Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2006 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationAn average Escape year.
1,440 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 Escape?The 2006 Ford Escape has 1440 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag rear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure.
Safety record for the 2006 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escape years only. How we score it
Is 2006 a good year for the Escape?
Across the 27 Escape model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2000) to 4,834 (2008). With 1,440 complaints, the 2006 Escape sits above the model's median of 1,110.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2006 Escape
hybrid propulsion system
Campaign 14V526000Ford 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.
suspension:front:wheel bearing
Campaign 15E045000The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 15V606000Ford 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.
equipment
Campaign 10E043000MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Show 1 more recall
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 05V520000ON 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Escape
Owners generally view this generation as a decent, affordable used SUV with capable V6 engines and respectable reliability when maintained.
- Very frequentRear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure
- Very frequentAutomatic transmission (CD4E) failure
Slipping, or hard shifting, especially without regular fluid changes.
- RecurrentEngine stalling when coming to a stop or engaging drive/reverse (torque converter issue, TSB 07-5-6)
- RecurrentValve cover gasket leaks causing burning oil smell
- RecurrentAlternator failure around 130k miles
Owner insights for the 1st generation Escape. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escape listings typically run $9,995–$20,378.
Other Escape model years
Compare every Escape year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escape against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy