2006 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (90) · Suspension (47) · Power Train (45)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
405 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2015-09-29 · campaign 15V606000 · 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
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 v
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 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.
Fix: 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.
Hybrid Propulsion System 2014-09-03 · campaign 14V526000 · 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2010-09-03 · campaign 10E043000 · 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (31)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2023-04-04 · SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 number (vin) from a different vehicle. most modules on these affe
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2010-09-14 · TSB-10-18-10 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 (dtcs) for coil on plug (cop) primary circuit faults. *pe
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring 2008-04-01 · 20213 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2005-08 escape/escape hybrid/mariner - 2006-08 mariner hybrid - wheel speed sensor ring replacement procedure update to workshop manual. *nj
Fuel System, Gasoline 2008-03-01 · 08-5-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
slow fuel fill and/or dtc p0451. *nj
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2008-02-01 · 08-3-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) u2062 (hybrid only). *nj
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-07 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was in a major high speed frontal crash on april 4th. i hydroplaned on 204 and i almost died and none of my airbags deployed. i have several videos from the tow yard showing that they were still intact and didn't deploy, but this firm won'tlet me upload them. this car has never been in a wreck before, and my airbags were never recalled like other…”
2025-06-02 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly“sunroof on the vehicle just shattered. no impact related cause. maybe heat. …”
2025-05-21 · Steering“i was driving on the highway, when the car steering started to pull to the left, and an alarm chime was heard from the dash, and a wrench light on the dash came on, as well as a service steering system soon message appeared on the message display. this happened multiple times. i contacted the local midland ford dealer about this issue, as they had …”
2025-01-25 · Engine“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 difficult to handle due to th…”
2024-10-14 · Steering“like so many others, i was making a sharp right turn when the vehicle stopped without warning causing cars behind me to slam on their brakes to avoid a chain rear end collision event on a busy intersection. another driver offered help and got it restarted but the power steering stopped functioning. he pulled it off the road and i then had to drive…”
2024-05-21 · Suspension · 💥 crash“the rear shock tower has rusted out and broken away from the frame which was conformed at a local body shop. the passenger side went first then the driver side went about a year later. there was no warning that this was happening until it broke while driving which made us lose control of the car. when we took it to a repair shop and said it was 200…”
2024-03-23 · Wheels“both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. i've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires are being worn out. …”
2023-12-29 · Steering“transmission stirring pump spark plugs…”
2023-09-29 · Structure:frame And Members · 170,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 ford escape. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently merged into the right lane without warning. as a result, the contact decelerated to approximately 10 mph, when the cv axle detached from the vehicle. the contact was able to navigate the vehicle off the roadway. the vehicle was t…”
2023-07-21 · Unknown Or Other“my steering started locking up and now my vehicle will stall and shut completely down while doing 65 miles an hour and now it won't run at all…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.