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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.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$320
Average Mileage:
86,050 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace window (12 reports)
  2. not sure (7 reports)
2006 Ford Escape windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2006 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #19

Aug 152017

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded

I was on the freeway with my 2 kids in the vehicle when the rear passenger window next to my toddler exploded covering him in glass and throwing more all over. . He had tiny shards cut him as well as my daughter and I removing some. His seat and body were covered and all I could think was if one of the larger pieces had struck his neck or any other vital parts what could have been. Even just it embedded in his skin is enough. This is not ok and should not have happened. Ever!!! We have to pay out of pocket however I believe Ford should. Thank God it didn't hit a vital part or they would be involved in a definite lawsuit. I'm happy my son wasn't severely injured yet furious when I think about what could have been especially now finding out they have had several issues with this.

- pilarczyk, Layton, US

problem #18

Mar 132017

Escape LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

click to see larger images

rear window exploded

Could be worse. Winter time and happened in my daughter's school lot.

- Brian P., Flat Rock, MI, US

problem #17

Dec 032016

Escape XLS 2.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

I got a used 2006 Escape about two weeks ago. My father and I went driving to get groceries today, only fifteen minutes away. It was snowing and he was praising how the car handled the snowy roads better than his car, but as he was talking we heard a pop. We looked around to see if something hit us and nothing was around to do so. Then we noticed the back windshield had exploded. We parked in the grocery store parking lot and got a closer look, seeing the glass all over the trunk. As we were looking at it, the man who was parked next to us asked us about the car. My father told him it just exploded, and the man looked at the model of the car and knew about the problem, coincidentally. He told us that some SUVs had a problem with the back windshield exploding because of cold weather or something. Now we need to go replace the back windshield soon.

When we got home I decided to look up this problem, and here I am.

I don't understand how this is not a recall; if so many people have had this happen to them, regardless of weather, this should absolutely be something that Ford must recall.

- Carlos D., Crete, IL, US

problem #16

Apr 122016

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

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

I have had this car for six years. I love it. I wasn't in the car when it happened. I had my grandson, who was sitting in a rear facing car seat. We got out to play at a local playground. I heard a loud sound, which was strange, there wasn't anyone around us. The playground was in an open field. When I got back to the car, glass everywhere. The rear window just exploded. What if he had been in the car?

- Sharon S., Solon, OH, US

problem #15

May 032015

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,905 miles

On Sunday May 3rd 2015 at 2:30PM my wife and I were sitting in our house when we heard a loud bang. I went out to the garage and found the rear window of my Ford Escape had exploded out in a million pieces. The garage was actually cool and there was not anything that could have struck the windshield as the garage door was closed. Had anyone been close to the car they could have been blinded or seriously hurt.

Apparently Ford is aware of the problem as several complaints have been registered and probably many, many, not registered. I called Ford customer relations to see if there was a recall or some sort of compensation (full or partial) issued for this problem but was told no. The only reason I am entering this complaint is to make people aware and help prevent someone from getting seriously injured. I must say I am very disappointed that Ford's concern for it's customer's safety leaves a lot to be desired.

- Ralph G., Plympton Wyoming, ON, Canada

problem #14

Feb 162015

Escape XL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

click to see larger images

rear window exploded rear window exploded

I WAS AT WORK WENT OUT FOR LUNCH AND THE REAR WINDOW OF MY ESCAPE EXPLODED.

- Heather W., Johnston, RI, US

problem #13

Nov 142014

Escape XLT 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

rear window exploded

Driving 20 miles an hour on a completely smooth road, out of nowhere was a long pop. Happened so fast I didn't even realize what happened until I was hit with flying glass on the back of my head, felt the coldness. Looked in the mirror to realize it was the tailgate window that had blown apart. Very scary to think that little children ride in the back seats of these vehicles. The glass went from the back all the way to the front of my vehicle The extensions broke along with the wiper blade..

Ford needs to do a recall on their vehicles before someone gets hurt.

- Roger M., Dexter, NY, US

problem #12

Jul 192014

Escape XLT 2.3L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,635 miles

click to see larger images

rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded

I was out doing errands all day (rainy weather with temperature in the mid 80's). I arrived home and parked in our open garage about 5:30 pm. About 6 pm my husband finds that the back window of my 2006 Ford Escape XLT 2.3 4 cyl has shattered all over in thousands of pieces. Fortunately, it had stopped raining long enough for me to clean up this huge mess, so I could back out of the garage and pull in backwards to prevent any water damage along with the damage caused by the explosion of the back window. Afterwards, I got on the computer to google the cost of replacing the window and found this website. I am dumbfounded as to why Ford has not taken some kind of action in regard to a recall. It is Saturday evening, so I will be calling my insurance company Monday morning to see if the window is covered. I will also be calling in a complaint to Ford.

- ljemison, Wilmer, AL, US

problem #11

Feb 082013

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

My back window exploded. I had just gotten to work and parked it and it blew up about 5 minutes later. My insurance paid for the window with a $50 copay but wouldn't cover the window wiper or the suspension rods which I thought was crap!!! This should be a recall because a window shouldn't just explode!!!

- Tammy B., Oshkosh, WI, US

problem #10

Oct 062012

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,671 miles

2006 Ford Escape XLT V6, rear window exploded while on the highway - really frightening.

My wife was very upset. At first, I thought I had been rear ended, very loud! An explosion of glass and I nearly went right off the road.

Nothing to indicate any external damage, the window exploded into thousands of small pieces, so no chance of determining any direct cause (if any). Looks exactly like the damage shown in the earlier report of a 2005 V6, with the XLT sport package (tinted rear glass). A real mess to clean-up now and I cut my finger just trying to sort out the bits and pieces, after pulling over to a gas station. The issue is that the rear struts push themselves out through the window and the liftgate lock is left hanging there, so you need to disassemble these items otherwise they'll end up on the road.

I did used the defroster, due to humidity fogging up the window, but it had been shut-off for at least 15 minutes before the window decided to blow. Some people think this could be a possible cause. This has a startling similarity to the other complaint.

- J K., Brampton, ON, canada

problem #9

Dec 252009

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,182 miles

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

It's Christmas day at my parent's house at the tail end of a blizzard. My brother was walking past my car and says he heard glass shatter. When I went out to look at it, There were 2 clear-cut holes on the bottom corners of the window-this is the point where the arms that open and extend the window out are attached. The "arms" themselves are now dangling down on the outside of the shattered window. The window has 2-3 large fractures running through it and thousands of small ones. I assume this has to do with temperature change although the rear defrost had not been on since 1:00. This occurred at 6:00 pm.

Temp 19 degrees. Wind 13 mph. in Olathe, Kansas.

- Eric G., Overland Park, KS, US

problem #8

Dec 072009

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,900 miles

I started my mothers car for her so she would not have to sit in the truck while it was cold. There was frost on the back window so I turned on the rear defrost. It defrosted as usual and she went on her way. An half an hour later my mother called me in a panic saying that her back window on her 2006 Ford Escape just completely shattered. It scared her so bad she didn't know what to do. I immediately left work to go check on her and I could see that the entire back window on the hatch was completely gone and the heater coils normally attached to the windows were dangling. There was glass on the inside and outside of the truck. Now normally my mother would be on her way to work driving 65-70 miles an hour. Thank goodness she was on her way to church and was in the process of making a turn. I hate to think of what could have happened had she been driving at that speed. I contacted Ford directly an explained to them what had happened and that from this site directly I could see that 23 other people have had the same problem. Ford explained to me that I was the only person so far to call with a complaint of the 2005 and 2006 Ford Escapes doing this. The young lady I spoke to explained that if all of us would call to Ford directly and complain about this it would go to the higher ups and a recall could be initiated. My mother now has to pay out of pocket almost $300 to have this fixed(deductible on insurance). All of this just before Christmas. This is not fair and we need to do something about it. She also explained to me that if any of us have paid out of pocket for this to hold on to your receipt because you will be refunded once a recall is initiated. So Please!! Please !!! Please !!! everyone with this problem. call to Ford directly at 800-392-3673 at put in your complaint so we can get this corrected. if anyone would like to contact me directly you can reach me at Y2Jade1@aol.com. Thank you for taking the time to read this and good luck everyone

- Julia G., Williamsburg, VA, US

problem #7

Nov 082008

Escape XLT 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

I was driving on smooth, new highway at 55mph when the rear window exploded and sent glass all the way to the dash. The rear defrost was not on. There was a sprinkle of rain and the temperature was approximately 46 degrees. It has been more than a year and I am still finding small pieces of glass in the driver and passenger area. I almost ran off the road from the explosion and glass bouncing off the windshield and into my face.

Update from Dec 22, 2010: Still no help from Ford. With all of these Escapes and the different years, temperatures etc. why don't they admit there were defects and fix them?

- bulldurhamindiana, Richmond, IN, US

problem #6

Nov 042008

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

I thought i was the only one. I got up and went to work, which is only about a 9 minute drive. I parked my car and went inside to work. ABout 10 minutes later one of my coworkers went outside for a smoke break, and we all heard this loud blast. There you have it, my back window spewed all over the parking lot. Had to have window people come out immediately to replace it as it was a rainy day. Such bullshit

- Ben M., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #5

Dec 112008

Escape Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,603 miles

I got in my car, turned on the rear window defroster & drove to my mother's. When i went back to my car , my rear window had exploded into a hundred pieces!

- Amy M., Deer Lake, NL, Canada

problem #4

Nov 272008

Escape 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

Dropped my son off at daycare. As I was walking back to the truck my back window exploded into a million pieces. Rear defroster had been on for approximately 5 minutes. I called ford and they said they couldn't do anything for me.

- Jason R., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

problem #3

Nov 232008

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34 miles

click to see larger images

rear window exploded rear window exploded rear window exploded

Car: Ford Escpae, XLT, 2006, About 55K KM, Was dricing Early AM, in the city, about 50 - 55km/h , Real cold outside.

Turned on the Window Heater/Froster. After 8-9 Min the rear window shattered. No sign of external damage. Look at the images. There is an over heated sign on the metal connector.

This Car has a history of strange electrical problem, such as Seat heaters turning on by them self, and car starter not starting or even disabling the remote. These problems were previously reported to the dealer ship so they are well aware of them and were not able to fix it.

Would be interesting why they have to say. Please let me know if you have a case that has been accepted. I will be fightin this, even if I have to Sue Ford. LEt's do it together!!! (Toronto, Canada)

Cheers

Adam

- Adam C., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #2

Feb 262008

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,500 miles

On February 26, 2008, I drove my Escape about 15 minutes and used the rear defrost about 5 minutes. I pulled into my garage and left the door open. About 10 minutes later, I heard a large crash that sounded like glass breaking. It was glass - my rear window all over my garage and the back storage.

The temperature outside was probably between 10-15 degrees and my garage is not heated. LIke others, I feel fortunate that I was not walking behind my car when the glass exploded or driving on the highway.

My insurance agent asked about chips, temperature, etc. but I guess I'll find out more when the repairman comes Thursday morning.

- Suzanne S., Pitt, PA, US

problem #1

Feb 232008

Escape XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

It's February 23rd, 2008. Pretty darn cold here in Baltimore. My wife warmed her 2006 Ford Escape XLT up for about 10 minutes at 7:30 am EST before beginning her 5 minute commute to work. As soon as she began to drive, the back windshield exploded. I see that there are several complaints relatively similar to mine. Is there any sort of recall notice or acceptance of liability on the part of Ford for this? This is the most disgusting display of poor workmanship I've ever witnessed first hand. FORD - You need to take pro-active action on this. There is an issue.

- Dan W., Baltimore, MD, US

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