Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My husband and I when returning home from a visit to relatives in taylorsville, utah. It had been snowing but had stopped or slowed down in taylorsville. Since we were driving an Escape Hybrid 4-wd, we believed we would be fine to begin our trip. We were driving on interstate 15 when it started snowing really hard. We were just past the provo area. There were many cars and big trucks on the freeway and everyone was driving as slow as possible. We were driving in the slow lane when suddenly the car started to slide into the inside lane. We had not made any sudden moves, had not increased speed or applied brakes. I could not understand why we began to slide as if the 4-wd kicked in , as it should had. We should have had the necessary traction. It did not feel as though we had any traction at all. As we slid to the inside lane we continued sliding on an angle toward the shoulder. …
Car shuts off with little or no warning, 3 times now, once on interstate 64. Dealer first said Hybrid battery bad, 2nd opinion from Hybrid battery company said battery good. Dealer said, 2nd time with car, need a $600 repair that will resolve. Now, dealer says no, the battery is still the issue. They still cannot state why the car does it, what will make this car safe to drive and if they truly know it is the battery, why did they do the $600 repair and tell us that would fix the problem. I have asked wynne Ford in hampton va, the dealer, for a poc at Ford motor company to be able to get answers on how to make/know our12 yr old car is safe to drive, been over a month, but have recieved no information from wynne Ford. I guess I need to drive to michigan to see mr. William clay Ford jr for answers. I do not know the exact mileage on the vehicle, vehicle is at the dealership. …
I was driving to work when all of a sudden a yellow wrench light came on, my car shut down, and I had to coast across 3 lanes of highway traffic to stop on the shoulder. It wouldn't start at first, then I tried again and it started and drove the rest of the way just fine. I have read hundreds of complaints about the same issue. Apparently the throttle body has a defect getting open or closed, codes p2111 and p2112, respectively. This is very dangerous and I can't believe a recall hasn't been issued for this by Ford. I was already victim of another recall for the mep failing that caused the same thing to happen, complete system shut down. What kind of joke for a safe vehicle is this? I'm abhorred and will never buy another Ford, and I will make sure everyone I speak to knows how much Ford doesn't take care of their customers. They should be ashamed.
While driving on highway at high speed (55mph), entire powertrain (gas engine and Hybrid motor) completely shutdown with no warning leading to an abrupt loss of power and control of the vehicle, and was unable to completely pull off the road safely. The dashboard information center just displayed "stop safely now." there was no warning of this at all. Vehicle would not restart. After sitting for one hour, vehicle restarted and drove perfectly for another 3 days, then the same thing happened again on local streets, leaving the car in a very dangerous position in the middle of the street. Brought into shop and they could not find anything wrong with it. I am almost afraid to drive this vehicle anymore.
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.
Driving car and brakes failed completely. Had to jump on the brakes to get any traction whatsoever. Was fortunately able to use the emergency brake before I got into an accident. Yellow ABS and red brake lights are on, along with messages of check brake system and regen brakes disabled. Appears to be a common problem with Escape Hybrid that it is the hydraulic control unit - a part to repair which is more expensive than the car is worth.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. While the vehicle was placed in the park position, it rolled forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The wheel speed sensor ring, also known as the tone ring, can split or crack while driving, causing loss of ABS and 4 wheel drive. This is what happened to me. It's a known defect, is frightening when it happens, and should have long ago result in a recall.
My car hasn't had any other symptoms and was working fine. On 7/21/14 I was driving at 40 for maybe 5 minutes when the "safety alert" light came on and was prompted to pull over safely. I was in three lanes of traffic, going up a large hill and was doing my best to make it over to the shoulder but the car was not accelerating above 20 at this point and was getting slower and slower. I made it over one lane and the car completely stopped and started rolling back a little. The car never turned off though ac, lights, radio, etc stayed on but nothing would happen when I pressed on the gas. I turned the car off for a few minutes and turned it back on and it worked normally for about a minute and then the same thing happened. I got the car towed to the dealership and was quoted around $800 to replace the throttle. …
Tl 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..
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the drivetrain intermediate shaft and replace it if necessary. The recall began on October 23, 2006. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Transmission complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, 8% of the model year's 256 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-382 (driveline, Oct 5, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.