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CarComplaints.com Notes: With solid trends of engine failure — $4,500 to fix at 85,000 miles avg — AND transmission failure — $3,000 to fix at 75,000 miles avg — we can't recommend the 2006 Ford Escape to anyone except your worst enemy.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,368 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #55

Jan 022023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well to put it lightly my rear axial the whole rear end is a mess this did not happen from normal were there is not that many miles I am very confident that if I was mot train on how to control a car if it were to go out of control at a high speed this would be a whole different story just thank how many are still on the road this year 2006 escape is a ticking time ðŸ'£

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #54

May 232021

Escape

  • miles
On Sunday May/23/2021 my car shut off suddenly with out warning after 3m of driving, the wrench orange lite came on, i was able to pull aside on the curb, turned off the car and waited a few minutes, i was able to turn the car back on, and the car restarted with out problem but the incident was there. when i got home i start looking on line for an explanation of what went wrong and i encounter that the 2006 Ford scape hybrid has been recall for stalling problems, somehow my car is not part of the recall according with the VIN number, but my car is a 2006 Ford Scape Hybrid, i don't understand why my car its not part of the recall and i hope that it did not fall under the cracks and i hope more that my car will not get stall in the freeway and cause an accident. please let me know if any additional information is need

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #53

Oct 222020

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
ABS failure. The car brakes may at times lock-up without notice. Transmission failure: The transmission acts as if it's in neutral when in both forward gear or reverse. Transmission appears to be in good repair but this issue persist. This issue appears to occur from a beginning acceleration such as putting car in reverse and accelerating or putting car in drive and accelerating. This also happens when you may be stopped at a traffic light and attempt to proceed only to have the car act as if it's in neutral. This slipping in and out of gear issue seems to only happen from a take off speed.

- Brooklyn, MI, USA

problem #52

Dec 302019

Escape

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had a winter spell that brought about 6 inches of snow. When I left for work I got stuck at a stop sign and found myself unable to go forward or backwards. I therefore employed standard winter driving tactics slowly changing back and forth from reverse to drive in a rocking motion to get the vehicle unstuck. After freeing the vehicle I then proceeded to drive towards my work but the vehicle wouldn't stay in gear. Now the vehicle won't go into a moving gear except for every once in a while and only for a few seconds before it slips back out of gear and won't move. Can also hear a loud grinding / clacking noise coming from up front around the transmission.

- Ketchikan, AK, USA

problem #51

Nov 112018

Escape 6-cyl

  • 1 miles
Well, my vehicle has been maintained and up kept since day one, and before that my mother. The shifting solenoids are starting to go, which means the tyranny will eventually go. It searches to find gears and has never been beat on. This is quite a nuisance, constantly pulling over and starting it up again just to shift. Never has been low on fluids either. The main problem with the Escapes is the transmission and although mine is not under the recall, as all others are, I feel that I have been outdone by Ford [xxx] me over. Honestly the worst transmission issue I've seen with any model from Ford, or much less Chevy and gmcr or Toyota. My corolla lasted longer than this one, over 200000 in fact! the fact of it is, this one didn't even make it to 200000. Wtf this started out of nowhere, no warning, nothing. Turned the vehicle on one day and it just didn't want to shift. Jw I'm looking at a 4000 dollar bill to fix it while others have had this issue as well. I didn't even pay over 2500 for this thing so for it to be acting this way when it's always been treated w respect is nonsense. I want the recall to be extended to my model as well, seeing how they all are recalled. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mt. Calvary, WI, USA

problem #50

Aug 222017

Escape

  • 125,000 miles
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.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #49

Dec 262017

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Similar to earlier models 2001-2004/5. took the car in to be checked out for cross country trip and daughter was told the sub-frame supporting the engine was rusted and car was unsafe to drive.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #48

Nov 182017

Escape

  • 96,000 miles
Tsb 07-5-6 torque converter and solenoid failed at 96000 miles and had to be replaced.happened existing the freeway and stalled in traffic

- Irons, MI, USA

problem #47

Nov 212014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The transmission in my 2006 Ford Escape went out on me while I was driving. Upon on having a mechanic tear it apart, it was found that a bearing and the clutch went out in it. The same mechanic, before working on my transmission, did research and found that many other Escape owners had the same problem and that Ford has not issued a recall know wing that there is a problem. The mechanic found that there should be a shift kit that was not there. I also learned that no Ford trained technicians would work on my Escape.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #46

Sep 202015

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
I am one of many who have had their transmission go out on their 2006 Ford Escape - I was driving home with my son - stopped at red light - light turned green and vehicle would not move - had to call tow truck www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2006/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #45

Aug 092016

Escape

  • 61,127 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts, but would stall after it was placed into gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coils failed and were not getting signals from the power train control module. The PCM coil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,127.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #44

May 202016

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to a parking lot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a transmission valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Broadview, IL, USA

problem #43

Apr 112016

Escape

  • miles
While driving my vehicle it went into overdrive without me accelerating. This often occurred whether my foot was lightly pressed on the (foot) pedal or off the pedal. The vehicle lost its ability to forward drive, whereby I had to allow the car to glide of to the should of the road. When the vehicle was finally off the road I would experience difficulty shifting the gears - sticking as I tried to put it in gear. It is a manual drive 2006 Ford Escape. This [stalling] occurred after several trips to the mechanics before my vehicle was rendered completely immobile I.e. unable to reverse or forward drive. The mechanics, at the Ford dealership, diagnosed my vehicle with transmission problems, that would require a total transmission rebuild/replacement. I have not received a recall notice, but I know that my vehicle is among the model 2001 - 2009 Ford Escapes that have experienced transmission troubles/recalls in last 6 months. Since ~January 2016, the vehicle was towed by the dealers and remains there, to date, with no mention of recalls on this make/model/year vehicle. I contacted Ford Corp. Customer services toll-free # (1) to inform them of the problem, (2) to determine the recall selection process and (3) to determine if recall notices were sent to both [my] dealer &/or manufacturer, but with not avail. Both, representatives skirted around my queries, later told me to hold on the line until they could conduct a internal inquiry but, instead, redirected the call to the telephone customer care survey -- prior to my call ending.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #42

Mar 262016

Escape

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated without warning and stalled. The contact experienced the same failures listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #41

Dec 092015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
Without warning transmission completely fails. No indication of problems, just dropped the transmission on the way to work. Thank goodness there was no traffic behind us or we were in an intersection. Just completely stopped pulling while traveling down the road at 45 mph. Transmission rebuilt. Since then and still currently the charging light stays on constantly. Has been in the automotive repair shop for a month and no one can find a problem or match the codes with an apparent problem. On it's way to a second shop for another opinion. Idles high both in park and in gear, constant vibration inside the vehicle (steering wheel, dash, console etc.). dash/speedometer makes humming noise in the afternoons. Alarm has randomly gone off twice and interior lights would not go out on their own - had to turn off manually. "right rear door ajar" or "lift gate ajar" messages were displayed, but the doors were fine. Message did not reset when re-closing the doors, just reset eventually on its own. Gas mileage has dropped to 15 mpg. Radio volume will not come down. Get louder if you touch it. This problem has been going on awhile, but now with everything else possibly electrically going on, don't know if it's related. We've already spent around $2000 on it and I still don't feel safe to drive it, especially after reviewing all the complaints this model Escape has had. Without diagnosis of a problem, I fear it may escalate to other computer issues and cause far worse driving/safety problems. Undetermined electrical/interior going crazy seems to be a common complaint even when what appears to be the problem is addressed. I am disappointed to be having such problems with this Ford. My husband actually recently purchased a used Acura instead of a Ford because of it. I have no transportation of my own until these safety/reliability issues are resolved....updated 04/12/16 the consumer took the vehicle to another repair shop. She was informed the alternator needed to be replaced at a cost of $500 updated

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #40

Dec 072015

Escape

  • 127,000 miles
Driving down the freeway and my vehicle shuts off without warning. There is a loud knocking and shuttering noise like my whole engine is going to drop onto the freeway. I get to the shoulder and put it in park. As I try to start the vehicle again the engine/motor starts shaking yet again with a loud knocking noise and wont turn over. I had to get my car towed. My children were extremely scared and being on the freeway this issue is very dangerous and has been complained about multiple times.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #39

Oct 032015

Escape

  • miles
I bought the vehicle on September 4,2015 all these problem started 1 month after. Manuel transmission gets to rough at times when being shifted into 1st gear and reverse gets stuck and hard to shift, might be part of the recall no# 15S28 the engine oil seems to use 1qt a week, recently had a changed oil but continues to use the same every week, mileage is at 132467. The air bag for passenger light continues to light up and goes off when driven. A banging noise when driven on the road at rear shock absorbers are located, the shocks are still new.

- Crownpoint, NM, USA

problem #38

Jan 212015

Escape

  • 200,757 miles
The service engine light came on plus the wrench light. The vehicle told me to pull over safely. It would not go over 20 miles per hour. I had it towed to the Ford dealership and was told it was the throttle body. I did research online where other Escapes were having the same issue. The North Carolina consumers council stated this online- "we have been informed that Ford has issued an extended warranty for defective throttle body assemblies and sensors for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the data of original purchase. For vehicles past this time limit, the warranty is reported to be valid until January 31, 2015." Since I am over the mileage I am having to pay for the part.

- Lake Park, GA, USA

problem #37

Dec 042014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
My wife was on her way to work when the vehicle started to slow and stutter. When she got to work she wasn't able to shift from drive to reverse without the vehicle cutting off. While on the interstate the vehicle almost shut down but according to her slowed way down. After work she had to cruise through all the stop signs and stop lights for fear the vehicle would stop. She made it home and that was it. I couldn't get the vehicle to go from no gear to and gear without shutting itself off. We did some research and thought it might be a shift sensor. We ended up calling the Ford house (arrow Ford, abilene, tx.). they towed the vehicle and I got a call later saying it was a bad torque converter. It was going to be $2,400 for the repair. I researched the internet and found that there is no recall and this is a common problem, (a design flaw if you will). We take care of the vehicles and don't abuse our vehicles.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #36

Nov 032014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
We purchased a 2006 Ford Escape for our daughter that is in college. The vehicle only had around 92,000 miles on it when we purchased. Upon braking, the vehicle will shudder and cut off. She is able to put it in park, restart the vehicle and continue on. There is no rhyme or reason behind when this occurs. She lives in an extremely busy area and this is very dangerous for her. My husband and I have driven the vehicle and have had the same thing happen. Our mechanic is telling us that he is almost positive it is the torque converter. (of course, we have left it with him for over a week and he has driven it everywhere and it will not mess up) after hearing this, I have done some research on it. Why is Ford not doing a recall on this" this seems so be a very common issue. Is it going to take someone getting injured or worse before they take any action"

- Taylorsville, GA, USA

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