2006 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Ford Escape ranks 17th of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 20 and a Good verdict, though the rating is capped due to incomplete records for 2005-2009. NHTSA lists 464 complaints, 3 recalls, and 9 fire reports, with Engine issues the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 464
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 26
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 26 / 2
Top 2006 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine155 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain80 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires73 (16%)
- Brakes71 (15%)
- Structure & Body67 (14%)
- Fuel System38 (8%)
- Electrical System36 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (5%)
- Steering20 (4%)
- Airbags17 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires accompanied by smoke or a burning odor, sometimes while driving at low or moderate speed.
- Some drivers describe an explosion sound followed by visible flames from the engine before the vehicle had to be towed.
- Electrical system fires were reported with smoke coming from under the hood or from the dash and floor area.
- Several owners describe airbags failing to deploy or only partially deploying during crashes, including rollovers.
- Brake complaints include reports of brakes releasing unexpectedly after stopping, described alongside repeated shop visits.
2006 Ford Escape recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Transmission & Powertrain57 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
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.
- NHTSA 14V526000Sep 3, 2014Fuel System70,209 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
- NHTSA 05V520000Nov 9, 2005Visibility & Wipers199,942 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
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.
2006 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Escape reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2006 Escape a complaint index of 20 and a Good verdict relative to other Escape model years, ranking 17th worst out of 21 years covered. The verdict is capped to Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Escape?
- Engine complaints make up 33% of reports, the largest share, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 17% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 16%. Median mileage at failure across problem areas ranges from 73,695 to 125,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Escape covering Transmission & Powertrain, Fuel System, and Visibility & Wipers components. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 Ford Escape compare to other Escape years?
- With a complaint index of 20, the 2006 Escape has fewer reported problems than years like 2017 (index 100) or 2013 (index 90), which carry Avoid verdicts. It compares closely to 2007, which has a complaint index of 10.