FORD ESCAPE HEV · model year

2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV

48 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006FORDESCAPE HEV carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 ESCAPE HEV is service brakes, hydraulic with 8 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and service brakes (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2006 ESCAPE HEV, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

48
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

48 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
SERVICE BRAKES7
STEERING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
ENGINE2
SUSPENSION2
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING1

Recalls (1)

06V38200005/10/2006

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

ON CERTAIN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID VEHICLES, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND MAY FRACTURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Recent Complaints

20190529STEERING

MY SON AND I WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I GOT A WARNING CHIME AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE MESSAGE "SERVICE PWR STEERING" ON THE DASH. LUCKILY (I THOUGHT) I WAS NEAR A AUTO PARTS PLACE SO I SLOWLY DROVE THERE. I PULLED IN, TOOK OUT THE MANUAL AND REALIZED THAT THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR TO CHECK OR FILL (AS WOULD HAVE BEEN MY QUICK SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM). DRIVING WAS SLOW AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DUE TO INABILITY TO TURN (AT SPEED). THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY PURCHASED FOR MY MOM, WHO WAS 75 AT THE TIME. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR HER WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS.DRIVING WITH MANUAL STEERING IS DIFFICULT AND MUSCLE BUILDING. I HAD TO DRIVE 25 BACK HOME ON CURVY, MOUNTAIN BACK ROADS. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. I READ THROUGH MANY COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND REALIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I

Mileage: 235,649

20160828SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AS WELL AS ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH. VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO STOP VEHICLE.

Mileage: 224,500

20150518ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

***DOOR AJAR/CAR ALARM/DOME LIGHT/ ISSUES*** 5/18/15 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4WD 3.0L 6 CYLINDER HAS INTERMITTENT FALSE DOOR AJAR/CAR ALARM/DOME LIGHT ISSUES ALL THREE SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY FAULTY DOOR LATCH SENSORS. THE SUSPECT PART HAS A TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT. THAT IS TO SAY WHEN YOU PARK YOUR CAR, AND GO INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, THE CAR ALARM WILL START GOING OFF IN NEIGHBORHOOD WAKING UP NEIGHBORS AND IS A HUGE ANNOYANCE TO QUIET NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE ALARM WILL FALSELY ACTIVATE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE VARIES. SOMETIMES WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES WARMS UP TO ABOUT 75-80 DEGREES OUTSIDE THE CAR ALARM SOUNDS TO INDICATE A FALSELY TRIPPED ALARM. IT SOMETIMES WILL OCCUR IN WINTER WEATHER CLIMATES ALSO. TEMPERATURE CHANGES PROVOKE THE FAULTY SYMPTOMS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORD ESCAPE AND MANY OF THEIR MODEL VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE CHEAP FLIMSY METAL ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITHIN THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM THAT OXIDIZE AND LOSE SPRING TENSION OVER TIME CAUSING T

Mileage: 55,200

20150308ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE 495 BELTWAY (APPROX 55MPH) IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND THE FAIL SAFE MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE A NEARBY EXIT OFF THE BELTWAY WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE BEHIND ME AND CAUSING A MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION. A RED TRIANGLE ICON APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING OTHER LIGHTS AND MESSAGES SINCE THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I DID HAVE THE CAR HEATER ON DUE TO WINTER TEMPERATURES. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTED IT AND DID NOT PUT MY HEAT BACK ON SUSPECTING THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR COOLANT PUMP AS THE PROBLEM AFTER RECENTLY READING A NYT ARTICLE. THE CAR STARTED ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I MADE AN APPT W MY FORD DEALER TO INSPECT THE CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM.I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY VIN DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS. I HAD THE A/C ON THAT DAY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE RECALL FOR THROTTLES ONLY APPLIES TO FORD NON-HYBRID CARS. THERE HAS ONLY BEEN A SERVICE B

Mileage: 111,000

20150308ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE 495 BELTWAY (APPROX 55MPH) IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND THE FAIL SAFE MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE A NEARBY EXIT OFF THE BELTWAY WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE BEHIND ME AND CAUSING A MULTIPLE CAR COLLISION. A RED TRIANGLE ICON APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING OTHER LIGHTS AND MESSAGES SINCE THE CAR HAD NO POWER. I DID HAVE THE CAR HEATER ON DUE TO WINTER TEMPERATURES. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTED IT AND DID NOT PUT MY HEAT BACK ON SUSPECTING THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR COOLANT PUMP AS THE PROBLEM AFTER RECENTLY READING A NYT ARTICLE. THE CAR STARTED ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I MADE AN APPT W MY FORD DEALER TO INSPECT THE CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM.I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY VIN DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS. I HAD THE A/C ON THAT DAY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE RECALL FOR THROTTLES ONLY APPLIES TO FORD NON-HYBRID CARS. THERE HAS ONLY BEEN A SERVICE B

Mileage: 111,000

20150208SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE AND I STARTED TO HEAR A BANGING NOISE COME FROM MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. TO LATER FIND OUT THAT IT IS MY STRUT TOWER IS RUSTED OUT. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE MATTER, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR VEHICLE'S AND FIX THEM OR FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JS

Mileage: 135,000

20150123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OUR FORD ESCAPE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY. WE BROUGHT IT TO CYPRESS COAST FORD LINCOLN IN SEASIDE CALIFORNIA. I HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT THE RECALL, BUT UPON RESEARCHING THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE, I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AND INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT CYPRESS FORD. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT RELEVANT AND THAT THE CAR NEEDED $1700 IN VERY SIMILAR REPAIRS. I PAID WITH A CREDIT CARD AND THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME; THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, LATE AT NIGHT, ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED (AT MY EXPENSE) TO MY HOME AND THEN WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY RAN THE VIN AND SAID THE RECALL WAS PRESENT AND SHOULD BE FIXED. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE TO GET A FULL REFUND AND PAYMENT FOR NEGLIGENCE FROM THE FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER/SERVICE CENTER THAT 1) DID NOT PROPERLY REPAIR MY CAR 2) IGNORED THE RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC PART OF THE CAR THAT I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT

Mileage: 125,000

20140227SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WIFE AND I WERE ENROUTE HOME FROM VERO BEACH, FL TRAVELING WEST ON FL HIWAY 60 ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE FL TURNPIKE AROUND 8:30 AM. TRAVELED OVER SHORT STRETCH OF REPAVED ROAD. AT THAT TIME HEARD BEEP, NOTICED RED BRAKE LIGHT AND AMBER ABS LIGHT ON. CRUISE CONTROL ON MOVING 60 MPH. TRIED BRAKES, NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE TRAVEL, BUT STILL HAD SOME BRAKES. CONTINUED ON UNTIL TURNPIKE JUNCTION. PULLED OFF ROAD, STOPPED, SHUT OFF IGNITION. UPON RESTARTING (AFTER 5 SECONDS), WARNING LIGHTS STAYED OFF, HAD GOOD BRAKES. PROCEEDED 130 MILES TO HOME W/O INCIDENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES BEFORE AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. ON JULY 5TH. I AM DETAILING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE THE MOST INFORMATION ABOUT IT. WHEN IT OCCURRED ALL 4 TIMES, IT WAS EITHER AFTER CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, HITTING A POT HOLE OR IN THIS CASE AFTER A CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE. AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN CROSSING ROUGH SURFACES. THE DEALER (NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FL) CANNOT SEEM TO

Mileage: 69,292

20140227UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WIFE AND I WERE ENROUTE HOME FROM VERO BEACH, FL TRAVELING WEST ON FL HIWAY 60 ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE FL TURNPIKE AROUND 8:30 AM. TRAVELED OVER SHORT STRETCH OF REPAVED ROAD. AT THAT TIME HEARD BEEP, NOTICED RED BRAKE LIGHT AND AMBER ABS LIGHT ON. CRUISE CONTROL ON MOVING 60 MPH. TRIED BRAKES, NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE TRAVEL, BUT STILL HAD SOME BRAKES. CONTINUED ON UNTIL TURNPIKE JUNCTION. PULLED OFF ROAD, STOPPED, SHUT OFF IGNITION. UPON RESTARTING (AFTER 5 SECONDS), WARNING LIGHTS STAYED OFF, HAD GOOD BRAKES. PROCEEDED 130 MILES TO HOME W/O INCIDENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES BEFORE AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. ON JULY 5TH. I AM DETAILING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE THE MOST INFORMATION ABOUT IT. WHEN IT OCCURRED ALL 4 TIMES, IT WAS EITHER AFTER CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, HITTING A POT HOLE OR IN THIS CASE AFTER A CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE. AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN CROSSING ROUGH SURFACES. THE DEALER (NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FL) CANNOT SEEM TO

Mileage: 69,292

20130925SERVICE BRAKES

WIFE AND I WERE ENROUTE HOME FROM VERO BEACH, FL TRAVELING WEST ON FL HIWAY 60 ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE FL TURNPIKE AROUND 8:30 AM. TRAVELED OVER SHORT STRETCH OF REPAVED ROAD. AT THAT TIME HEARD BEEP, NOTICED RED BRAKE LIGHT AND AMBER ABS LIGHT ON. CRUISE CONTROL ON MOVING 60 MPH. TRIED BRAKES, NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE TRAVEL, BUT STILL HAD SOME BRAKES. CONTINUED ON UNTIL TURNPIKE JUNCTION. PULLED OFF ROAD, STOPPED, SHUT OFF IGNITION. UPON RESTARTING (AFTER 5 SECONDS), WARNING LIGHTS STAYED OFF, HAD GOOD BRAKES. PROCEEDED 130 MILES TO HOME W/O INCIDENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES BEFORE AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. ON JULY 5TH. I AM DETAILING THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE THE MOST INFORMATION ABOUT IT. WHEN IT OCCURRED ALL 4 TIMES, IT WAS EITHER AFTER CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, HITTING A POT HOLE OR IN THIS CASE AFTER A CHANGE IN ROAD SURFACE. AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN CROSSING ROUGH SURFACES. THE DEALER (NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FL) CANNOT SEEM TO

Mileage: 63,334

20130628SUSPENSION

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON INCIDENT. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THERE IS A BACK-ORDER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH NO EXPECTED DATE OF DELIVERY. THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL HOUSING ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS RUSTING OUT AND CAUSING ISSUES. THE ONLY TIME YOU START TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE IS IF YOU START THE HEAR A "CLUNK" COMING FROM THE CAR, HOWEVER; THERE IS A RUBBERIZED UNDERCOAT THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE OR A KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC WITH THE ISSUE LOOKS SPECIFICALLY AT THE WHEEL HOUSING. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20130628STRUCTURE:BODY

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON INCIDENT. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THERE IS A BACK-ORDER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH NO EXPECTED DATE OF DELIVERY. THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL HOUSING ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS RUSTING OUT AND CAUSING ISSUES. THE ONLY TIME YOU START TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE IS IF YOU START THE HEAR A "CLUNK" COMING FROM THE CAR, HOWEVER; THERE IS A RUBBERIZED UNDERCOAT THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE OR A KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC WITH THE ISSUE LOOKS SPECIFICALLY AT THE WHEEL HOUSING. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20130531SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY THIS AFTERNOON MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED TO A STOP WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR US HIGHWAY. THE CAR FLASHED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE ON MY DASH AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE END OF THE EXIT AS I GET OFF ON A LEFT HANDED EXIT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM READING SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE I HAVE LEARNED I AM NOT THE FIRST. FORD SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR FIXING/DIAGNOSING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

20130531VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY THIS AFTERNOON MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED TO A STOP WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR US HIGHWAY. THE CAR FLASHED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE ON MY DASH AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE END OF THE EXIT AS I GET OFF ON A LEFT HANDED EXIT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM READING SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE I HAVE LEARNED I AM NOT THE FIRST. FORD SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR FIXING/DIAGNOSING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

20130214SERVICE BRAKES

1/25/13 PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY TAKING DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ~ AS I APPROACHED STOP SIGN I HAD NO BRAKES. PEDAL TO FLOOR ... THANKFULLY NO CARS WERE COMING ~ YANKED WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND PULLED UP EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. DROPPED CAR OFF AT 5 STAR FORD NRH, TX AND NOW HAVE BEEN QUOTED OVER 4600.00 TO REPLACE HCU ABS MODULE ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES?! THE PART ALONE IS 4100.00 .... ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I AM DISGUSTED THAT I HAVE NOW SEEN AND READ SO MANY INSTANCES OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE AND WITH NO RECALLS OR LIABILITY ON FORD'S BEHALF! THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED AND IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, TO SAY THE VERY LEAST. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

20121224SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE RED "BRAKE" WORD APPEARED, AND THE RED "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE CAME ON. BRAKES SEEMED FINE, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING ABOUT 3 MILES. STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN I CAME OUT ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER AND STARTED THE CAR THOSE LIGHT MESSAGES DID NOT COME ON, SO I DROVE TOWARD HOME ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. AS I WAS ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM HOME I DROVE OVER A RECESSED MANHOLE COVER IN THE STREET AND THE RED BRAKE WORD, THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN WHEN I HIT THAT BUMP, AND ALSO A WHITE "ABS" WORD. THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY FELT LIKE THEY WERE GOING OUT AS I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER AHEAD. I DIDN'T ACCELERATE ANY MORE BECAUSE THE BRAKES FELT UNRESPONSIVE, SO I COASTED THE REST OF THE WAY THROUGH THE TURN AND TRIED TO PULL OVER AND STOP IN A SPACE WHERE THERE WERE NO PARKED CARS, BUT BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I REALIZED I WASN'T GOING SLOW ENOUGH TOWARD A PARKED CAR AHEAD. I WAS ABOUT TO SWERVE BACK OUT INTO THE STREET BUT PRESSED THE BRAKE DOWN

Mileage: 76,519

20121008SERVICE BRAKES

SIX DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER, MY FATHER LOST BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING THE ENTIRE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE NEXT TIMES THE ABS LIGHT WENT OFF WHILE EITHER HE OR MYSELF WAS DRIVING WE WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES TO MAKE SURE WE HAD PROPER USE OF THEM. WE DECIDED NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT WOULD NEVER STAY ON AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. ALSO, WE DID NOT WANT BE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR THE LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME WE EXPERIENCED IN JANUARY. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST BRAKES WAS SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 WHEN MY FATHER WAS DRIVING. THIS TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS WENT ON. OUR DEALER SENT US TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH HELPING US OUT ON THE REPAIR TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. WE TOOK THE FORD BACK TO OUR DEALER WHO ENDED UP PUTTING A NEW AXLE ON THE V

Mileage: 92,981

20120830ENGINE

"STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARS ON SCREEN WITH RED TRIANGLE: CAR GOES DEAD, COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAUSED A BIT OF A MESS OF THE TRAFFIC BUT NO ACCIDENTS: NO WARNING FOR A COOLING PUMP TO KEEP THE BATTERIES COOL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM ONLINE IN 5 MINUTES AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THE NEXT DAY AT FORD. "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS OVERHEATING PROBLEM. TSB 08-24-5 STATES THAT SOME 2005-2008 ESCAPE HYBRID AND 2006-2008 MARINER HYBRID VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND CODES INDICATING A TRANSAXLE OVERTEMP. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED POWER AS THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES FAIL SAFE OPERATION. CODES P1A0E, P1A0F, P0A3C, P0A3E, P0A7A, P0A7C AND P1A0D MAY ALSO BE SET." *TR

Mileage: 72,000

20120724SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS COMES ON AND THE BRAKES BASICALLY ARE UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES JUST TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER OR THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS, AND THEY FIXED A FEW THINGS RELATED TO BRAKING AND SAID THAT THE CAR WOULD BE FINE NOW, BUT JUST A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20120624STEERING

PART TWO: NOTE FROM CUSTOMER: NO PARTICULAR DASHBOARD LIGHT ISSUE (EXCEPT FOR ONE) WORKED FINE UNTIL UTTER SYSTEM COLLAPSE OF CAR -- UTTER AND QUICK DEATH, LIES LIFELESS ON DRIVEWAY,LEAVING ME W/BROKEN HEART -- MY LOVE AFFAIR W/FORD ROCKED TO DEPTHS. HAD 3 PERFECT TAURUSES, & I NEVER EXPECTED A $5000 FIX ON A CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN DONE TO OTHERS WITH NO GOOD RESULTS. WE ARE AS POOR AS PICKLES. I HAVE READ SO MANY EXACT SAME STORIES ONLINE THAT I BELIEVE THERE IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" & THAT YOU ALL WILL BE (NO OFFENSE) BE HIT BY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT OR A BUNCH OF LEMONS LAW SUITS. I'VE READ THE SAME STORY OVER AND OVER -- BATTERY FAILURE, NEW BATTERY ALSO FAILED IN DANGEROUS PLACES WITH CHILDREN CAR. ALL HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING; OUR BATTERY WAS PRETTY NEW. BUT A NEW BATTERY BOUGHT, INSTALLED & FAILED AFTER ONE WEEK, DIED AND NEVER RECOVERED - THE CAR, I MEAN.) I HAD JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT; IT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN PUT ON A "FAILURE WHEN PAID FOR" INTERNAL TIMER! TECH SAID HE

Mileage: 79,152

Compare 2006FORDESCAPE HEV to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV have?
The 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV has 48 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV?
Yes, the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV?
The most-complained component for the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.