NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
464 reportsMileage unknown · May 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY NEW CAR 2006 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER (5XS) WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR AN ONGOING SQUEALING PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. ANY FIXES ARE TEMPORARY AND THE SQUEAL CONTINUES ON A NEW CAR THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.. MY CONCERN IS THAT IS A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE…
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I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY NEW CAR 2006 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER (5XS) WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR AN ONGOING SQUEALING PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. ANY FIXES ARE TEMPORARY AND THE SQUEAL CONTINUES ON A NEW CAR THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.. MY CONCERN IS THAT IS A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY JUST ARE NOT FIXING IT, I HAVE A FULL WARRANTY AND NOW I NOTICE WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK I STILL MOVE AND I HIT THE BRAKE BUT I AM IN PARK? MY CAR IS GOING BACK IN AGAIN THIS WED THE LAST TIME WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS... THIS IS THE LAST TIME FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228161
30,000 miles · May 6, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
GAS PEDAL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. WHEN I LET UP PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO LET A CAR MERGE IN AND THEN TRY TO RESUME SPEED, THE GAS PEDAL LOCKS AND WON'T GO DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226773
50,365 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Parking BrakeService Brakes, ElectricSteeringCrash
SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS FORD ESCAPE 2006 I HAVE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKES TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STEERING PUMPS BROKEN AND THE MOST IN TWO MONTHS I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE BRAKES WILL STOP AND THEN RELEASE. I KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE WHICH REQUIRES BRAKES CHECK MY COMPLAINTS AND AFTER THE FIRST THEY ACCIDENT IN MARCH W…
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SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS FORD ESCAPE 2006 I HAVE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKES TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STEERING PUMPS BROKEN AND THE MOST IN TWO MONTHS I HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE BRAKES WILL STOP AND THEN RELEASE. I KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE WHICH REQUIRES BRAKES CHECK MY COMPLAINTS AND AFTER THE FIRST THEY ACCIDENT IN MARCH WE ASKED FORD TO CHECK BRAKES THE SAID IT WAS FINE LESS THAN A MONTH LATER ANOTHER ACCIDENT SAME THING BRAKES STOP AND RELEASE WE TOOK IT BACK IN AND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN BROKEN I HAVE CHILDREN I DRIVE CHILDREN AND THIS COULD DEFINITELY HAVE HURT US OR SOMEONE ELSE MY CAR IS NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AND DANGEROUS ACTUALLY THE BODY SHOP SAID IT WAS BROKEN BEFORE. THE DEALERS CONVENIENTLY SAY I DID NOT COMPLAIN BUT ALL SERVICE CHECKS MY BRAKE DRUMS ARE CHECK I COMPLAIN OF PARKING BRAKE AND EXCESSIVE NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226056
55,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Seat Belts
I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE IN APRIL OF 2006. SINCE THEN TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES HAVE COME UP. FIRST OCCURRED IN 2007. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A FAULTY BOLT HOLDING THE REAR TIRE TO THE CHASIS FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FALLING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTR…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE IN APRIL OF 2006. SINCE THEN TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES HAVE COME UP. FIRST OCCURRED IN 2007. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A FAULTY BOLT HOLDING THE REAR TIRE TO THE CHASIS FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FALLING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD REPLACED THE BOLT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED APRIL 13, 2008. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. IT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. IN BOTH INSTANCES I WAS LUCKY THAT 1- I WAS NOT MOVING AT ANY GREAT SPEED AND 2- DID NOT NEED USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224583
31,723 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE BRAKES FAIL. HE MUST APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE ABS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON MARCH 1, 2008. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE BRAKES FAIL. HE MUST APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE ABS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON MARCH 1, 2008. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,723. UPDATED 04/29/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10223596
160 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222939
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS BROADSIDED AND KNOCKED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT END WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE UTILITY POLE. I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER'S 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. DUE TO THIS MY CHEST AND LEFT SHOULDER WERE INJURED GREATLY. I HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE SUV. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED I HEARD THEM MENTION THAT …
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I WAS BROADSIDED AND KNOCKED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT END WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE UTILITY POLE. I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER'S 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. DUE TO THIS MY CHEST AND LEFT SHOULDER WERE INJURED GREATLY. I HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE SUV. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED I HEARD THEM MENTION THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND TOLD THEM TO BE CAREFUL WHEN CUTTING ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TAKEN TO THE ER ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND ON THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO GO BACK BECAUSE OF HEAD AND CHEST PAINS. I DO BELIEVE IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED MY INJURED WOULD HAVE BEEN LESSER. I HAVE GREAT BILLS BECAUSE MY MOTHER'S INSURANCE DID NOT PAY THE BILLS, BECAUSE I DID NOT LIVE IN THE HOUSE WITH HER. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WRECKED VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221128
18,000 miles · Feb 17, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEEL CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HAS JERKED STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HAND 3 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218259
59,550 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Power Train
AFTER TRAVELING FOR 3 HOURS ON HIGHWAY THE VERY FIRST STOP I CAME TO, MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED IT AND IT STALLED UPON PUTTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT STALLS NOW UPON ANY STOP FROM DRIVING AND WHEN IN DRIVE AND UPON MOVING INTO A REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THIS …
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AFTER TRAVELING FOR 3 HOURS ON HIGHWAY THE VERY FIRST STOP I CAME TO, MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED IT AND IT STALLED UPON PUTTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT STALLS NOW UPON ANY STOP FROM DRIVING AND WHEN IN DRIVE AND UPON MOVING INTO A REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THIS CAR WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER REMAINING IN LOCKED POSITION AFTER CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FORD ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. I DID AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. AFTER 3 HOURS OF INSPECTION HE SAID THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE GOT INVOLVED AND TRIED TO FORCE ME TO DO MY COMPLETELY UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WITH THEM IN EXCHANGE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY KNOW FAILED, SAYING THEY NEEDED SOME "LOYALTY" FROM ME. THEY THEN SENT ME OUT IN WHAT THEY SAID WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THEY THEN CALLED ME BACK AND TRIED TO TELL ME THEY WANTED ME TO PICK UP APPROX. $682 OF THE $1815. THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND ARE HOLDING ME HOSTAGE TO REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216597
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2008
Seats
I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE THE HEIGHT OF THE ARM REST IN MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE. I AM A TALL PERSON AND DRIVE WITH THE SEAT IN THE FARTHEST REAR POSITION AND FIND THAT I HAVE TO ALWAYS RAISE UP MY ARM AND ELBOW IN ORDER TO SAFELY MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I FEEL THAT THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN …
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I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE THE HEIGHT OF THE ARM REST IN MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE. I AM A TALL PERSON AND DRIVE WITH THE SEAT IN THE FARTHEST REAR POSITION AND FIND THAT I HAVE TO ALWAYS RAISE UP MY ARM AND ELBOW IN ORDER TO SAFELY MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I FEEL THAT THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE LOOKED FOR LOWER REPLACEMENT ARMRESTS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING SUITABLE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION FOR ME. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10213723
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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