2006 Ford Escape

Family: Escape · filed with NHTSA as ESCAPE, ESCAPE HEV, ESCAPE HYBRID

Summary

In its first three years the 2006 Escape drew 64 complaints — 0.5× the median of its generation (2001–2007). It is among the least-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Brakes, holds 24% of the 710 that name a component.
6 recalls filed for this model year.
2 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 720
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 2
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 19–29
Annual fuel cost: $2,150–$3,300
Median mileage at complaint: 85,963 mi (n = 643)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 23 / 10 / 30 / 2

What owners report

Brakes

173 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 78,000 mi (n = 162)

Owner report WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS AND CITY SPEEDS, ABS LIGHT COME ON WITH SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE APPEARS WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING. BRAKING IS TOUGH AND BARELY STOPS EVEN WITH HARD FOOT PRESSURE ON PEDAL. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT INTERMITTENTLY HAPPENS. ONCE YOU LET THE CAR SIT FOR AWHILE (SINCE YOU ARE SCAR…

Owner report PARKING / EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. CABLE ROUTED FROM HAND LEVER TO REAR BRAKES GOES THROUGH A BRACKET MOUNTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY. BRACKET SEPARATED FROM UNDER-BODY OF VEHICLE RENDERING HAND BRAKE INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A SLOPE WITH REGULAR BRAKES APPLIED. PARKING BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED TO KEE…

Engine

127 complaints · 18% of complaints that name a component · median 99,000 mi (n = 113)

Owner report The idler pulley on the subject vehicle has failed numerous times, with the mounting bolt shearing at the connection to the timing cover. Upon failure of the pulley the serpentine belt will either fail or become dislodged; when this occurs the steering, alternator, and water pump all stop operating. The vehicle becomes…

Owner report The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed that the smoke had increased. The contact stated that as he exited the vehicle, the smoke be…

Accelerator & Cruise Control

119 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 81,000 mi (n = 106)

Owner report The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle started to lose motive power. Additionally, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal remained floored after being depressed. The contact drove to a parking lot and t…

Owner report The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was sticking while being depressed. The contact had to continually depress the pedal to release the accelerator pedal. The failure occurred mostly during cold temperatures. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was …

1% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2001–2007)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 118.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2001	996	468	most complaints
2002	1,027	418	most complaints
2003	558	121
2004	499	60	fewest complaints
2005	1,584	115
2006	720	64	fewest complaints
2007	393	45	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

15V606000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Filed 2015-09-29 · 57 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

15E045000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

Filed 2015-06-03 · 576 vehicles

Defect: The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

14V526000 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Filed 2014-09-03 · 70,209 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

10E043000 · EQUIPMENT

Filed 2010-09-03 · 294 vehicles

Defect: MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

06V382000 · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

Filed 2006-10-05 · 6,164 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID VEHICLES, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND MAY FRACTURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Risk: IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, THE POWERTRAIN WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO TRANSMIT TORQUE TO THE DRIVE WHEELS AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVETRAIN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V520000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Filed 2005-11-09 · 199,942 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP22005	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM	2023-01-27	2023-08-07	22V063000
DP12006	ENGINE	2012-10-02	2013-02-21

DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds

DP12006: Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Escape 4WD	2.3L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	18	22	20	$3100
Escape 4WD	2.3L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	19	24	21	$2950
Escape 4WD	3.0L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	17	21	19	$3300
Escape FWD	2.3L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	20	23	21	$2950
Escape FWD	2.3L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	21	27	23	$2700
Escape FWD	3.0L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	18	23	20	$3100
Escape Hybrid 4WD	2.3L 4cyl Hybrid	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	28	26	27	$2300
Escape Hybrid FWD	2.3L 4cyl Hybrid	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	30	28	29	$2150

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2006 Ford Escape 4-DR.	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	★★★☆☆
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4-DR	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 43 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2023-04-04	STRUCTURE	For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification numbe…
2016-09-21	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …
2016-09-21	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …
2016-09-08	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY	Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery control module (TBCM). Thes…
2016-06-08	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT	2005-2008 ESCAPE/MARINER HYBRID - ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH DTC(S) C1478, C1479, C1480 AND/OR C1481
2012-03-01	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	FORD/MERCURY: SOME HYBRID VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE A UNIQUE BLEED PROCEDURE AFTER A REPLACEMENT FOR ONE OR MORE OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *PE
2010-09-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	FORD/MERCURY: MIL ON WITH DTC P0351-P0356; MULTIPLE COIL PRIMARY CIRCUIT. BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/03/05. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A MULFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES …
2009-12-01	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY	FORD/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0A81 (BATTERY PACK COOLING FAN 1 CONTROL CIRCUIT) AND/OR P0A96 (BATTERY PACK COOLING FAN 2 CONTROL CIRCUIT) IN THE TRACTION BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (TBCM). THESE CODES BY…
2009-06-01	EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	FORD/MERCURY: VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND CODES INDICATING A TRANSAXLE OVERTEMP. CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED POWER AS SYSTEM ACTIVATES FAIL SAFE OPERATION. *PE
2008-04-01	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING	2005-08 ESCAPE/ESCAPE HYBRID/MARINER - 2006-08 MARINER HYBRID - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR RING REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE UPDATE TO WORKSHOP MANUAL. *NJ

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Escape, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Escape model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.