2006 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
627 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Ford Escape, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 19/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Speed control leads the reports, typically around 70,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2006 Ford Escape has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2006 sits among all Escape years
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was sticking while being depressed. The contact had to continually depress the pedal to release the accelerator pedal. The failure occurred mostly during cold temperatures. There were no warning lights illuminated.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
“After driving my 2006 ford escape on the freeway reaching speed over 60 miles per hour it will stall. Starts up and when placed in gear to drive it stalls and shuts off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
“The vehicle shuts off while driving and idle.after warmed up.the red security light flashes on the dash. It has shut off while driving and almost caused an accident.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
“Right rear shock mount broke loose and started to enter the passenger compartment.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
“Brake peddle went soft and failed to stop vehicle in reasonable distance for speed, less than 10 miles/hour. This was on a city street starting left turn at about 10 mph.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
“Significant rust through in right rear wheel well where shock absorber attaches to frame. While driving, shock came detached from frame of car.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Escape
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 514 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 86,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 55,000 and 126,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2006 Ford Escape drew 627 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 19/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2006 Ford Escape problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Ford Escape are speed control (100 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (80), and engine (68).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Ford Escape problems around 86,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 55,000 and 126,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Ford Escape have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.