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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 720

Of the 2006 reports, 23 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 30 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernService brakes172 reports · 24% of complaints
Owner complaints720Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes172
  2. Vehicle speed control119
  3. Power train100
  4. Engine92
  5. Electrical system79
  6. Suspension75
  7. Structure72
  8. Hydraulic58

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

720 reports, newest first.

  1. Electrical system, Jun 29, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STOP SAFELY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN UNIT FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY AND THE WIRING SAFETY HARNESS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COOLING FAN UNIT FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY AND THE WIRING SAFETY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON JUNE 29, 2011. UPDATED 08/02/11

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 15, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE ABS SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,200. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN

  3. Power train, Jun 11, 2011

    HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH 80,000 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND TOOK OFF FROM STOPPED POSITION AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER VEHICLE. THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL. *TR

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 3, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LAMP. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

  5. Power train, Jun 3, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING , THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD LOCATED BETWEEN THE CONVERTER AND THE PUMP FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,950. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2011

    LESS THAN 9 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2008, THE ENGINE LIGHT OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 WENT ON. MULTIPLE SHOPS ATTEMPTED TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT GET THE LIGHT OFF WITHOUT WANTING TO DO MANY STEP BY STEP "COULD BE THIS..." REPAIRS. COMPUTER CODE INDICATED THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. CAR REMAINED WITH AN EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE DIFFERENT THINGS WERE TRIED. FINALLY A SHOP FOUND A CORRODED WIRE, AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. LESS THEN 7 MONTHS LATER THE CAR BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON, AND IT STALLED AND DIED WITHIN MINUTES. IT REQUIRED 12 JUMOS TO GET IT THE APPROX. 8 MILES HOME. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE THEN REPLACED. LESS THAN 1 MONTH LATER THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. A 2ND ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE PUT IN. 2 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY BEGAN FLASHING THE ENGINE LIGHT PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN. INSTANTLY THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING, AND MAKING LOUD RATTLING NOISES, AND FRESH GAS CAN BE DETECTED FROM THE FRONT END. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO OIL, ALTHOUGH THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY BASED ON LAST OIL CHANGE, AND THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE ENGINE NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (MILEAGE LISTED AT FAILURE IS THE ENGINE EVENT). *TR

  7. Electrical system, Jun 2, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OR COMING TO A STOP, IT WOULD USUALLY SHIFT TO BATTERY MODE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT SHIFT AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. THE MILEAGE ALSO DECREASED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COOLING SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND A KIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

  8. Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2011

    WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, AND NEED TO HIT THE BRAKE SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CAR SLOWS, BUT THEN "BOLTS FORWARD" AND IT REQUIRES ME TO PUT ON THE BRAKES MUCH HARDER THAN I WOULD FOR THE SPEED I AM GOING, IN ORDER TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING NOW FOR YEARS, AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH IT, BECAUSE I HAD NO ALTERNATIVE, BUT THEN I READ THAT THE FORD FREESTYLES, 2005-2007 ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING. SO I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY MAY BE RELATED.

  9. Exterior lighting, May 16, 2011

    ABOUT OCT 15, 2010 I NOTICED WHEN I PUT ON MY RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL THE HIGH BEAM WOULD TURN ON. IT DID IT CONSISTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THEN STOPPED. THEN STOPPED. THEN STARTED AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE THE TRIGGER IS WHEN I DO USE THE HIGH BEAM IS THE TRIGGER THAT STARTS THE PROCESS OF STARTING THE CYCLE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. IT IS A DANGER TO ONCOMING CARS AS WELL AS TO CARS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF YOU BLINDING BOTH.

  10. Power train, May 6, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE STARTED WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THE TONE RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE TONE RINGS WERE REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A RUMBLING SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD FINAL DRIVE DAMAGE AND MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500.

  11. Power train, May 5, 2011

    THE 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC FROM FORD AND HE SAID THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE DEFECTIVE, ON ALL ESCAPES, THERE ARE POSTINGS ONLINE WHERE PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR ESCAPE. MY ESCAPE ONLY HAS 65000 MILES AND IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANT PINPOINT THE PROBLEM SO THEY HAVE TO JUST REPLACE IT. A FORD MECHANIC ONLINE SAID THE CASING WELD INTERNALLY IS FAULTY MAKING THE TRANSMISSION LOOSE PRESSURE. OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE POSTED THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO THEIR TRANNY ON THEIR ESCAPE, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT IT NEED BE RECALLED, ITS COSTING MY FAMILY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM,WHEN FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT ON THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

  12. Exterior lighting, Apr 20, 2011

    THE HEADLAMP SWITCH (STALK) ON THE STEERING WHEEL MAY BE FAULTY. I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAMS WITHOUT SELECTING THAT POSITION (AT LEAST 1-2 TIMES PER DAY). THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN I USE THE TURN SIGNAL. I HAVE ACCIDENTALLY BLINDED MANY PEOPLE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS AND I'M CERTAIN IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

  13. Electrical system, Apr 12, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY. THE ABS AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE DOOR LOCKS ALSO WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AND ALSO INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE PCM BOARD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE TECHNICIANS SUGGESTED THAT THE ALTERNATOR BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED; YET, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE COBATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,576.

  14. Power train, Mar 29, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SHE NOTICED THIS AFTER HEARING LOUD SCREECHING NOISES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,441. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED..

  15. 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.

  16. 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

  17. Air bags, Mar 11, 2011

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE CLOSED THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE REAR RIGHT AND LEFT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD TO BE APPROVED BY THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF FORD. HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP CALL WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Power train, Mar 6, 2011

    ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE STARTED KILLING ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT STOP SIGNS. ID PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND IT WOULD START RIGHT UP.. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE CHANGED ALL THE SPARKPLUGS (THEY NEEDED CHANGED) IT RAN GREAT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. MORE FREQUENTLY, AND AT ALL SPEEDS. IT'S DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY GOING AROUND CURVES OR ON THE FREEWAY. I LOVE MY ESCAPE, AND I DON'T TRUST THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THAT TRIED TO SELL ME A $2800 TRANSMISSION. FOR SOME REASON IT'S NOT GETTING SPARK. I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A REPAIR MANUAL, HOPING IT WILL HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHY THIS HAPPENS. I'M NO MECHANIC, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S SOMETHING FIXABLE. *TR

  21. 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.

  22. Air bags, Feb 16, 2011, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS SHE THEN CRASHED INTO A SECOND CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,200.

  23. Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING 20 MPH FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE UP AN INCLINE TO DETERMINE IF THE PEDAL WOULD FREE ITSELF BUT IT DID NOT. HE WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING WITH ABRUPT FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,574. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF

  24. 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

  25. 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.