2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid has a complaint index of 71 and ranks 5th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 41% of its 219 complaints, with engine problems close behind at 29%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #5 of 15 Escape Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 219
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 29 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes89 (41%)
- Engine63 (29%)
- Electrical System39 (18%)
- Steering24 (11%)
- Fuel System20 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (8%)
- Structure & Body9 (4%)
- Other8 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes intermittently 'catch' or momentarily lose stopping power before failing completely, with median failure mileage around 83,000 miles.
- Some owners report total brake failure at speed even when pressing the pedal with both feet, requiring the vehicle to be shut off and restarted before brakes work again.
- The engine and hybrid motor can shut down abruptly at highway speed with a 'stop safely now' warning and no advance sign of trouble.
- One owner reported the vehicle caught fire hours after being parked and last driven.
- The vehicle has shut off unexpectedly at lower speeds (around 30 mph) with dashboard warning lights illuminating, a problem dealers could not always duplicate.
- In a crash, one owner reported the side airbag failed to deploy, and another reported the front airbag deployed but leaked hot gas causing a burn.
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 29 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
- Compared to other Escape Hybrid model years, 2006 ranks 5th worst out of 15 years tracked, with a complaint index of 71 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 41% of the 219 complaints, followed by engine issues at 29% and electrical system issues at 18%.
- Does the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2006 Escape Hybrid, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2006 Escape Hybrid problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints for this model year is 100,000 miles, though brake complaints had a lower median of 83,000 miles.
- How does the 2006 model compare to other Escape Hybrid years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 71 is worse than 2005 (57) and 2007 (50), but better than 2008 (93) and 2009 (79), which carry Avoid verdicts.