THE REST. NO WARNING, NO NOTHING. INSTEAD A $6,000 QUOTE FOR A NEW ENGINE. A MONTH BEFORE THAT WE REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL FASTER THEN NORMAL BUT WHEN CHECKED THERE WAS NO LEAK. FOLLOWING THAT THE ENGINE BLEW ONE MORNING AFTER BEING STARTED AND HEARING A LOUD BANGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER HAVING IT CHECKED THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS FIRED AND OIL STARTED LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. LUCKY WE WERE PARKED BUT UNLIKE MOST COMPLAINTS IV READ PEOPLE WERE DRIVING OR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO TELL YOU HAVE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT IS AND COULD BE. ITS A PROBLEM TO MANY FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND NO ONE HAS TAKING ACTION. THAT VEHICLE IS A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE NEED TO LOSS MONEY OR POSSIBLE THEIR LIFE FOR SOMEONE TO STOP THIS? *TR
LOUD BANGING SOUND FOR REAR OF CAR. ON INSPECTION THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED THROUGH INCLUDING THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER. THE SHOCK ABSORB PUNCHED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL, AND WAS UNSUPPORTED, HITTING THE METAL OF THE INTERIOR. *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH & COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I REALIZED I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE IT BY STEPPING ON BRAKES OR HITTING THE GAS PEDAL REALLY HARD. THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN OCT 2009 & THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) THEN AGAIN IN NOV 2011 I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BUT IT WAS NOT…
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I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH & COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I REALIZED I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE IT BY STEPPING ON BRAKES OR HITTING THE GAS PEDAL REALLY HARD. THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN OCT 2009 & THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED (SUPPOSEDLY) THEN AGAIN IN NOV 2011 I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BUT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY & HAD TO PAY FOR IT. IT WAS ICY OUT & IT'S PRETTY DANGEROUS TO SLAM ON YOUR BRAKES TO RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD BUT THEY WOULD NOT REFUND ME NOR WAS THERE A RECALL. I JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM JULY 2014 & THE DEALER (SUPPOSEDLY) CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT CHARGED ME & I CALLED FORD BUT AGAIN THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL. I ALSO SPENT 7K IN FEB 2013 FOR A NEW ENGINE.....BEGINNING TO WONDER IF THAT WAS A WISE DECISION. *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.