2006 Ford Escape Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A BANGING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. ALSO, A RUSTED HOLE EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS PRESENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN FENTON, MICHIGAN FOR MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK TOWER FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HOOD COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT USE HOOD PINS WHEN HE REPLACED THE COVER. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE COVER WITH A PART FROM THE JUNK YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT, IMPACTING SHOCK MOUNT ALSO.
DRIVING THIS MORNING WHEN I HEARD A BANGING NOISE WHEN I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I WAS FIMILIAR WITH THE ESCAPES WHEELWELL RUST ISSUE. I LIKED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FOUND THE UNDERCOATING WAS FALLING OFF AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS BARELY HANGING ON. I HAVE A 173000 MILES ON IT. I KNOW FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ON THEIR OWN. FIXES ARE EXPENSIVE, LIKE A NEW WHEELHOUSE , WHICH HAS TO BE WELDED IN, ACCORDING TO DORMAN OR AN L BRACKET FOR ABOUT 200 DOLLARS, OR COB SOMETHING UP MYSELF. I'M 60 AND LIVE HERE IN UPSTATE NY, AND NO WAY SHOULD THIS BE HAPPPENING. SALT OR RAIN, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS. SOMETHING CHANGED AFTER 2006 BY FORD. UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL , NO ONE IS GOING TO HELP YOU. YOU KNOW THE TERM...S.O.L.....
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONTACT NOTICED HOLES INSIDE THE SHOCK AND BRACKET. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
BOUGHT VEHICLE FOR 17YR OLD SON FIRST CAR. WHILE HE WAS DRIVING, HE NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND FROM THE BACK. AFTER INVESTIGATION, FOUND THAT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD TOTALLY CORRODED AWAY AND REAR SHOCK WAS POKING INTO THE INTERIOR. REPORTED TO FORD WHO SAID NO RECALLS AND WOULD DO NOTHING. WHEN RESEARCHING PROBLEM ON THE WEB, IT TURNS OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER ADVISED ME NOT EVEN TO DRIVE IT HOME AS IT IS A SAFETLY HAZARD AND THAT THE WHEEL MIGHT FALL OFF. IF THIS WAS A ONE OFF SITUATION, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT IT, BUT HOW CAN FORD CONTINUE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO DRIVE AROUND IN A CAR WITH AN OBVIOUSLY KNOWN DEFECT AND THAT THEIR DEALERS TELL YOU IS DEADLY. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AN AMERICAN COMPANY WITH SUCH AN ATTITUDE.
SIGNIFICANT RUST THROUGH IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHERE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO FRAME. WHILE DRIVING, SHOCK CAME DETACHED FROM FRAME OF CAR.
PREMATURE RUSTED OUT WHEEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHOOK SEVERELY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD VISIBLY SEE THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCKS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED DAMAGE FROM WHERE THE REAR TIRE WAS HITTING THE REAR WHEEL WELL AND CAUSED PIECES OF THE WELL TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ADDITIONALLY, THE ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKY FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, LOUDER WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. UPON INSPECTION I OBSERVED THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL WAS MISSING IT'S PROTECTIVE COATING AND FLAKING RUST/CORROSION WAS EVERYWHERE WITH EXPOSED WHITE FIBERGLASS SHEETING VISIBLE THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK IS EXPOSED, MISSING BOLTS AND WITH THE BRACKET MISSING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CARE (LEFT REAR) DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS RUST. WITH PALPATION OF THE RIGHT RUSTED REAR WELL A PERSON CAN MOVE THE REMAINING PIECES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND CAN NOT IMAGINE WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL AS OTHER REVIEWS ONLINE DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD: NO ASSISTANCE OR RECALL AS OF THIS DATE. I RESIDE IN WISCONSIN AND TOOK CARE TO REMOVE UNDERBODY SALT TO NO AVAIL, EVIDENTIALLY.
PURCHASED NEW 2006 FORD ESCAPE,MAINTAINED AND GARAGED NO RUST ON CAR ANYWHERE. .LAST WEEK NOTICED LOUD NOISE RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL.BROUGHT TO MY SHOP HE SAID UNREPAIRABLE RUSTED WHEEL WELL.WHEN I BROUGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE COST TO REPAIR WAS MORE THAN CAR WAS WORTH. I FEEL 10 YEARS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR THE LIFE OF A CAR.
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. I AM UNEMPLOYED AT THE MOMENT SEEKING DISABILITY SO THAT MEAN NO INCOME. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DRIVE NOW?????
WHEN A DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE HOOD FLEW UP ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WE USE FOR THE COMPANY. THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE THE COMPANY HAS, YEAR 2010, THAT I AM ALSO GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO CURRENT RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
THE LEFT QUARTER (DOG LEG ONLY METAL PATCH) SEVERILY RUSTED AND I HAD IT REPAIRED , MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RUSTED OUT. ONLY THE LEFT SIDE IS AFFECTED AND NO WATER REST IN THAT AREA. NOW HERE I AM 3 YEARS LATER AND THAT SAME AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE IS RUSTING AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL BE RUSTED OUT JUST LIKE BEFORE. IT'S LIKE THE RUST CAME BACK WITH A VENEGENCE THE GUY AT B& K COLLISION WHERE I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED ADVISED ME HE COULDN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT THE RUST WOULDN'T RESURFACE, WELL IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. MY ISSUE IS WHY IS IT ONLY AFFECTING THE LEFT SIDE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR WHAT OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECTIVE PAIN AND/OR PART!!! I'VE SEEN OTHER FORD ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, SAME SIDE, ETC!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AT THE SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUNK DOOR. A WHILE AGO, SOMETHING LIKE AUGUST 2014, I WENT TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO PUT GROCERIES IN AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AGAIN. NOTHING WORKED. SO I WENT A FEW WEEK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. ONE DAY I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN AND IT WORKED. BUT NOW, JANUARY 2015, I TRIED OPENING MY TRUNK THE OTHER DAY TO TAKE THE GROCERIES OUT OF THERE AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN. I STILL CANT OPEN IT SO I THINK IM GONNA HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. ALSO THE HANDLE ON THE REAR RIGHT DOOR SEEMS TO BE LOOSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE STRUT MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
WE NOTICED BANGING COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. AFTER INVESTIGATING, WE FOUND A NUMBER OF SMALL RUSTED OUT HOLES INTO THE TRUNK FROM JUST THAT WHEEL WELL. THE BANGING WAS THE SHOCK MOUNT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HITTING THE WELL. THE RUSTED OUT AREA HAS GROWN. THERE IS NO OTHER INDICATION OF SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A LEAK FROM THE HYBRID BATTERY; OTHERS, VIA MESSAGE BOARDS AND THE LIKE, HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WERE AFRAID THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WOULD HIT THE WHEEL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SO WE TOOK IT OFF THE ROAD. GIVEN WE NEED THE VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT TO SELL AN OTHERWISE SERVICEABLE SUV FOR SCRAP, WE HOPE YOU CAN PERSUADE FORD TO RECALL THIS MODEL AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2006 Ford Escape has 32 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.