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2006 Ford Escape XLT

The 2006 Ford Escape XLT is a 153-hp 2.3-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $23,150 MSRP and is rated at 23 mpg combined.

It makes 153 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).

The Escape measures 174.9 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,176 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$23,150 ($37,320 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.3L I4
Displacement2.3 L
Horsepower153 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque152 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Combined23 MPG
Tank Capacity16 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15.0 in
Wheels Rear15.0 in
Tires FrontP225/75R15
Tires RearP225/75R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length174.9 in
Width70.1 in
Height69.7 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb Weight3,176 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (20.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2006 Ford Escape 4-DR.

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford ESCAPE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 29, 2015 · 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 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

NHTSA campaign 15V606000

Jun 3, 2015 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. 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.

Consequence: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

NHTSA campaign 15E045000

Sep 3, 2014 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.

Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

NHTSA campaign 14V526000

Sep 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT

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. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

NHTSA campaign 10E043000

Nov 9, 2005 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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.

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

NHTSA campaign 05V520000

720 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Ford ESCAPE

Owner Complaints

720 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford ESCAPE (23 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 21 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes172
Vehicle Speed Control119
Power Train100
Engine92
Electrical System79
Suspension75
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 7, 2026 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“I was in a major high speed frontal crash on April 4th. I hydroplaned on 204 and I almost died and none of my airbags deployed. I have several videos from the tow yard showing that they were still…”
Jun 2, 2025 · Visibility, Structure, Unknown Or Other
“Sunroof on the vehicle just shattered. No impact related cause. Maybe heat.”
May 21, 2025 · Steering
“I was driving on the highway, when the car steering started to pull to the left, and an alarm chime was heard from the dash, and a wrench light on the dash came on, as well as a service steering…”
Jan 25, 2025 · Engine
“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…”
Oct 14, 2024 · Steering
“Like so many others, I was making a sharp right turn when the vehicle stopped without warning causing cars behind me to slam on their brakes to avoid a chain rear end collision event on a busy…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 FORD ESCAPE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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