The Lemon Index2006 Ford Escape.
The 2006 Ford Escape is about average by owner complaints: 104 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 29 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 720 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 124K miles on the car (642 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 49K–120K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 75K–126K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 62K–118K miles
Recalls 5
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
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.
- suspension 2015
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.
- hybrid propulsion system 2014
The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Show all 5 recalls
- equipment 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.
- visibility 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 38 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Red triangle light and codes indicating a transaxle overtemp
- Drivability concerns - hesitation/stumble
- Steering clunk/rattle noise - vehicles built 3/29/2005 to 4/4/2005
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2012–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Suv would not go into gear. Could not get gear shift to move to reverse, drive , or neutral. Dealer replaced shifter assembly for $335.90.
2006 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10246622
More owner reports
For the third time in the past two months the gear shift on my 2006 Ford Escape will not move out of park. The dealer has replaced the gear shift assembly, checked the grounds, now is back in the service department.
NHTSA complaint 10246905
Suv stalled could only get suv to run from neutral. If moved gear shift from park to drive car would stall. Dealer replaced valve assembly-throttle air.
NHTSA complaint 10246616
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Ford Escape reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2006 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (21%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and speed control (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Escape have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Escape get?
19 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,000 and 124,000 miles. The middle report was at 85,600 miles, from 642 complaints.
Does the 2006 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Ford Escape have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works