Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Ford Escape has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 464 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V606000 Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V526000 Motor Electronics Coolant Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10E043000 AFTERMARKET SEAT COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V520000 WIPER MOTOR GREASE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 99 complaints
- Power Train 80 complaints
- Suspension 65 complaints
- Structure 63 complaints
- Engine 47 complaints
- Service Brakes 41 complaints
Of the 464 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 464 complaints, owners report 26 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Ford Escape faces significant issues, particularly with the powertrain and vehicle speed control, each with extensive complaints and related recalls. These problems, along with others in the suspension and brakes systems, contribute to a below-average reliability outlook.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | very common |
| wheel bearings | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| coolant pump | 70,000–110,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
| wiper motor | 50,000–90,000 miles | $150–$400 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 24,000 miles
- Coolant system check annually
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Suspension check annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping or harsh shifts
- Unusual steering noises
- Excessive brake pedal travel
- Coolant leaks or overheating
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.