2006 Ford Escape Hybrid: engine failure

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Steering · 137,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while parked, the power steering failed. In addition, when the vehicle was being driven, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000. Vin was not provided.

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Steering · 157,872 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and making right turn, the steering wheel seized and the service power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,872.

Filed Sep 27, 2014 · Engine · 160,000 miles · CA

I have owned this car since 2006 when I bought it new. After about four years the battery pack blew and had to be replaced. It would have cost $4000 but thankfully I had purchased the extended warranty and it was covered. On sept. 20, 2014 the car threw a rod and the engine was completely destroyed. The mechanic said it would cost $5000 to fix it with a rebuilt engine but that it wasn't worth it because the engines for these cars are notoriously unreliable and it would probably just fail again. It was recommended that we scrap the car. The entire lifecycle of this vehicle was only 8 years which is absolutely preposterous. Cars should last longer.

Filed May 8, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 91,000 miles · OH

Time of day: 1800, temperature about 80f. "stop safely now" message appeared on console. Vehicle slowed down while traveling at 65mph on an interstate highway during a heavy rush hour traffic. Fortunately, I was traveling on the left lane and safely moved to the left curb and within seconds the engine died. I kept trying to start but no success. While on the phone with the insurance company for a tow truck, I tried again, and the engine restarted. I was able to continue driving home for about 25 minutes, approximately 15 miles. While approaching a traffic light, the "stop safely now" message appeared and this time the car died in the middle of the street. This time, it died within 3 seconds after the message appeared. It was a major safety hazard when other cars were approaching and with very little room to stop and react. This was in a 35 MPH residential zone. I had to call a local police department to assist managing the traffic. After about 15 minutes, I was able to start the car again and continued the last 2 blocks to my resident. This is a serious safety issue that could have resulted in multi cars accident had I not had the opportunity to drive to the curb before it stopped.

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NM

I was driving at 55mph on a county road. All of a sudden the engine started to make a banging noise and I lost most power. I was able to limp into a oil change place. They looked at the oil and it was nearly empty. I have always changed the oil on time and done all other maintenance on this car. There was no apparent oil leak and no sign of burning oil. I had checked the oil about 300 miles prior. The oil just disappeared and the engine threw a rod necessitating a new engine. Estimated repair cost 5-6k. I have read of at least 21 other people who experienced the exact same problem; the oil just disappeared and the engine throws a rod. There is obviously a defect in this engine. I was lucky that I was driving on a country road and not a freeway and had a place to pull over.

Filed Jul 25, 2012 · Engine · 61,000 miles · MA

I was driving down the highway in my 2006 ford escape hybrid going about 65 MPH and started to accelerate to pass another vehicle and my car suddenly shut down. It was as if I slammed on the brakes. And I could not pick up speed after that. There was no warning on my dashboard only the display saying to "stop safely now". I pulled over and let the car idle for a minute. There was still not other warning and the car was not making any noises and no steam coming from hood. I shut it down, waited a minute, then restarted it. It started back up fine. Nothing on the display now and still not making any noise. I pulled ahead a little to see if it would move and it did. I let it idle for another minute then proceeded back onto highway to try to get home. I got up to about 40 MPH and the same exact thing happened. I pulled back to side of highway and called aaa for a tow truck. When the tow truck came about 1 1/2 hours later, my car would not start at all at that point. Towed it to a shop who then said the car's oil was not reading on the dipstick. I had my oil changed in march by a reputable company and have always had my oil changed consistently. They told me my engine was gone and I needed a whole new one. I then had my car towed to a ford dealership, where I bought, it for a second opinion and he said the same thing that I needed to have my engine replaced due to internal engine noise. They also told me I needed the throttle body and coolant pump replaced. They also said no visible external oil leaks and no indication of internal engine use such as "blow-by". Their overall estimate to fix my car, including a new engine, is $8000.00. I never had at any point any indication that something was wrong with my car. No noises, no warning lights. I bought it brand new. I can't afford repairs of that magnitude. I called ford and they said there is nothing they can do.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Electrical · 145,500 miles · CA

I was traveling on the highway @ 65 MPH when I experienced a 'catastrophic engine failure' with four occupants. I don't know if it was skilled driving, divine intervention or just plain luck that permitted me to safely stop the vehicle without a crash or injury. Had vehicle towed by aaa to dealership. Service department said the "hybrid battery cooling system" had failed and caused the engine to stop with no warning. I was almost rear-ended by a semi truck.

Filed Aug 16, 2009 · Engine · 65,000 miles · PA

I experienced a catastrophic engine failure while highway driving @ 70 MPH. There was a loud sound from the engine, then a "stop the vehicle safely now" warning, and the engine stopped functioning.