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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 29, 2011
I JUST BOUGHT A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE SERVICE BREAK SYSTEM LIGHT AND MESSAGE CAME ON MONDAY, THE 2ND TIME I DROVE IT, ON THE WAY TO WORK. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION BUT IT TURNED OFF. NEXT MORNING, SAME THING SO I CHECKED FLUIDS. IT WAS OFF AGAIN THE REST OF THAT DAY. LIT UP AGAIN WEDNESDAY. I MADE IT THAT EVENING TO A SERVICE STATION BEFORE THEY CLOSED (VERY RURAL AREA). THE WARNINGS WERE NOT ON AND HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS ON PRELIMINARY INSPECTION BUT SAID TO BRING IN IN THE MORNING IF THE WARNING WAS BACK. THURSDAY IT ACTED FUNNY ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT CURVE I FOUND OUT WHY, NO BREAKING POWER EVEN WITH THE EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I FINALLY GOT IT TO A STOP WAY PAST THE CRAZY RIDE AROUND THE CURVE. I STOPPED TO CALM MYSELF AND DECIDE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO GET TO TOWN. I DECIDED THE E-BRAKE SEEMED TO STOP IT IF I KEPT IT VERY SLOW. SO I PROCEEDED TO TOWN-NOT TO A FORD DEALER BECAUSE OF SOME VERY SCARY BIG HILLS, BUT INSTEAD TO THE SERVICE STATION WHO I TRUST. HE WAS BOOKED A WEEK AND A HALF AND HE DIDN'T KNOW IF HIS COMPUTER HAD THE HYBRID PROGRAMMING TO CHECK IT. SO I HAD TO TOW IT 63M TO THE DEALER I GOT IT FROM, THINKING THEY WOULD STAND BY IT OR IT WOULD BE COVERED BY THE "DRIVETRAIN PLUS" SERVICE AGREEMENT I PURCHASED TO COVER ANY SCARY PRICED REPAIRS THAT CROP UP ON OLDER CARS. IT WAS SOLD AS-IS, AND IOWA HAS NO LEMON LAW APPARENTLY, THE PLAN I PURCHASED SOUNDS LIKE IT WON'T COVER IT, AND THEY OFFERED ME A MEASLY 10% OFF THE BILL THAT IS ABOUT HALF AGAIN WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR. I GOT TO DRIVE MY NEW USED CAR 4 1/2 TIMES. ALL I CAN DO IS THANK MY LUCKY STARS MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE CAR, THERE WASN'T A CAR NEAR ME, I WASN'T COMING DOWN ONE OF THE STEEP AND CURVY RIVER BLUFFS ON MY WAY TO OR FROM WORK, OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER SCARY SCENARIOS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. FALIURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM'S HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HCU AND MASTER CYLINDER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A DESIGN FLAW MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED.
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 15, 2011
IN 12/2006, MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. I WOULD GET A "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR. I BROUGHT IT IN TO CHAMPION FORD IN BOULDER, CO 3 TIMES. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE 3RD TIME THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AFTER I GAVE THEM INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET AND THE TSB. WITH COOPERATION FROM FORD SERVICE THEY PERFORMED A GROUND/HARNESS REPLACEMENT. CHAMPION FORD THEN WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO SILL-TERHAR FORD IN BROOMFIELD, CO FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND ADDITIONAL 6 TIMES, WHERE THEY PERFORMED THE SAME SERVICE (REPLACE GROUND/HARNESS). NOW, THEY ARE SAYING THE FIX REQUIRES A NEW ABS MODULE ($4,000). THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT WITH OTHER OWNERS LOSING THEIR BRAKES. I NEVER LOST MY BRAKES, BUT AFTER DISCUSSING THIS WITH MY CURRENT FORD SERVICE REP, HE SUGGESTS THAT MY PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN "IMPROPER" BRAKING BEHAVIOR, WHICH MEANS I'VE BEEN DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS BASED ON FORD'S SERVICE RECOMMENDATION FOR MY PROBLEM. FORD IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH WHEN MY PROBLEM STARTED, I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 10, 2011
2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT, C/O LEFT FRONT ABS (ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) TONE RING FAILURE... AT 94,782 MILES ON MY ODO MY LEFT FRONT ABS TONE RING BROKE COMPLETELY IN-HALF CAUSING A ABS SENSOR FAILURE AND THE BRAKES BECAME TEMPORARILY SEMI-UNRESPONSIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS ( 3-5 SECONDS ) WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. BRAKING WAS GREATLY REDUCED AS IF THE CAR THOUGHT I WAS SLIDING ON ICE OR SNOW. AFTER THE SYSTEM DETECTED FAILURE ( 3-5 SECONDS) THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD AND THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE DEACTIVATED BY THE CAR. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TOOK THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OFF AND INSPECTED MY BRAKES AND ABS SENSOR, I NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT ABS TONE RING WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED, FREE SPINNING LOOSELY AROUND THE AXLE AND WAS BROKEN COMPLETELY ON ONE END. I WENT ONTO GOOGLE AND RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THEIR FORD ESCAPES. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS I THINK THAT PERHAPS THE ABS TONE RINGS FORD USED ARE FAULTY AND COULD POSE A DANGER TO MOTORIST BY CAUSING SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY OVER A FEW SECONDS AS DIRECT RESULT OF THE ABS TONE RING FAILURE. THE ABS TONE RING IS REPLACEABLE BY FORD OR YOU CAN BUY THE PART AT A PARTS STORE. REPAIR DOES INVOLVE REMOVING PART OF THE AXLE, SO IT IS BEST DONE BY A MECHANIC OR TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF 80% BRAKING POWER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 10024326 (SERVICE BRAKE: CONTROL UNIT MODULE) AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE THE SAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 4/4/11 *CN THE REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED A MASTER CYLINDER. UPDATED 05/23/11
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 17, 2011
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, GOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN I FELT MY CAR START TO SLID LIKE IT WAS ON ICE EVEN THOUGH THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. MY ABS LIGHT AND MY SERVICE 4WD LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING HOME BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. I CAME HOME GOOGLED IT AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY TONE RING AND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO 2000 FORD ESCAPES AND AS RECENT AS 2010 FORD ESCAPES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THE RING COULD SNAP JUST FROM TURNING A CORNER. I DON'T KNOW WHY FORD ISN'T BEING REQUIRED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WHY ARE THE BEING ALLOWED TO PUT THIS SAME PRODUCT IN THE VEHICLE YEAR AFTER YEAR KNOWING ITS INFERIOR. WHEN THE RING BREAKS IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 25, 2011
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2006 ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT COME ON, LOSE POWER BRAKING. MUST PUSH VERY HARD ON BRAKE PETAL TO STOP CAR, HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 8 TIMES. AFTER STOPPING CAR, I CAN USUALLY TURN KEY OFF AND THEN RESTART CAR AND PROBLEM IS GONE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM A FULL DIAGNOSIS AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 5, 2010
LETTER FROM SENATOR DENT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (DOT/I # 2010-2203) *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO SERVICE THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED IT COST $120 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY HYDRAULIC COMPUTER MODULE AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $ 5,000. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 19, 2010
BRAKES ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME SIMULTANEOUSLY. BY PINNING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOULDER. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON "RESOLVED" THE ISSUE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALER BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET. LOOKING ON LINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Electrical system, Oct 4, 2010
2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID - INTERMITTENT POWER BRAKE BOOST FAILURE. WHEN BEGINNING TO PRESS ON BRAKES FOR AN INSTANT THEY FEEL NORMAL AND POWER ASSISTED, THEN THE PEDAL FALLS AND ALL POWER ASSIST IS GONE. THE VEHICLE STOPS WITH GREAT PRESSURE IN THE LAST FEW INCHES OF PEDAL TRAVEL. 3 OCCURRENCES: AS OF OCTOBER 4, 2010 1. MAY 2010 AT THE END OF A FREEWAY OFF RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE 2. 24 SEPTEMBER , 2010 ( APPROXIMATELY 180,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) SAME BRAKE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER A STOP OF OVER 30 MINUTES, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP, FIRST BRAKE PRESSING RESULTED IN AN INSTANT OF PEDAL , THEN PEDAL SNAPPING TO THE FLOOR AND CAR STOPPING AFTER APPLICATION OF MANUAL PRESSURE. DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON A FEW SECONDS LATER. 3. ONE WEEK TO THE DAY LATER, 1 OCTOBER, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 188,500 MILES. FIRST BRAKE APPLICATION AFTER A START OF THE VEHICLE AND BACKING UP. PRESSING BRAKES RESULTED IN THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. APPROXIMATELY 30 OR 40 SECONDS AFTER THE LOSS OF BRAKE BOOST THE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "BRAKES" RED LIGHT AND OTHERSLIKE THE 'SERVICE SOON' WRENCH. I AM THE PURCHASER OF THE CAR NEW IN THE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AREA, AND THE PRIMARY ( OVER 90% OF THE TIME) DRIVER, COVERING OVER 110 MILES 4 DAYS A WEEK. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,683 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,890.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 21, 2010
I OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. IT HAS 70,683 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (50 MPH) AND NOTICED THE ABS LIGHT ON AND THE 4WD LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, I ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY AND AROUND THE SAME RATE OF SPEED.. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Sep 2, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH ONLY 46,708 MILES AND MY ABS/AWD LIGHTS AND HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF JUST OUT OF NOWHERE. ALSO, RELATED TO THIS WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON MY BRAKES THERE IS A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE THAT IT MAKES. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE A BAD TONE RING (ABS RING) AND SEEMS VERY COMMON WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE LOOKED AROUND AND MOST SERVICE REPAIR PLACES WANT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE FOR AROUND $600 DOLLARS. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD FOR ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OR SO. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THANK YOU!!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2010
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I TOOK MY ESCAPE HYBRID TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I WAS ON MY WAY A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER. THEN YESTERDAY, MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM CAME ON. AFTER THIS OCCURRED, MY BRAKES GO OUT AND THEN I MUST COME TO A ROLLING STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE. IT OCCURRED 6 TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS (20MPH & 70MPH) I THEN RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK OVER IT. TODAY, I AM TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ABS SYSTEM INSTALLED WITH THE HYDRAULIC/ELECTRIC CONTROL UNITS TOTALLY $7,400. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THIS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL POSTING REGARDING A SIMILAR ISSUE HOWEVER STILL NO RECALL. I WOULD ASSUME A FACTORY DEFECT REGARDING THE BRAKES WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH FOR A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 15, 2010
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND BUSY INTERSECTION. I APPLIED BRAKES (VIA PEDAL) AS USUAL, BUT HAD NO BRAKING POWER / CORRESPONDING SLOWDOWN. I HAD TO JAM MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND COVER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN CASE I NEEDED IT, AND THANKFULLY I WAS THE FIRST CAR AT THE LIGHT SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE REST OF THE DRIVE, IT TOOK AT LEAST 5 TIMES LONGER/MORE DISTANCE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO A STOP THAN NORMAL AND AT THE SAME MOMENT I LOST BRAKING POWER, A CHIME SOUNDED & BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE(S) LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP; MESSAGE CENTER READ "SERVICE BRAKES SOON". I JUST HAD THE VEH IN FOR ITS 40K MILE SERVICE 2 DAYS AGO & IT HAD NOTHING WRONG WITH IT--BRAKES WERE ALL LISTED AS TOP CONDITION. NOW I'M ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, UNSURE WHEN THIS CONDITION WILL RECUR (THE LIGHTS RESET & AND I CHECKED TODAY--THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AGAIN, FOR NOW.) WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS, BRAKING IS AN ODD SLOW PULSING, LIKE A SLOWED DOWN VERSION OF AN EMERGENCY ABS STOP ("PUMPING THE BRAKES" FEELING.) I'VE NEVER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS CLEARED AND, FOR NOW AT LEAST, THE BRAKES *SEEM* TO BE WORKING BUT I CAN'T CHANCE IT. GETTING IT TOWED FOR SERVICE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 2, 2010
RED BRAKE LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT A CONSTANT PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE MAY 2010 AND IT IS NOW AUGUST 2010 AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. WE OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WE HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES, A NEW WIRE HARNESS, SOME OTHER TIP REPLACED, AND A SENSOR REPLACED. WE HAVE EVEN HAD A FORD ENGINEER LOOK AT IT. I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THE VEHICLENLY HAS 58,000 MILES AND I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ABS MODULE. BUT THE ABS MODULE SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT AT 58,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 26, 2010
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN, DOING NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUFFERED COMPLETE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2010
BRAKING SYSTEM DEFECTS IN FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2006. THE BRAKES FAIL, MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 4, 2010, crash
CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND DAMAGE TO CAR. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE IN PAST YEAR TO FIND OUT WHY OUR BRAKES "CATCH" CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING. THEY TOLD US BOTH TIMES THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM AND SENT US OUT WITHOUT AN ANSWER OR FIX. THEN YESTERDAY WHAT WE FEARED FINALLY HAPPENED; DURING BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PLOW INTO A GARAGE DOOR. THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND EVEN DURING DROP-OFF THEY TOLD US THAT THIS COULDN'T HAPPEN AND THAT WE WERE MISTAKEN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Mar 9, 2010
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST FOUR EXPERIENCES OF MALFUNCTIONING SPEED SENSORS. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED ME INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSES FOR REPAIR. THE TYPICAL INCIDENT INVOLVES A MALFUNCTIONING OF THE ABS AND 4X4 SYSTEMS, WITH WARNING LAMPS LIGHTING UP INDICATING THAT THERE IS A DANGER OF SKIDDING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IN THREE INSTANCES I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY FORD DEALERS, WHO REPORTED: "FOUND REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR TO BE FAULTY" (JAN. 08); "REPLACED THE FAILED RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR" (SEPT. 08); "INSPECTED THE SENSOR AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND FOUND THE TONE RING ON THE AXLE CRACKED. NEEDS NEW AXLE" (AUG. 09). TWO OF THESE WERE DONE ON WARRANTY; THE THIRD COST $344.95. ALL DEALERS HAVE GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT EVEN WITH WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IT WAS "SAFE" TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. ON MARCH 7 AND 8, 2010, WHILE ON A TRIP AWAY FROM HOME, THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED AGAIN. GIVEN EARLIER ASSURANCES BY DEALERS, I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP IGNORING AS BEST AS POSSIBLE THE WARNING LIGHTS, POPPING SOUNDS OF THE 4X4, AND OCCASIONAL SHUDDERING OF THE ABS SYSTEM. SURPRISINGLY, AFTER SOME HIGHWAY DRIVING (PERHAPS 50 MILES) THE WARNING SIGNALS STOPPED LIGHTING UP AND THE CAR SEEMED TO HANDLE FAIRLY NORMALLY. NOW, A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR CONTINUES TO OPERATE WITHOUT SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION, BUT IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE PROBLEM "FIXED ITSELF" OR THE COMPUTER-CONTROLLED READ-OUTS HAVE CEASED FUNCTIONING, THEREBY DISGUISING THE POSSIBLE PERSISTENCE OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT MAY BE AN INHERENTLY FAULTY DESIGN THAT MAY COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE DESPITE ASSURANCES TO THE CONTRARY GIVEN BY DEALERS. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 8, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE V6 2WD. BOTH ABS TONE RINGS CRACKED WITH ONLY 58K MILES. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT FORD RECALLED ON THE 2001-2004 MODELS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO FAIL AND TURN OFF. I HAVE READ THAT THE 2005,2007, 2008, AND 2009 HAVE THE SAME FAILURES. THAT MEANS EVERY MODEL FROM 2001-2008 HAVE HAD THE SAME DEFECT WITHOUT BEING ADDRESSED. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 10, 2010
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE WHEN COMING TO A NORMAL STOP. HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND I AM TOLD IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPES WHERE A PLASTIC RING COMES UNGLUED AND CAUSES THE ABS TO ENGAGE WHEN IT IS NOT NECESSARY. HAVE ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND NEARLY ENDED UP IN A FEW INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE THE ABS PREVENTS ME FROM STOPPING NORMALLY ON DRY SURFACES. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Electric, Feb 5, 2010
ELECTRIC CONTROLLED BRAKES, & ELECTRIC CONTROLLED POWER ASSIST STEERING. SEEING ALL THAT IS HAPPENING TO TOYOTA I THOUGHT I HAD BEST REPORT MY INCIDENTS TO SOMEONE SO THAT A FILE COULD BE STARTED AND HISTORY COULD BE MADE OF DEFECTIVE ISSUES WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRID MINE IS A 2006 MODEL AND EVERYTHING STARTED JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I NOW HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IT IS ALWAYS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT SEEMS TO FAIL ACCORDING TO FORD SERVICE WRITERS. I IOD SOME INVESTIGATION WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED AND IT WAS JUST A WHEEL SENSOR THAT MALFUNCTIONED BUT IT CAUSED A MAJOR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CONTROL MODULE AFTER I CHECKED THE COST I TOLD FORD TO TAKE THE FUEL-SAVING VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN A JUNKYARD AND THEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER SERVICE TECH THAT THE SENSOR JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET AN THAT WOULD BE JUST A LITTLE OVER $300 SO I HAD IT SERVICED AND NOW AFTER A FLAT TIRE I AM TOLD THAT MY POWER ASSIST CONTROL UNIT NEEDS REPLACING THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID THAT AFTER YOU USE A DONUT TIRE THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND AGAIN I AM TOLD IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS THE ONLY MACHINES THAT COULD RESET THESE SENSORS, SO PARDON MY LAYMANS TERMS BUT FORD HAS YOU BY THE '!@#$%'.SINCE THEY CONTROL THE SITUATION. I DO HOWEVER BELIEVE THAT OUTSIDE ELECTRICAL FIELDS HAVE AN EFFECT ON THESE ELECTRICAL SENSORS. IT COULD BE AS LITTLE AS A PAVEMENT SENSOR THAT CONTROLS SIGNAL LIGHTS TO ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL FIELD THAT DAMAGES THESE SENSORS THAT ARE NOT SHIELDED. THANK YOU FOR READING MY THOUGHTS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 12, 2010
WE OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 4WD. IT HAS APPROX. 56,000 MILES ON IT. THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED ON IT IN DEC. THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA CAME BACK WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $6000 FOR REPAIR SECONDARY TO A FAILURE IN THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLS THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART ITSELF IS $4300. WE CONTACTED FORD WHOSE RESPONSE WAS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER THEN CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND FORD AGREED TO TAKE $1000 OFF THE PART COST WHICH BROUGHT OUR REPAIR DOWN TO $5000. OUR NON-FORD MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A USED PART FOR $350, INSTALL IT THEN TAKE IT TO FORD TO REFLASH THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS. FORD CAME BACK TO US AFTER ABOUT A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULD NOT REFLASH THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THOSE COMPONENTS COULD ONLY BE PROGRAMMED ONCE ON THE INITIAL BUILD. WE WOULD BE FORCED TO PURCHASE A NEW PART FROM FORD WHO THEN ARE ALSO THE ONLY ONES WHO POSSESS THE SOFTWARE TO GET THE VEHICLES WORKING AGAIN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FOR $2300 BUT COULD ONLY HAVE A FORD DEALER DO THE REMAINDER OF THE WORK TO GET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO WORK. NOT SURE IF ANY FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD ALLOW US TO BRING IN OUR OWN PART WE PURCHASED OFF THE INTERNET IF WE WERE TO PURCHASE THE CHEAPER PART. IN ADDITION, IT TURNS OUT FORD IS REQUIRING PARTS DEALERS TO RETURN THE USED PART TO FORD AFTER PURCHASING THE NEW PART. FORD THEN REMANUFACTURES THE PART (WHICH THEY GOT FOR FREE FROM THE CONSUMER) AND RESELLS IT AS A NEW PART FOR $4300 TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING HYBRID OWNER. SINCE OUR CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT THE REPAIR, IT FEELS LIKE FORD IS GROSSLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS THESE TO UNFAIRLY GOUGE THEIR CUSTOMERS. PART # 7M6Z2C286B. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2009
BRAKE SYSTEM ON 2006 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE. REPLACED BRAKES AT REPUTABLE SHOP NEAR HOME 11/17/09 AS ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND 55,000 MILES ON CAR. SHOP INFORMED ME ABS LIGHT STILL ON SO THEY PUT CAR ON COMPUTER AND FOUND IT TO BE THE SENSOR ON THE BRAKE AXLE. THEY UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT HELP ME AS FORD DOES NOT ALLOW ACCESS TO NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO FIX SYSTEM UNTIL CAR IS 5 YRS.OLD AND WAS TOLD THEY TRIED TO PUT A NEW STATIC RING ON AND IT MIGHT WORK. IF LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN TAKE TO DEALER. 2 WKS LATER ABS LIGHT ON AS WELL AS RED BRAKE LIGHT SO TOOK CAR TO WILLOWBROOK FORD DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THE PART TO REPLACE IS $4300 WITHOUT LABOR. THIS SEEMS CRIMINAL FOR A PART TO COST THAT MUCH AS THE CAR IS ONLY A 2006. I HAVEN'T EVEN FINISHED PAYING FOR THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD OF GOTTEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I TOLD THEM THEY SHOULD MAKE A BETTER PRODUCT. I EXPECT A NEW CAR TO LAST LONGER THAN 3 YRS. AS IT STANDS TODAY THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCONNECT THE ABS SYSTEM BUT I AM NOT SURE OF THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. IF THEY CANNOT DO THAT I WILL BE FORCED TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS OUTRAGEOUS PART. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID? *TR