2006 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 720 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 23 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 30 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford 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.
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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The 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.
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.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford 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.
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 recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON 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.
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.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorNov 9, 2005
ON 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.
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.
Campaign 05V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
172 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 19, 2016
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS VERY IRRITATING BECAUSE MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON AT WEIRD TIMES AND TO FIX THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME $4500. THAT'S RIDICULOUS I CAN'T AFFORD SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT ALSO JUST STARTED SPITTING GAS OUT AT ME WHEN I GO TO FILL IT UP. DID IT TO ME TWICE THE OTHER DAY AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE REASONING WAS FOR THAT NEVER HAD HAPPEN BEFORE. THEN WHEN I GO TO DROVE OFF SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE LIKES TO MAKE A POP NOISE ONCE OR TWICE NOT SURE WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT. THESE CARS ARE HAVE MORE PROBLEMS THEN THEY ARE WORTH.
Service brakes, Aug 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT TONE RINGS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2015
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR A MONTH. WHEN RETRIEVING IT UPON RETURN BRAKES FAILED, ABS AND BRAKE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. WE PARKED THE CAR IN THE LOT, RENTED A CAR TO GET HOME. NEXT MORNING WE ARRANGED AAA TO TOW VEHICLE. WHEN TOW OPERATOR CAME THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEMS WAS PERFECTLY FINE. WE CHOSE TO PAY HIM AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED ANY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BECAUSE THERE WAS ALSO LOUD BRAKE NOISE. NOW ONE YEAR LATER, JULY 27 2015, [97000+ MILES] SLOWING FOR A RIGHT TURN ON A RURAL HIGHWAY AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN. WITH NO WARNING THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. WITH A CONCERTED EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND MAKE THE TURN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. CONDITION PERSISTED AS WE CONTINUED A FEW MILES TO THE SHOPPING PLAZA. AFTER SHOPPING WE DECIDED TO RETURN DIRECTLY HOME, BUT WHEN CAR WAS STARTED THE FAULT HAD CLEARED AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. WE HAVE JUST SPENT THE MORNING SEARCHING INTERNET AND FIND THIS IS AN ISSUE FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND IS DENYING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. AND APPARENTLY IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO RESOLVE WITH THE NEED TO REPLACE THE HCU. WE NOW UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT ARE AMONG THE MANY WHO FEEL THIS IS CERTAINLY A SERIOUS ENOUGH SAFETY ISSUE FORD SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN ITS RESOLVE FOR OWNERS WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKE SYSTEMS. OUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR IS, THAT THOUGH THERE IS SOME ABILITY TO BRAKE IT IS NOT ANYWHERE EQUAL TO THE 'NORMAL' BRAKING CAPACITY AND THAT IS DANGEROUS. AND THE INTERMITTENT AND RANDOM OCCURRENCE IS TROUBLING TO SAY THE LEAST. WE WILL CONTACT THE DEALER TODAY TO GET THE REACTION TO OUR CONCERN.
Service brakes, Jun 29, 2015
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SUDDENLY RECEIVED WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT THE BRAKES AND HEARD WARNING BEEPS. IMMEDIATELY I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY (BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND GIVE VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE) BUT STILL HAD ACCELERATION AND STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I NAVIGATED THE CAR TO A SIDE STREET AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN TO AN EVENTUAL STOP ON THE SHOULDER USING THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. TESTED THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT SEEMED NORMAL. I THEN STARTED THE CAR UP AND MOVED A LITTLE BIT FORWARD AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. NO WARNING MESSAGES OR SOUNDS. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY AS I DROVE IT BACK TO A SAFE SPOT. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 16, 2015
BASICALLY, THIS IS HAPPENING AT LEAST 1 X / DAY. I AM TAKING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, BUT FORD REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND GET THIS FIXED. I WAS DRIVING ON A REGULAR ROAD AND MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE WARNING BELL. MY HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED AGAIN! I PUT MY FLASHERS ON, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY THE FLOOR AND ROLLED TO A STOP WITH THROBBING EMERGENCY BRAKES STILL WORKING. THEN I TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AFTER PUTTING IT INTO PARK, TAKE OUT THE KEY, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN START THE CAR AGAIN. IT WORKS AGAIN TEMPORARILY. NOW, I KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT AND I PLAN FOR IT SINCE IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, BUT IF I AM EVER IN A SITUATION WHERE I CANNOT CONTROL MY ENVIRONMENT, I CANNOT GUARANTEE SOMEONE WILL NOT BE HARMED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE IN MY VEHICLE. PLEASE! HELP US DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!!!
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 9, 2015
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.
Service brakes, Jun 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,154.MA 08/04/15 UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS
Service brakes, Jun 8, 2015
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF NORMAL AND EFFECTIVE BRAKING. THE ABS AND BRAKE SERVICE LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON IN THE DASH AND IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP IT, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. WHENEVER ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE TO THE RIGHT, CLEARLY INDICATING THAT (AT LEAST) THE FRONT BRAKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY USELESS/INEFFECTIVE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AS IT TOOK ALL OF MY SKILL AS A MOTORIST TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND TO PROTECT MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WHO WERE ALSO WITH ME. AFTER GETTING ONLINE AND READING COUNTLESS FORUMS AND ARTICLES, I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A DISTURBINGLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS TO LOSE EFFECTIVE BRAKING BY WAY OF A FAULTY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT: A PART TO WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT COSTS AN APPROXIMATE $4,200 TO ACQUIRE. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS, IN FACT, THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY ESCAPE. THIS VEHICLE, APART FROM THE FAULTY HCU, IS IN INCREDIBLY GOOD SHAPE AND HAS NO OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE ATROCITY THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PART. IT HAS BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF RECALLING THIS DANGEROUS UNIT UNTIL, INEVITABLY, FATALITIES OCCUR.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, YET THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,800.
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, May 8, 2015
WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING. HAD BEEN IN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHEN THE ABS, BRAKE, AND SERVICE BRAKES, INDICATORS CAME ON ALL AT ONCE. DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT I DID IN FACT NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND BEGAN TO MERGE OVER INTO RIGHT HAND SHOULDER, REPEATEDLY STOMPING ON BRAKE PEDAL. WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY 3-WAY INTERSECTION, OFF OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO SEE IF THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION, BUT ALL THREE INDICATORS CAME ON AGAIN. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. PAID $5280.03 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE FAULTY HYDRAULIC UNIT REPAIRED, AND HCU AND HYBRID SYSTEM BLEED. HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST. VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. ...UPDATED 04/11/17 *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*CN
Service brakes, Apr 27, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND MY BRAKE LIGHT AND WARNING SOUND CAME ON WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE FOR A RED LIGHT. I HAD TO PUSH REALLY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO STOP AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Service brakes, Apr 8, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN
Service brakes, Apr 5, 2015
WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THEY WERE VERY HARD TO DEPRESS AND SLOWED THE CAR VERY SLOWLY. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHEN WE NEEDED TO STOP, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, WITHOUT A DOUBT. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND MY MECHANIC RESET THE COMPUTER AND ALL WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THEN THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. MY MECHANIC, WHO I TRUST IMPECCABLY WAS BAFFLED BY THE WHOLE THING AND ASKED THAT WE SEND THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. THE DEALER (FIRST DEALER) IS TELLING US WE NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, THEN MAYBE THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, WHICH THANKFULLY, IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN CA BECAUSE IT'S A HYBRID PART. HOWEVER, IF IT IS THE HCU, WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER, EVEN THOUGH I SUSPECT IT'S THE HCU FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE CAR WHEN WE INITIALLY BOUGHT IT (SECOND DEALER FROM HERE ON OUT). THE FIRST DEALER IS QUOTING US $2800 TO FIX THE MASTER, WHILE THE OTHER IS QUOTING AROUND $2000. THE SECOND ONE IS ALSO SAYING HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE HCU AND JUST CHANGE IT OUT WHERE DEALER 1 IS SAYING FORD SAYS IN ORDER TO CHANGE OUT THE HCU, THE MASTER HAS TO BE CHANGED FIRST. THE SECOND DEALER IS SAYING THIS SIMPLY ISN'T TRUE. WE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER AND FRANKLY, I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I'M READING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART OF THE CAR AND IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE FORD IS HAVING SOME SERIOUS, LIFE THREATENING ISSUES WITH THIS COMPONENT...AS WELL AS GIVING PEOPLE MASSIVE BILLS TO FIX THEIR CAR. THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD COST $4000 ON A CAR SHOULD BE THE ENGINE. NOT THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS IS INSANITY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 23, 2015
2006 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS A SPORADIC ISSUE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. WHEN THE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED, THERE WAS NO PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE POWER BRAKES FAILED, AND IN ORDER TO GET THE BRAKES TO WORK AT ALL, HE HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER EXPERERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER, THE INSIDE LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE RADIO CUT OUT. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE SPORADIC BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/24/15*JB
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" REQUEST LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKES LIGHT. I HAD "SOFT BRAKES" BUT I COULD STILL USE THE BRAKES SO I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD FERRARIO DEALERSHIP. IT IS NOW A WEEK LATER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4800.00. I THEN REPLIED TO NOT REPLACE THE ABS AS I HAVE BEEN A CAUTIOUS DRIVER FOR OVER 45 YEARS AND DRIVE DEFENSIVELY. THE SHOP TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO BLEED ALL THE TIRE'S BRAKES AS I REQUESTED THAT I "AT LEAST" HAVE HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND IT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE FLUID LEVEL. ALL WORKED PROPERLY EXCEPTING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THIS EVENING I WENT AND RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SHOP AFTER THEY HAD REPLACED THE LEAKING HOSE ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE (ALSO HAD THEM REPLACE THE HOSE ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE). ACCORDING TO THE CONVERSATION WITH THE LEAD TECHNICIAN MY FRONT BRAKES WERE HARDLY USED (OVER 60% OF THE CARS BRAKING) AND LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE RUSTING OR CORRODED OVER WHILE THE ROTORS AND ALL THE PARTS REPLACED EXACTLY ONE YEAR PRIOR STILL LOOKED NEW. BEING CONFUSED ABOUT THIS, ASKED WHY NO ONE HAD CAUGHT THIS EARLIER. WHILE ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SHOP (WITHOUT PROPER BRAKES AND ONLY THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE AND THE HYBRID LOW GEAR TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY WITH) I RESET ALL THE FUNCTIONS LIKE I NORMALLY DO AFTER A SERVICE SHOP VISIT. LOW AND BEHOLD THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT, BUT THERE WERE STILL NO BRAKES WITH SMALL EXCEPTION. I AM NOW WONDERING BOTH HOW AND WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER EXCESSIVE COST (PAID OVER $480.00) THAT I'VE ALREADY INCURRED WITHOUT HAVING THE BRAKES AVAILABLE TO ME. BECAUSE I WORK CONTRACT JOBS AND TYPICALLY DRIVE TO JOBS OR JOB SITES I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THE LARGER CONCERN FOR ME IS THAT THIS TYPE OF FORD SUV HYBRID VEHICLE HAS A RASH OF BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 18, 2015
THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATING AND A CHUGGING SOUND IN 2013.... TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE TONE RING ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN AND REPLACED FOR $350.00. ON 12 JANUARY 2015, BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALONG WITH MESSAGE TO SERVICE BRAKES. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS FAILURE OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC SYSTEM --- APPROX. $4,000.00 TO REPLACE. I DON'T HAVE $4,000.00 PLUS AVAILABLE TO INVEST IN THIS 2006 ESCAPE HYBRID.... THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED, AND IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD APPEARS TO BE DISMISSIVE --- MUCH LIKE GM AND THE ACCELERATION ISSUE. FORTUNATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED DEATHS DUE TO THIS ISSUE..... YET. WE NEED TO GET A RECALL BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 1, 2015
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! *JS
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 18, 2014
WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE YELLOW ABS AND THE RED BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LAMPS LIT UP, AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE AS THE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. BRAKES WENT INTO MANUAL MODE. THIS LUCKILY HAPPENED IN THE EVENING, OR ELSE I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR A PEDESTRIAN. THE CAR JERKED AS I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND I HURT MY NECK. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AT HOME AND FOUND THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT MANY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH, WHICH HAVE NOT YET BEEN ADDRESSED AS A VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT. PLEASE SEE THIS EXPERIENCE HERE & READ THE COMMENTS FROM OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.GREENHYBRID.COM/FORUMS/F26/BRAKES-BROKE-BANK-24731/. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 05-8-5 RELEASED BY FORD THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, AND IT HAS STILL NOT BECOME A RECALL. I DESPERATELY NEED TO USE THIS VEHICLE, I BOUGHT IT AS A SAFE & GREEN HYBRID SUV THAT WOULD BE PRACTICAL, EVEN BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR RECALLS, AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THIS PURCHASE MAY BE A THREAT TO MY LIFE, AND I AM NOW FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIRS AFTER THIS LARGE CAR EXPENSE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH ESCAPE HYBRIDS OF MANY DIFFERENT YEARS, PLEASE SEE THIS MAN'S YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=YFWZPZN2YG8 MORE SITES TO REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPEHYBRID/BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/5850/FORD/ESCAPE-HYBRID/FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-PROBLEMS. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 2, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ABS AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AS WELL AS A WARNING ALARM SOUNDED. THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT, AND I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE I COULD SLOW DOWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS THAT THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 27, 2014
APPROXIMATELY 8-9 MONTHS AGO I FELT LIKE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS GOING OUT IN MY 2006 ESCAPE HYBRID. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT I TRUST A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE MECHANIC DROVE IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS OK SO NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME HE DID NOT PERFORM ANY SORT OF A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST BECAUSE HE FELT THE BRAKES SEEMED OK. FAST FORWARD TO APPROX. 8/17/14, I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND BEFORE I TURNED MY CAR OFF BOTH THE LED MESSAGE BOARD INDICATED AN ISSUE NEEDED ATTENTION (CAN'T RECALL EXACT WORDING) AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP INDICATING THE BRAKE UNIT NEEDED SERVICE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC AND HE PERFORMED A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. HE GOT BACK TO FOLLOWING: "BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS CODE: C1471 HIGH PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR VOLUME CONSUMPTION PLAUSIBILITY FAILURE. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER FIRST AND RECHECK SYSTEM. IF CODE RETURNS THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED." THE COST TO PERFORM THIS WORK IS NEARLY $8,900.00 AND ALMOST ALL OF THAT CHARGE IS FOR REPLACING THESE TWO DEFECTIVE PARTS, NOT LABOR. THE COST TO REPLACE THE FAILING HYDRAULICS EXCEEDS THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 91,589 MILES ON IT AND THE WHOLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM IS FAILING. I CHECKED OUT VARIOUS INTERNET BOARDS AND IT LOOKS LIKE MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM SCORES OF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED, AND MANY OF THEM RIGHT AT THE SAME APPROX. MILEAGE INTERVAL. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT INSTANTLY STOP AND TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULICS CODE WAS PRESENT AS A RESULT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Service brakes, Jul 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO REDUCE SPEED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK POWER WAS RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE WELDED WITH METAL REPLACEMENT PLATES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,198.
Service brakes, May 14, 2014
AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30PM, I WAS DRIVING IN SACRAMENTO MAKING A RIGHT TURN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PETAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR WITH NO HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN IT. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE PANEL SAID "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM." I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR WITH ME AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PRESSING EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO STOP. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO PEP BOYS AROUND THE CORNER WITHOUT BRAKES (EXCEPT WHEN I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR). PEP BOYS LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT MIGHT BE THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO SELL ME ONE UNTIL I HAD A FORD DEALER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE ABS LIGHT WAS OFF, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF, AND THE SERVICE WARNING WAS OFF. FORD DEALER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, DROVE IT AROUND FOR 22 MILES AND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENED. I ADVISED FORD THAT PEP BOYS HAD ADVISED ME THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON INTERMITTENT BRAKE LOSS FOR 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE IMMEDIATELY SNAPPED BACK AT ME "THAT DOESN'T MEAN ITS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY?" I THEN SAID, I CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY AND WANT TO KNOW WHY OUT OF THE BLUE MY BRAKES FAILED. WHEN I WENT BACK TO SEE IF THEY FOUND A PROBLEM, THEY STATED EVERYTHING WAS IN NORMAL WORKING ORDER AND THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE SYSTEM TO INDICATE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Service brakes, Apr 24, 2014
I HAVE THE HYBRID VERSION OF ESCAPE. I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY WHEN THE ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND BRAKE RED LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I THEN PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN AS IT SHOULD THAT'S WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE CAR SLOW DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD READ REGEN BRAKES DISABLE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. THE CAR WORKED LIKE IT DID BEFORE BUT WHEN I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR IT STILL READ THE REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. THE CAR WORKED FINE WITH THE WARNING BUT EVENTUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE WARNING WENT AWAY. *TR
Service brakes, Apr 19, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS AND HAS BEEN DRIVING NORMALLY UNTIL STANDARD BRAKING SITUATION OF COMING TO A STOPLIGHT. AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES WAS GONE. I HAD TO CRUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET ANY BRAKING AT ALL. LUCKILY I'M STRONG ENOUGH TO MANUALLY BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME (DECEMBER 2013) SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE THAT THIS HAPPENED. IT'S NOW APRIL 2014 AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS RETURNED (TWICE IN A WEEK). A VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL SITUATION. HOWEVER, AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE CAN BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON TO CORRECT THE SITUATION (ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURN OFF) AND THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT AUCTION FROM A FLEET OF VEHICLES. THE STICKER DID SAY BRAKE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING IT I FOUND ONLY NORMAL BRAKING AND ATTRIBUTED THE "BRAKE PROBLEM" TO WORN BRAKE PADS ETC. I CAN ONLY SAY THAT THE "BRAKE PROBLEM" THEY MENTIONED ON THE STICKER MUST HAVE BEEN THE SAME SITUATION I'VE RUN INTO - SO THE FLEET PERSONNEL MUST HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. THIS SITUATION SEEMS TO ME TO BE A MUCH DEEPER DESIGN FLAW AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE AND SEEING SO MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS - THIS OBVIOUS FLAW SHOULD BE EXPOSED AND CORRECTED ON A VEHICLE RECALL BASIS BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES. IT SEEMS TO ME ONLY A MATTER OF TIME...... *TR