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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Well to put it lightly my rear axial the whole rear end is a mess this did not happen from normal were there is not that many miles I am very confident that if I was mot train on how to control a car if it were to go out of control at a high speed this would be a whole different story just thank how many are still on the road this year 2006 escape is a ticking time
Well, my vehicle has been maintained and up kept since day one, and before that my mother. The shifting solenoids are starting to go, which means the tyranny will eventually go. It searches to find gears and has never been beat on. This is quite a nuisance, constantly pulling over and starting it up again just to shift. Never has been low on fluids either. The main problem with the escapes is the transmission and although mine is not under the recall, as all others are, I feel that I have been outdone by Ford [redacted] me over. Honestly the worst transmission issue I've seen with any model from Ford, or much less Chevy and gmcr or Toyota. My corolla lasted longer than this one, over 200000 in fact! The fact of it is, this one didn't even make it to 200000. Wtf this started out of nowhere, no warning, nothing. Turned the vehicle on one day and it just didn't want to shift. …
The service engine light came on plus the wrench light. The vehicle told me to pull over safely. It would not go over 20 miles per hour. I had it towed to the Ford dealership and was told it was the throttle body. I did research online where other escapes were having the same issue. The north carolina consumers council stated this online- "we have been informed that Ford has issued an extended warranty for defective throttle body assemblies and sensors for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the data of original purchase. For vehicles past this time limit, the warranty is reported to be valid until January 31, 2015." since I am over the mileage I am having to pay for the part.
Had a winter spell that brought about 6 inches of snow. When I left for work I got stuck at a stop sign and found myself unable to go forward or backwards. I therefore employed standard winter driving tactics slowly changing back and forth from reverse to drive in a rocking motion to get the vehicle unstuck. After freeing the vehicle I then proceeded to drive towards my work but the vehicle wouldn't stay in gear. Now the vehicle won't go into a moving gear except for every once in a while and only for a few seconds before it slips back out of gear and won't move. Can also hear a loud grinding / clacking noise coming from up front around the transmission.
ABS failure. The car brakes May at times lock-up without notice. Transmission failure: the transmission acts as if it's in neutral when in both forward gear or reverse. Transmission appears to be in good repair but this issue persist. This issue appears to occur from a beginning acceleration such as putting car in reverse and accelerating or putting car in drive and accelerating. This also happens when you May be stopped at a traffic light and attempt to proceed only to have the car act as if it's in neutral. This slipping in and out of gear issue seems to only happen from a take off speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts, but would stall after it was placed into gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coils failed and were not getting signals from the power train control module. The PCM coil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,127.
The transmission in my 2006 Ford Escape went out on me while I was driving. Upon on having a mechanic tear it apart, it was found that a bearing and the clutch went out in it. The same mechanic, before working on my transmission, did research and found that many other Escape owners had the same problem and that Ford has not issued a recall know wing that there is a problem. The mechanic found that there should be a shift kit that was not there. I also learned that no Ford trained technicians would work on my Escape.
Driving down the freeway and my vehicle shuts off without warning. There is a loud knocking and shuttering noise like my whole engine is going to drop onto the freeway. I get to the shoulder and put it in park. As I try to start the vehicle again the engine/motor starts shaking yet again with a loud knocking noise and wont turn over. I had to get my car towed. My children were extremely scared and being on the freeway this issue is very dangerous and has been complained about multiple times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without warning and stalled. The contact experienced the same failures listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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…
Remedy: 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.
Transmission complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Escape, 17% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Escape transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-606 (floor shift, Sep 29, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.