Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 that while pulling into the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed that the smoke had increased. The contact stated that as he exited the vehicle, the smoke became darker. The contact stated that upon looking through the passenger's side wheel well, he saw flames under the engine compartment. The contact then walked away from the vehicle. The contact stated that the entire front end of the vehicle and dash had significantly burned and melted. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle remained at the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …
The idler pulley on the subject vehicle has failed numerous times, with the mounting bolt shearing at the connection to the timing cover. Upon failure of the pulley the serpentine belt will either fail or become dislodged; when this occurs the steering, alternator, and water pump all stop operating. The vehicle becomes difficult to handle due to the loss of power steering, and is subject to shutting off due to the lack of an alternator and water pump. This particular issue has happened to me on four separate occasions in the last two years; the first time occurred while operating in traffic; the subsequent occasions were noted during startup and were detected before driving. New replacement pulleys will only last approximately 4000-5000 miles before they fail. …
On Sunday May/23/2021 my car shut off suddenly with out warning after 3m of driving, the wrench orange lite came on, i was able to pull aside on the curb, turned off the car and waited a few minutes, i was able to turn the car back on, and the car restarted with out problem but the incident was there. when i got home i start looking on line for an explanation of what went wrong and i encounter that the 2006 Ford scape hybrid has been recall for stalling problems, somehow my car is not part of the recall according with the VIN number, but my car is a 2006 Ford Scape Hybrid, i don't understand why my car its not part of the recall and i hope that it did not fall under the cracks and i hope more that my car will not get stall in the freeway and cause an accident. please let me know if any additional information is need it
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. …
My 2006 Ford Escape was purchased in August of 2005. Four months later, November 2005, I was pulling into a parking slot in front of a restaurant, with my foot on the brake, when it surged ahead, went over a concrete block, took down two poles, and hit another vehicle. At the time I thought it was the brakes, but no one could find anything wrong with the brakes. People said I probably stepped on the accelerator, but I was convinced that I did not. I could not prove anything. July 22, 2018, twelve years later, it happened again. I was pulling into a parking slot in the back of my church parking lot. The engine revved up and the car surged forward, with my foot on the brake, and it happened so quickly, there was nothing I could do. I went over a concrete block and smashed into the sanctuary wall. I was injured and had problems for about a month and a half. …
After about 2 years, 2008, car was dragging took it to Ford, was told nothing was wrong, it was some time later, 2016 /2017 that the transmission went out, had it replaced, less than 1 year it went out again, which Ford replaced, when the service person asked who did it, he just rolled his eyes. 3 years and 2 months later, more transmission problem, now theyare teling it the ptu unit which is causing oil to leak through the engine and now they want 5,000.00 to replace it. A transmission shop was question and they said that year had lots of issue with the transmissions and when Ford replaced the transmission the ptru unit was put in wrong, that they were constantly fixing it, also that the hilltop Ford service department is the worse anyone could go to, also when I took my care to Ford, the engine light was not on, and when I picked it up and told what was wrong, they had on it the I …
Engine lost all oil. There is no oil spot on the road no leak detected each oil change at 3K miles. I had gone to lunch, no problem, no noise, no warning lights. I got in the vehicle to go home and heard a loud banging sound. I immediately turned off the vehicle and towed it home. I checked the oil and it was gone. I had just had to have the transmission replaced and within 2 weeks the oil is just gone. There are 36 other reported incidents of oil being lost in the engine and Ford will do nothing. The cost of a replaced engine is any where from 5ooo to 9000 dollars. If you are lucky enough to have your engine quit when you are are at work like me you can get a tow. Some have reported that the engine just stopped on the highway. Here in southern california that is deadly for several people. Ford and dot need to look into this and replace these engines. …
On several occasions after getting off the highway onto an exit ramp my vehicle has died with no check engine lights, it also shuts down when making a hard turn at slower speeds. I have had issues with the accelerator sticking when it is cold outside (several times having to manually shut off engine and coast to a stop in snow). I have currently started experiencing a #3 misfire and am currently waiting for parts to come. I have already replaced all spark plugs and number 3 ignition coil. I am waiting for other 3 coils to come in. If still shooting will try replacing seals. It also was "burning" oil then started to have an actual oil leak from main seal. I do the repairs myself and apparently these are known issues. I complained to Ford about the sticky accelerator and got no reply. It also makes a tapping sound from the cam shaft which I found out is typical of Ford escapes.
On my home from the grocery store driving approximately 55 to 60 MPH in our 2006 Ford Escape 4 cyl SUV. The vehicle made a loud pop and then caught on fire. Freaked out I pulled off in a driveway. We poured soda pop from 2 litres on the fire to extinguish the flame. The mesh pipe before the last catalytic converter was glowing red. I have read many stories of people with the same problem on all years of Ford Escape. It is in my opinion the rear converter stopped up causing this damage to our once lovely ride.now I am not even sure if it will run. The heat from things like this causes major stress on internal engine parts as the exhaust has no where to go. Then when the engine explodes as it should fire starts. We are now out of a ride until we can pay an extreme amount for this defective SUV.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving no more than 50 MPH, an explosion was heard. The driver pulled the vehicle over and noticed flames. Another driver pulled over and helped her extinguish the fire with snow. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and then later towed to the dealer from where it was purchased. The dealer stated that the motor was faulty, which caused the explosion due to the piston being blown out of place. A police report was filed. The vehicle is still at the shop and has not been repaired. The contact believes that the manufacturer should issue a recall because the defect should not occur in a two year old vehicle. There were no injuries. The current and failure mileages were 59,000.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles.
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Ford Escape, 15% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.