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 minutes before occurring once again. Eventually the hybrid battery had no more juice and I have to be towed. Garage, not dealer dx sticking throttle linkage assembly. They cleaned it, recharged the hybrid battery and reprogrammed the computer. Vehicle worked well for 6 weeks and then problem returned. Only difference was that after initially stalling out when the engine was warm, on 2 occasions occurred when engine was cold. Returned it to garage where it stalled when cold one of those times. After that is didn't stall for them again. Garage looked on line and saw a number of possible causes for the problem, but no conclusive diagnosis or fix. They suggested that changing the throttle linkage assembly might fix the problem, but they were not confident of this. Vehicle not repaired.
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems
55 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 120,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Cooling system3
- Engine1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the federal safety agency 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.
DP12006
What 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 day ford (located at 2124, 3696 william penn hwy, monroeville, pa 15146, (412) 856-0600) and was informed that the vehicle needed diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 187,621.
Stop safely now & service soon - wrench.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the "stop for safety/high motor - cooling" warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred on more than one occasion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coolant pump was faulty. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,300.
The vehicle hesitates when accelerating after coming from a stop, it is not transmission, it is like it is not getting fuel. The vehicle suddenly without warning or reason shuts off all power while driving. The red triangle with exclamation light comes on with a warning to stop safely now on the dashboard and you are stranded. This has happened both while accelerating from a stop and while driving both freeway and surface street speeds, suddenly. I am afraid not only to not only drive the vehicle but having anyone in the car with me, especially making a left turn. It is not a safe vehicle. It has left me stranded on a dark street around 9pm, cutting off on the freeway leaving me no choice but to coast off the side of the freeway. Again it just shut down again while driving straight @ 40 MPH, while driving on the surface streets, this time it was early evening but once again left alone stranded until the tow truck comes. The dealer can find nothing wrong with the vehicle and indicated there are no recalls that would address this problem. But I can see through the complaints there is an obvious problem with this vehicle, which is an extreme safety issue that is not being addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. While driving various speeds, the throttle body malfunctioned. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently on more than one occasion. Landmark ford in tigard, oregon was made aware of the failure and stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 124,000. *tt the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired.
See attached repair invoice # 68143 dated 01/04/2018. Landmark ford tualatin, or 97281 defective high voltage battery cooling fans & defective throttle body assy paid invoice amt $2208.95.
Hybrid mec pump failure: my vehicle had the mec hybrid coolant pump failure that is common to this vehicle. My particular VIN # was not included in the large scale recall undertaken by ford. I had the pump replaced by a ford dealer in 2011, and then again in 2012 after a second failure. This cost me over $3000 in total. I do not understand why my car is not covered under the recall. It should be.
While driving, a warning light came on stating " safely pull over and stop now", the vehicle stalled out, no power at all. I pulled over and after a few minutes restart it. Everything sounded fine. I talk to a ford dealer whom seem not to know what caused it. I have an engine code p1a0c (etb), from my actron@ device. I started to have it fixed but I went online and found I'm not the only person with issue and the solutions giving by the dealer's service have been all different I'm not sure if any of them fixed the issue. Some have stated that their vehicle stalled out while on the highway. I'm not sure if it is safe to drive on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and several warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, when the brakes were applied, the brake pedal would be very stiff, and the vehicle would skid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the fan was changed in the hybrid system; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Questions about the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid engine
Does the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid have engine problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 120,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Escape Hybrid have bad engine?
The Ford Escape Hybrid model years with the most engine complaints are 2008 (111 complaints), 2020 (65 complaints) and 2006 (55 complaints).
Other 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Brakes 87Electrical 36Steering 24Fuel system 20Acceleration 19Transmission 18Body 8Suspension 7Visibility 5Wheels 5Airbags 3Driver assistance 3Lights 3Locks 1
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