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 Takota ones around that time period. The wreck so serious that none of the first responders knew how I survived or on crawled out of the car to get help. The only savageable things for parts in that entire car were two floorboards and my airbags didn't deploy at all. I have suffered many lacerations and bruising all over my body.
The worst 2006 Ford Escape problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration99
- Transmission80
- Brakes68
- Engine68
- Suspension65
- Body63
- Fuel system38
- Electrical34
- Visibility21
- Steering20
- Airbags17
- Wheels15
- Driver assistance4
- Seat belts4
- Seats4
- Tires4
- Lights3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Ford Escape
Stalling 40ABS 37Engine failure 19Check engine light 14Brake failure 13Harsh shifting 10Transmission failure 10Fire or smoke 9Loss of power 9Adaptive cruise 8Grinding brakes 8Jerking 8Airbag light 7Wipers 7No deployment 6Knocking 6Slipping 5Sudden acceleration 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2006 Ford Escape mention
P0353 2
Recalls 3
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 15V606000 · Recall details
Hybrid propulsion system
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 14V526000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 05V520000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2006 Ford Escape
Defect 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Ford Escape 30
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic...
- Ford/mercury: MIL on with DTC P0351-P0356; multiple coil primary circuit. built on or before 10/03/05....
- 2005-08 escape/escape hybrid/mariner - 2006-08 mariner hybrid - wheel speed sensor ring replacement...
- Slow fuel fill and/or DTC P0451. nj
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U2062 (hybrid only). nj
- 2005-2008 escape hybrid and 2006-2008 mariner hybrid vehicles are not E-85 compatible. nj
- Cold climate slow fuel fill. nj
- Service harness installation - corrosion of a resistor in the battery power unit. also have an owner's...
- Engine stalling on engagement/stopping. kb
- Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. kb
2006 Ford Escape fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 30 | 28 | 29 |
| 2.3L 4‑cyl Hybrid | 4WD | 28 | 26 | 27 |
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 23-27 | 21-23 |
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18-19 | 22-24 | 20-21 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 21 | 19 |
What 2006 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Sunroof on the vehicle just shattered. No impact related cause. Maybe heat.
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 replaced the Electronic Rack & Pinion Assembly previously. The same dealer diagnosed the problem as a corroded electrical connection in the harness connector, to the Electronic Rack & Pinion Assembly. I was hoping that they would have covered this issue under a warranty, seeing as they replaced the Rack & Pinion, and that did not fix the original problem. I was charged $624.00 to have the problem diagnosed and the Electronic Rack & Pinion electrical harness connector replaced. The problem has not reoccurred since this repair was done. I am wondering if other 2006 or after Ford Escape vehicles have experienced this same dangerous condition?.
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 the loss of power steering, and is subject to shutting off due to the lack of an alternator and water pump. This particular issue has happened to me on four separate occasions in the last two years; the first time occurred while operating in traffic; the subsequent occasions were noted during startup and were detected before driving. New replacement pulleys will only last approximately 4000-5000 miles before they fail. The power steering pump and air conditioning compressor have been replaced due to concerns that they could be placing extra strain on the serpentine belt, however the issue has occurred even after replacing these components. Internet research notes that this is a common problem of the 2.3L engine in the Escape and other Ford/Mercury models of the same time frame. Nobody has reported a permanent solution; later model vehicles using the same or similar issue came equipped with electric power steering, which likely reduced the load on the pulley and its undersized mounting bolt. The idler pulley on this vehicle has proven to be an Achilles heel and should have been addressed by Ford via a recall and redesigned pulley.
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 it home. The light came on after saying "power steering service" and a wrench light. There were no codes to be read and I have been unable to get a straight answer from mechanics. The last said I need the power steering module and the rack and pinion. I finally got him to give me the specific part numbers, both of which are DISCONTINUED. Last week, I told another mechanic the problems and parts I needed and he gave me a total guestimate under $2000, so I decided to go with them and they ordered the parts. When I looked at the estimate, they did not match the part numbers I had been given, and I just found out they didnt include the module because it's discontinued. I cancelled the work. I have no options left that I can afford. THIS PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE IN THESE FORD ESCAPE MODELS AND YEARS, yet they haven't recalled any before 2008. This needs to be addressed because Ive also had the intermittent engine shutdown on the road saying "STOP NOW". Luckily, no accidents or injuries yet, but I wouldn't trust this to travel beyond my area. Shame on Ford!
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 2006 escape they responded what side did the shock tower break on this was before we told them it was a shock tower they said it's always that part on a escape I personally know 2 other people who have had the same problem all different years of escapes.
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. There is only 110759 miles on it and bought this for my wife/ kids cause I've had 3 other escapes in the past so since I work on the road this is prefect sized for then not to big or too small. I've had so many issues this last year with repairs parts and now worried about safety issues.
Transmission Stirring pump Spark plugs
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 towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side subframe had rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
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
Compare the 2006 Ford Escape
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2006 Ford Escape
Is the 2006 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners have filed 464 complaints about the 2006 Ford Escape, fewer than a typical Escape model year.
What is the 2006 Ford Escape year score?
The 2006 Ford Escape scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Escape: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford Escape?
Acceleration and speed control, with 99 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is transmission (80).
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Escape have?
3 recalls, covering power train, hybrid propulsion system and visibility.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Escape get?
Official estimates for the 2006 Ford Escape range from 19 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 30 city and 28 highway.
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