2006 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 626 complaints
626
Total Complaints
85,000mi
Median Mileage
Vehicle Speed Control
Top Issue
25
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
52,000
25th Percentile
85,000
Median Mileage
125,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Vehicle Speed Control
92
Suspension
60
Power Train
55
Engine
47
Body
45
Service Brakes
41
Electrical System
30
Automatic Transmission
21
Steering
19
Fuel/Propulsion System
18
Severity Assessment
25
Crashes
10
Fires
37
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"ON 12/7/05, THE MAIN AIR BAG LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH ONLY 542 MILES DRIVEN ON THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A REPLACEMENT TO A 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT HAD THIS SAME CHRONI..."
"2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT AWD - VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AND CAN BE FELT IN BODY AT ABOUT 55-65 MPH. INTO DEALER 4X FOR ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. CONSULTED WITH FACTORY. NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING IT. DEALER STATED SOME OF THE MODELS ON THE LOT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE AN ENGINEERING FAULT OR AN..."
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE GRINDS DURING START UP IF IT SITS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. ON 04-18-06 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER ALONG WITH A DELAY IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLE'S WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAS THE PROBLE..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Vehicle Speed Control
92 complaints
25th: 47,272 mi
Median: 75,000 mi
75th: 109,500 mi
Suspension
60 complaints
25th: 82,375 mi
Median: 114,500 mi
75th: 133,000 mi
Power Train
55 complaints
25th: 69,000 mi
Median: 89,000 mi
75th: 117,500 mi
Engine
47 complaints
25th: 74,750 mi
Median: 93,000 mi
75th: 132,500 mi
Body
45 complaints
25th: 117,000 mi
Median: 134,000 mi
75th: 159,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
OH: 60
MI: 54
IL: 44
CA: 41
PA: 39
FL: 27
WI: 26
NY: 26
GA: 23
MO: 20
Who Files Complaints?
8%
Original Owners
92%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Hybrid Propulsion System
Campaign 14V526000 | 03/09/2014
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Floor Shift
Campaign 15V606000 | 29/09/2015
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehic
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-43
Equipment
Campaign 10E043000 | 03/09/2010
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Motor
Campaign 05V520000 | 09/11/2005
AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
Compare Ford Escape
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28