2006 Ford Escape recalls and problems

The 2006 Ford Escape has 3 safety recalls and 464 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
464
Crashes / fires
16 / 9
Injuries / deaths
26 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Ford Escape vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Ford Escape recalls

Recall 15V-606: Power Train

Reported Sep 29, 2015 · 57 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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 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 14V-526: Hybrid Propulsion System

Reported Sep 3, 2014 · 70,209 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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 October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

Recall 05V-520: Visibility

Reported Nov 9, 2005 · 199,942 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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 lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.

2006 Ford Escape problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Vehicle Speed Control100
Power Train80
Suspension65
Structure63
Engine47
Service Brakes41
Electrical System35
Engine and Engine Cooling21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20
Steering20
Visibility19
Air Bags18

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 45
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 21
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 7
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 6
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 5
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 4
  • Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 83,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Apr 7, 2026
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…
Steering · reported May 21, 2025
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…
Engine · reported Jan 25, 2025
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…
Steering · reported Oct 14, 2024
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…
Structure · reported May 21, 2024
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…

Other Ford Escape years

Compare all Ford Escape years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Ford Escape: 15V-606 (power train), 14V-526 (hybrid propulsion system), 05V-520 (visibility). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford Escape?

Owners report vehicle speed control problems most often (100 reports), followed by power train (80). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 83,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.