Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently merged into the right lane without warning. As a result, the contact decelerated to approximately 10 MPH, when the CV axle detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side subframe had rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The rear shock tower has rusted out and broken away from the frame which was conformed at a local body shop. The passenger side went first then the driver side went about a year later. There was no warning that this was happening until it broke while driving which made us lose control of the car. When we took it to a repair shop and said it was 2006 escape they responded what side did the shock tower break on this was before we told them it was a shock tower they said it's always that part on a escape I personally know 2 other people who have had the same problem all different years of escapes.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, the front passenger's side subframe collapsed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that severe corrosion on the passenger's side subframe had caused the collapse. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
This 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, and all first and second generation (2001-2012) Escape models, were designed and built with a significant, known defect in the mating area and materials used for the rear floor pan, rear sub-assembly/rails, and rear inner fender liners/upper shock absorber mounts, all made of pressed steel. The design of the components renders them subject to trapping road debris/salt/contaminants, and the inferior steel used oxidizes quickly, resulting in perforated areas of substantial rust. In our 2006 model, the right rear inner fender liner was completely replaced, and the rear subassembly/rails were welded, in 2013 with new Ford parts. By May, 2018, it had to be repaired and welded again. As of May, 2013, five years almost to the day, it has again rusted and separated. …
Both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. I've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. Now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires are being worn out. There is only 110759 miles on it and bought this for my wife/ kids cause I've had 3 other escapes in the past so since I work on the road this is prefect sized for then not to big or too small. I've had so many issues this last year with repairs parts and now worried about safety issues.
My daughter was alerted to a problem when loud banging noises started recently when driving under normal driving conditions. Upon inspection by a mechanic, he discovered that the passenger side and driver side rear wheel wells body parts and shock absorber mounts have significant rust damage. Our vehicle is well maintained according to the manufacture's schedule and as recommended by the Ford dealership service department. I do not understand how we could not have been made aware of a potential issue before during previous tire replacements, shock replacements, and other services that would have had the opportunity to see the problem. The passenger side rear wheel well is so bad that the dealership service department indicated that it is not repairable and referred us to their body shop. The attached pictures show that the interior of the cabin is now exposed. …
When driving I started noticing a loud banging sound starting when driving over small bumps in the road. In taking the vehicle to the local Ford dealer repair shop for an oil change we had them check out the sound that I heard. They pointed out the right, passenger side rear wheel well. At this time we were told the repair was not an immediate repair that was needed but would need to be repaired. We planned to wait until the local roads were repaired from the pot holes developed through winter. A month and a half later, on March 20, 2015 the sound had become extremely worse and I feared for my safety. We took it to a repair shop and they stated the vehicle was no longer safe to drive. The right side rear wheel well had rusted through and the suspension is barely attached to the vehicle. In researching online this is a prevalent problem through several year models not just the 2005. …
There is a clunking sound coming from the rear passenger side. It happens every time I hit a bump. Upon inspection I see that the passenger side rear wheel well is completely rotted and rusted and involves shock mount. It is unsafe to drive and research shows that this is an ongoing problem with this model. I was told not to take my truck on the highway because if I were to hit a bump at 65 MPH, I would be "asking a lot of this car to hold together." I reported the damage to the Ford dealership. I was told to contact Ford directly and if they were to write up a work order then I was to come back for repairs. So the Ford customer relationship hotline informed me that no recall had been issued for this vehicle, and that they were unaware that this was a common, frequent, or widespread problem. They did not consider it a defect. …
The right wheel well of my 2006 Ford Escape (limited) is completely rusted out. I can no longer drive this vehicle because the shock is about to break through the interior of the vehicle. The rust has caused exhaust to pour into the vehicle. Before knowing about this, I took my vehicle to several different mechaincs because I could smell exhaust. They couldn't find anything. A canadian auto body person (I love on the border) told me that it was coming from the holes in the right wheel well and showed me the large hole where exhaust is leaking in. This is a serious safety issue that all Escape owners (2006 at least) need to be made aware of!!! I can't take and attach photos at this time due to the weather but can provide them another time, upon request. I should note that I live in northern michigan and that I have taken meticulous care of this vehicle.
The rear passenger wheel well is completely rotted around the connection for the shock absorber. No body shop will repair as it is too costly and too much of a liability they claim. Driving along and suddenly the car got loud in the back. Shock absorber had come through the interior of the automobile. Car has rust on back "trunk" door and a on the edge of the wheel well exterior on the same side, but remaining parts of the car have very little or no rust. But when you look inside the wheel well you see all the rust around the shock absorber. Google search shows I am not alone with this issue - others report same issue with passenger side rear and people are considering sueing Ford. 2001-2004 escapes had a corrosion recall on the front suspension, but there is nothing for years 2005 and newer. This is should be looked at.
Body complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Ford Escape, 14% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is body (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Escape body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Ford Escape, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.