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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,104 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.
When you first start driving the vehicle the steering is very tight when turning like it's in 4WD but after you drive it some it loosens up and drives fine. Only when it first starts. There is issues with the steering being tight
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph when they attempted to brake the vehicle due to needing to come to an abrupt stop, however, the vehicle failed to immediately brake. Instead, the vehicle veered to the left towards the concrete barrier in the middle of the freeway. The contact then attempted to counter steer the vehicle. Fortunately, the vehicle stopped just before hitting another vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe had rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the recall that related to their failure was NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage 139,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contacted stated while driving at 35 mph there was an abnormal noise when the steering wheel was turned. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
- Kirksville, MO, USA
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On my 2006 Ford Escape I almost died on highway because the subframe on passenger side of the Ford broke. Upon looking up information I noticed that their was a recall for Ford Escapes 00 _04 but that Escape is the same frame and structure. I never owned a car that the frame was suppose to brake like that. I hope nobody ever gets hurt but this.problem should be addresses because that car is very popular.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the powering steering made an abnormal noise without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
On July 24, 2015 my wife and 2 kids, 6 and 2 years old were almost killed when the powered steering system failed, the car was impossible to control and hit the curve going over the sidewalk. My 6 year old got a bruise on his head from hitting the window and a walking pedestrian almost got killed. If my wife was going a little faster, we would be dealing with a murder by negligence case. The power steering in this model is electrical, not hydraulic; I have attached pictures of these parts. Ive never seen this system before; as an electrical engineer I know this system is unreliable for any of the critical safety systems in a vehicle, such as steering or brakes. The motor could short or the brushes may wear, motor drives may burn, and even a low battery could turn these steering assistance into a load, making maneuvers even more difficult. Also a computer code could create problems that can cause fatalities making sharp turns at high velocities. A hydraulic system may go low on fluid and make sounds; it may get a little harder to turn but never will get totally stuck. This system is not safe for something as critical as the steering train!
Right rear wheel housing completely gone. First indication of any issue was when shock no longer properly supports. Rust and total de-lamination of metal housing supporting shock. Fear of shock punching through - into cargo hold in the area of the jack storage.
After traveling for approximately 1 mile at 35 mph, the engine suddenly shut off. Upon safely stopping the vehicle in a parking lot. The engine re-started with no issues. Drove the vehicle for approximately another mile at 35 mph when it shut off again. Re-started with no issues. Have not driven the vehicle since then. No fault codes were generated & no apparent problems have been detected.
On 12/23/14, vehicle cut out after backing out of parking to enter moving traffic on highway. The second time it cut out,12/24/14, the vehicle was being driven down the roadway. That time, the vehicle sputtered, sounded like a winded horse, running on three legs. My car was always well maintained, including oil changes every 3,000 miles, transmission flushes every year, fuel injection cleaning every other year. With the double timing chain, I was assured at purchase, that they rarely break. I could not understand what had caused this. Then, I am told it is a PCM failure caused by spark plugs, coils, that were not compatible with the PCM, or where the resistor was ineffective to combat the feedback from the coils/ spark plugs, and therefore caused the computer to shut down three cylinders of my engine. Apparently there were tsb bulletins to dealerships on this issue, but no recalls, because Ford determined that the PCM failure would probably occur post-warranty. However, car owners should have been notified, there should have been a recall. I was in the last few months of paying for this vehicle, and am faced with a $2500 bill, that I do not deserve, because it is in no way linked to my own negligence of vehicle maintenance! to me, it is a form of built-in obsolescence, that might be ok with small-cost items like watches, but should never be allowed with high-cost items, such as cars!
This has happened 3 times now, 2 in southern California on the freeway at night. Hybrid vehicle has recall problems which makes vehicle stop running. Had it fixed, paid out of my own pocket in southern California and thought problem was fixed. Something to do with battery. Then on Friday, Dec. 12, it happened again as I was driving home from college, the vehicle stopped suddenly. I couldn't pull over, it won't restart even after many attempts. I waited 5 to 25 minutes, vehicle would not start. Finally had to call a tow truck to closest Ford dealer. I thought dealer could fix problem after having it all day but when I left and headed on highway, my hybrid vehicle stalled again on the highway. I have ptsd from this car, I never want to get in it. I don't trust it and after 3 different Ford dealers, all of my own money to pay, car still doesn't work properly. I paid a premium to purchase this vehicle and it is worthless. Now I am receiving more recall notices about the airbags. I am afraid to drive my vehicle because if it stalls again I might be in a horrific accident as it stops suddenly with no warning whatsoever.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph during inclement weather, the steering wheel seized and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test and the mechanic stated that the electric power assist was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel made a noise while driving and turning at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for inspection who located the failure at the steering wheel universal shaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made ware of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
My power steering fails at low speed. I have had it into the dealer and they acknowledge the power steering piston pump needs repair at a cost of approx $900.
Since I have had this Ford Escape 2006 I have it has been in the shop for brakes tire pressure light steering pumps broken and the most in two months I had two accidents because brakes will stop and then release. I keep up on the maintenance which requires brakes check my complaints and after the first they accident in March we asked Ford to check brakes the said it was fine less than a month later another accident same thing brakes stop and release we took it back in and the master cylinder had been broken I have children I drive children and this could definitely have hurt us or someone else my car is nothing but trouble and dangerous actually the body shop said it was broken before. The dealers conveniently say I did not complain but all service checks my brake drums are check I complain of parking brake and excessive noise.
Significant vibration felt at steering wheel when driving at highway speeds. Enough vibration felt to cause fatigue to the operator's forearms/hands - most unpleasant when driving 100+ miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- St. Louis, MO, USA