IllustrationGAS PEDAL STUCK WITHIN 1/10 MILE OF TRAVEL ON COLD MORNING. FIRST HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2009. HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN JANUARY 2011. CAR IDLED, BUT COULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE TRAVELING. COASTED TO STOP IN RIGHT LANE. REPEATED PRESSING PRODUCED NO RESPONSE. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES IN EACH INSTANCE PEDAL BECAME OPERABLE.
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 THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH EXTREMELY LITTLE MOVEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH EXTREMELY LITTLE MOVEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAD BEEN THERE FOR OVER A MONTH, AND CURRENTLY REMAINED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS INTERNAL DAMAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION, AND DISCOVERED A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM DEFECT. THE DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION AND CONTINUED TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. SHE STATED THAT THE WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE AND OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HINGES BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. SHE STATED THAT THE WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE AND OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HINGES BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
MY GAS PEDAL STICKS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN I TRY TO PRESS ON THE GAS, THE PEDAL WILL NOT BUDGE UNLESS I PRESS EXTREMELY HARD. THIS PROBLEM WILL LAST UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS IS EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC IN THE SNOW! *TR
AT 9 MONTHS PREGNANT, WHILE DRIVING HOME I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I BROUGHT IT THERE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO OIL IN THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY OIL CHANGED A MONTH BEFORE. THE OIL LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND WE DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKING OIL. I …
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AT 9 MONTHS PREGNANT, WHILE DRIVING HOME I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I BROUGHT IT THERE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO OIL IN THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY OIL CHANGED A MONTH BEFORE. THE OIL LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND WE DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKING OIL. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER TELLING ME THAT MY ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 46,000 MILES! HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKING MY OIL EVERY TIME I GOT GAS (AT 9 MONTHS PREGNANT!) AND IT WAS UP TO ME TO KEEP UP WITH IT, NOT THE CHECK OIL LIGHT. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD NOT RELY ON THOSE INDICATORS. A NEW ENGINE AND $5000 LATER AND NOW MY CAR LEAKS OIL. I HAVE BEEN BRINGING IT IN EVERY MONTH TO FIX THE LEAK AND IT ALWAYS STARTS AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE 1 MORE YEAR LEFT FOR MY ENGINE WARRANTY AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT THEY WILL FIND THE EXPENSIVE PROBLEM AS SOON AS THAT TIME COMES. I'M SO UPSET AND FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR AND EVEN MORE SO WITH THE SERVICE. *TR
THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE REAR WINDOW WASHER WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN EXPRESSWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THEREFORE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY IMPAIRED. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND REPORTS OF THE WASHER FLUID LINE BECOMING DISCONNECTED NEAR TH…
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THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE REAR WINDOW WASHER WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN EXPRESSWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THEREFORE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY IMPAIRED. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND REPORTS OF THE WASHER FLUID LINE BECOMING DISCONNECTED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. THE ON LINE REPORTS SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, TOLD WHERE THE FAULT WAS AND THAT THE RIGHT SIDE INNER FENDER HAD TO BE REMOVED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THE FAULTY CONNECTION, AND ADDED PLASTIC WIRE WRAPS TO SECURE FOUR CONNECTIONS IN THE AREA FROM COMING LOOSE AGAIN. *TR
I DROVE MY CAR FROM MY HOME, TO WORK THAT MORNING. IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY SO I TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST SO I COULD SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I DROVE MY NORMAL COMMUTE, ABOUT 7 MINUTES TO WORK, PARKED MY CAR, AND WENT INSIDE. WITHIN 20 MINUTES I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND NOTICED THAT MY BACK WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT AND EXPLODED ALL O…
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I DROVE MY CAR FROM MY HOME, TO WORK THAT MORNING. IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY SO I TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST SO I COULD SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I DROVE MY NORMAL COMMUTE, ABOUT 7 MINUTES TO WORK, PARKED MY CAR, AND WENT INSIDE. WITHIN 20 MINUTES I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND NOTICED THAT MY BACK WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT AND EXPLODED ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT. I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE AND FILE A CLAIM TO HAVE THE WINDOW REPLACED. *TR
I REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM 13 DAYS AGO, BUT HAVE HAD ANOTHER ACCELERATION PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY. AGAIN, VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED. INSTEAD, CAR CONTINUED PULLING AT SAME SPEED AND THEN BEGAN SPEEDING UP. I WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO USE THE BRAKES TO FI…
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I REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM 13 DAYS AGO, BUT HAVE HAD ANOTHER ACCELERATION PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY. AGAIN, VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED. INSTEAD, CAR CONTINUED PULLING AT SAME SPEED AND THEN BEGAN SPEEDING UP. I WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO USE THE BRAKES TO FIGHT AGAINST THE PULL OF THE CAR WHILE MANEUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC TO AVOID WRECKING. HAD TO USE BRAKES CONSTANTLY UNTIL I COULD GET THE CAR TO A LOT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN IN PARK, MOTOR WAS RACING AT 4000 RPM'S. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TRIED THREE TIMES TO RESTART. EACH TIME VEHICLE RACED TO 4000 RPMS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED ON 12/15/2010 AS REPORTED HERE PREVIOUSLY. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN STICKING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS IN POSITION AND I CANNOT DEPRESS IT. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT WORKED FINE IN REVERSE, BUT WHEN I SWITCHED GEARS IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT TO WORK, I TRAVELED ABOUT…
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THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN STICKING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS IN POSITION AND I CANNOT DEPRESS IT. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. IT WORKED FINE IN REVERSE, BUT WHEN I SWITCHED GEARS IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT TO WORK, I TRAVELED ABOUT TWENTY FIVE FEET AND THEN IT LOCKED UP AGAIN. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS GOING TO STICK. THIS CAN PROVE TO BE VERY DANGEROUS MY SON CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS TO BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX, AND I'VE READ ABOUT MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING WITH THE SAME DEFECTS. IT SEEMS IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING THING SINCE 2001. MY HUSBAND IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WE'VE CURRENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT REGARDING THAT VEHICLE ALSO. *TR
2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT - LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. HAD GLASS/REAR WIPER REPLACED BUT WAS THEN BLOWING FUSES. SO NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE REAR WIPER MOTOR REPLACED ON TOP OF THE GLASS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF SAME ISSUE BUT STILL NO RECALL. *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.