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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.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,110
Average Mileage:
84,650 miles
Total Complaints:
86 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. have to replace transmission (45 reports)
  2. replace transmission (28 reports)
  3. rebuilt transmission (5 reports)
  4. not sure (4 reports)
  5. shove it up Ford's @$$ (2 reports)
  6. fix the 2/4 band (1 reports)
2006 Ford Escape transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #66

Nov 202014

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

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

Ford cars suck, if I would have known I was going to be replacing the transmission, I would have never got the darn thing. Ford just needs to suck it up and put on their big boy undies and do a recall or a transmission failure may result in a very bad accident, then maybe when they're sued for not doing a recall on ford escapes' transmission it may be too late.

My next car will not be a ford. And I will make sure all friends and family members know ford escapes suck.

- Tiffany B., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #65

Aug 042014

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

This the 3rd time my transmission has gone out. I bought the vehicle new for myself, then gave it to my daughter who is in college. I'm furious that this has not been recalled by Ford. It's obviously a major issue. My mechanic says he has had to fix many, many Escapes with transmission issues. We have bought strictly Ford vehicles for 25 years but we are now rethinking our loyalty.

- Angie A., Palm City, FL, US

problem #64

Sep 252014

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,524 miles

I am very disappointed in my Escape not even having 80,000 miles on it and having such a problem. I love my Escape but hating it right now. with my husband fighting cancer and having to make a lot of trips daily to the doctor. I DID NOT need this. But really it isn't worth me typing this and taking the time. It isn't like I am going to get a car over it. I basically am just wasting my time...

- Susan N., Shippensburg, PA, US

problem #63

May 052014

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,635 miles

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

Transmission failed to shift into 3rd gear.

Would rev and fall into neutral. After allowing the car to slow, was able to keep it in 2nd gear and limp to the dealer.

Dealer took 2 days to come up with no definitive diagnosis. Estimated repair cost was nearly $5000 and two days to put in a new transmission. Of course, they were all too happy to show me new vehicles that they could get me for an excellent price. Right.

Left the dealer and limped the car to a 3rd party transmission shop. Several internal components had failed, including two gear sets, the pump and torque converter. Repair shop suggested that the repeated 'test drives' that the dealer performed were unnecessary and likely caused the pump failure.

After almost 1 week in the shop (due to a lack of parts supply), getting a re-manufactured replacement, for all components. Parts appear difficult to source, because of a lack of availability, caused a significant delay in the repair work.

Exorbitant cost, frustrated with a second transmission repair, at just over 150k kilometers.

Without a working transmission, residual value of the vehicle drops to zero. Fixing, then flipping this vehicle, with the warranted repair work.

- J K., Brampton, ON, canada

problem #62

May 222014

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

It kept just stopping after the transmission got warm after 20 minutes but it ran beautiful the day before . Annoyed

- Paula S., Warren, OH, US

problem #61

Apr 262014

Escape 4 Cl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

It's Saturday Afternoon in April 2014 and I'm on my way to get my dogs nails trimmed at the groomers, which is less than 7 miles from my house. After 6 miles (almost there...), my Escape made a horrible noise and did not accelerate. I decided to pull over into a church and check things out. Turned the car off and gave it a few minutes before starting again. Put the automatic in drive and it started to go again. Thinking it was nothing, I pulled out of the church onto the road only to find that my Escape would not accelerate again. I coasted to the next street and decided to turn on the next street to again check what was going on. With no acceleration, it could have been catastrophic, but I made it safely. I turned the Escape off once again and decided this wasn't good, so I called my family to share that I'm having car troubles. With no answer, I decided to try it one last time. Again, it went into drive until I tried to turn around and then again stuck in the middle of a residential road. Good thing one of the residents in the neighborhood helped push me to the side of the road. At the end of the day, I had to have the Escape towed to a transmission shop. After it was looked at, they said the damage was critical, requiring the need for a rebuilt transmission. Cost: $2,750. Keep in mind I only have 74K miles on the car being the original owner. I've always maintenance my car over the 8 years I've owned it. Now, it's been 3 months since the transmission was fully rebuilt (1 year warranty) and now have engine failure (yes...you heard correct!). Oil was changed right after the transmission was rebuilt and it hadn't hit the mileage for an oil change just yet. Just over two weeks ago, as my son was driving it, the car began making noises. After he pulled over, it was determined to be low on oil (4 quarts low) and the oil light never came on or as my dad says "the dummy light". Anonymous oil company was the last to touch my car and they had it towed to a mechanic who said "Inspection conclusion is the engine consumed the oil over the life of the oil change (less than 3000 miles). Internal engine damage has occurred." They also say pictures show that the bottom of the vehicle is dry and a larger leak is coming from the differential area. I'm no mechanic, but I've never been told I was low on oil and I always go to the same place to get my oil changed. How is it possible that the Escape would consume this oil when it's never done it in the past. I could understand if it was a little lower than normal, but no oil/1quart....there's something wrong with this". Furthermore, we consulted with the transmission guy who would have alerted us to a leakage in the differential while completely rebuilding my transmission. So, mechanic who gave this assessment on behalf of anonymous oil change company, we too will get our own assessment. The oil plug was found to be hand tight when we looked at it at home. The anonymous oil company did not seal the plug. And no oil is sitting in my driveway, so what happened to it.

- Stephanie P., Shoreline, WA, US

problem #60

Jan 042014

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

Very disappointing that this could happen on a FORD with no warranty on a major part of the vehicle. Caused lots of frustration for a single mom and two children to have no vehicle for a couple of months (finance).

- Lauren M., Tampa, FL, US

problem #59

Jun 102014

Escape 4 Banger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

2006 Ford Escape, grandfather's old car before he passed away. This car has a replacement tranny already through Ford. Now it needs it again! This car has had the up most care. Always maintained and never abused. Ford just talked to me like I'm an idiot and told me it's an older car now, expect issues. Really!?

I have a 1995 Saturn with close to 300k miles on the original engine and tranny and never have any issues. SO F U FORD! I WILL NEVER OWN ONE OF YOUR PIECES OF SH*T AGAIN, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT YOUR SH*T VEHICLES AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS!

- Thomas W., Rochester, NY, US

problem #58

Oct 012011

Escape EXP V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Except for the trans it is the best car I ever owned. I had to drive to DC from Chicago to pick up my daughter for Christmas when the planes were grounded because of the blizzard. Halfway into Penn all the way to DC and back we were running deep snow. The highways in DC and MD were closed or closing. My cold blooded Chevy Suburban 4WD could not have done any better and it used 1/3 of the gas.

When I got the trans 11 mos. later the owner of the shop said he couldn't keep them on the shelf. If they're that bad shouldn't Ford owe me some money? PS. When we got it the salesman said we wouldn't need more than a 75000 mile extended warranty.

- honeymobile, Chicago, IL, US

problem #57

Apr 232014

Escape Limited 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

On the way home from just having had a medical procedure, without warning, my car crapped out. I had to walk home. Not loving it right now. I had just had my car serviced, all fluids were changed, among other things, everything was great. Took the car to a trusted mechanic and was informed that this car is known for this very problem. Disappointed. Was given a quote of $3100 for a transmission just past 100,000 miles. Ridiculous that this many people are reporting problems and it's not being addressed by a supposedly reputable company. So much for the research and reviews which led me to trust this company with my hard earned money.

- Peggy K., Bothell, WA, US

problem #56

Mar 292013

Escape Limited 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Had the whole stalling issue upon stopping that was the torque converter issue. As it turns out I need a whole new transmission. How to rebuild done for $3600 and now is Clunking when put in Reverse and sometimes in drive. About a year since the rebuild....so frustrating.

- Cindy M., Bordentown, NJ, US

problem #55

Apr 302014

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Have a 2006 Ford Escape with less than 70,000 and I already need a new transmission. This is absolutely not acceptable. I was at a light and the car just died. Had to have it towed home. Ford needs to fix these problems. We should not have to put out of our pocket all this money. I have no car, and no money to fix this. I will never purchase a ford again. Calling them up to complain. Probably won't get me anywhere but I don't care. Ford needs to take responsibility for this problem NOW....

- Lori M., Philadelphia, PA - Pennsylvania, US

problem #54

Mar 192014

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,963 miles

I had to replace my transmission on my 2006 Ford Escape. NOT HAPPY. I see from this website and also from talking with the transmission mechanic that Escapes "are notorious" for their transmission problems. $3000 later and only two more payments before I own it outright. I do love my Ford Escape. American made. That was one reason I went with Ford. If there is NO RECALL I will not be buying or recommending Ford, as I have in the past.

FORD WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING to help your consumers who believed in you. Also think about the power of the internet. Do Not buy Ford if they can't stand behind their product which clearly has manufacturing issues.

- dkenney, Hingham, MA, US

problem #53

Apr 212014

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

$3500.00 to fix my transmission. Really? I am just a few payments away from paying it off and of course the warranty has expired. This is not OK. How does this happen. I can't afford this type of repair. Please Ford, do a recall on this. I have always owned a Ford and I love my escape but if this is how things happen I will not own another. Stand behind your vehicles and help the people who have been your loyal customers. Saying prayers this will problem will be answered.

- Terryl M., Portland, OR, US

problem #52

Mar 102014

Escape V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Please call ford about escapes transmission please we need the recall

- balthropga, augusta, GA, US

problem #51

Aug 152012

Escape XLT V6 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Lost 2nd & 4th gear. Ford wanted $4,000 for a remanufactured trans.

Went to a private transmission shop and had it rebuilt for just over

half that amount.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 58,000 MILES???? Give me a break.

(Well, it did break, but that's not what I meant)

No help from Ford, either.

- Doug W., Sierra Madre, CA, US

problem #50

Feb 012011

Escape XLT 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Always trusted Ford Engines and Drive Train for years but they lied to me.

The 2006 Ford Escape transmission was from a Mazda.

35,000 mile warranty only.

It cost me $2500 and days off work.

Then it happens again !

The fluid is black and not from any abuse.

This fraud was reported to the attorney general but no action

since there is only a 35,000 mile warranty. Do Not trust Ford!!!

No help from Ford's complaint system. They already knew it was fraud.

- fpenny, Athens, AL, US

problem #49

Jan 112014

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,030 miles

I bought this car because it was in good shape and I needed a second vehicle due to issues with my Oldsmobile, I didn't want to be without a backup vehicle. My father is in his 90s and I need to be able to get him to his appts and to the store comfortably. The transmission locked up on me and now I find out the a used transmission will cost me $1,650 and a new one will be $2,535 where on earth am I supposed to get that kind of money? If Ford thinks I am rich they are nuts. Send my some money and I will get it fixed. I think I will have to sell it before it goes out again. I can't afford this crap.

- jelizbrig62, Berwick, PA, US

problem #48

Apr 092012

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,400 miles

Add me to the list of Ford Escape oweners that had to replace their trans with low miles. 60,400 miles and only 6 years old. Well taken care of as far as maintenance goes. Just had entire car checked in February. Sorry Ford, I'm telling anyone who will listen to purchase elsewhere. The Web is a powerful thing!

- Julie H., Chicago, IL, US

problem #47

Oct 132012

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

only 38,000 miles on a 2006 ford escape and the transmission just "went" - stopped at a stop light, couldn't go forward or accelerate. Undriveable. Ford says it's out of warranty - too bad. It will cost $4,000 to replace the transmission.

- megreene, Ann Arbor, MI, US

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