2006 Ford Escape Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (54) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (25) · Steering (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
201 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (6)
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.
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
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2016-09-08 · TSB 16-0118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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). these codes by themselves normally do not result in any symptoms
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:abs Warning Light 2016-06-08 · SSM-45870 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2005-2008 escape/mariner hybrid - anti-lock brake system (abs) warning indicator illuminated with dtc(s) c1478, c1479, c1480 and/or c1481
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2012-03-01 · ASI-22242 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/mercury: some hybrid vehicles may require a unique bleed procedure after a replacement for one or more of hydraulic brake system components. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2009-12-01 · TSB-09-15-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 themselves normally do not result in any symptoms that are
Unknown Or Other 2009-06-01 · TSB-08-24-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
What owners report
2023-06-02 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the brushless motor electronics coolant (mec) pump needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact related the failure to nhtsa ca…”
2023-02-13 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 157,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. the contact stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine turned over for two seconds and stalled. the contact stated that an unknown service warning light was illuminated, indicating to pull the vehicle over. the contact notified an independent mechanic and he was ad…”
2021-08-06 · Hybrid Propulsion System“the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v526000 (hybrid propulsion system). the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the part was available for the repair. the co…”
2019-07-25 · Structure:body · 110,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. when the contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer in fenton, michigan for maintenance, it was diagnosed that the shock tower frame was rusted. the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. the manufacturer was made aware of the fa…”
2019-07-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100,000 mi“the hybrid electronics system overheated, the dashboard lights went on and the alert system said to "stop car slowly" and then "check emissions system". the car slowed down and lost almost all power. after turning it on again, the car had no power and could not accelerate. it was like this for several minutes (this has happened before but the car …”
2019-06-18 · Service Brakes · 80,000 mi“as i was approaching an intersection and red light, my brakes suddenly stopped working. i literally had to stand on the brake and it finally stopped moving. i continued to drive home at less than 10 mph and had to let off the gas in order to slow the vehicle down to attempt to use the brakes and car would shake when brake was applied. took to me…”
2019-06-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 140,000 mi“2006 ford escape hybrid with approx. 140,000 miles. initially, had problems with vehicle's gas engine stalling out while in motion and at various speeds from 35 to 55 mph. message in dash said to pull over safely. this happened 5 times in one day and each time the vehicle would restart and run for only a few minutes. next day it ran for about 15 mi…”
2019-06-09 · Service Brakes · 185,000 mi“abs break light came on and the car failed to stop. was driving on the road in a small town and was stopping to turn on to a road. the problem had also happen when someone has stopped suddenly in front of me and i needed to break suddenly. had break fluid changed at ford dealership and did not fix the problem. when you need to stop suddenly and hi…”
2019-05-02 · Engine · 187,621 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. while driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. in addition, the "stop safely now" warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cooling pump needed to be replaced. the contact called d…”
2019-04-26 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 113,533 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. while driving at an unknown speed, an unknown warning icon displayed on the instrument panel. when the contact powered off the engine and restarted the vehicle, the warning indicator no longer appeared. the vehicle was taken to wilson ford lincoln (328 main st, logan, ut 84321, (435) 752-7355) to be d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.