2006 Ford Escape XLT
1FMCU03Z16KA71356
Vehicle history report for the 2006 Ford Escape XLT (VIN 1FMCU03Z16KA71356). Green, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 2.3L 4-cyl 153 hp, gasoline. 120,305 mi reported. Registered in Mi. 5 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
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What a full report checks for VIN 1FMCU03Z16KA71356
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 5
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.
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
NHTSA Campaign #14V526000 · 03/09/2014SUSPENSION: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, …
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 · 03/06/2015POWER 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 transmissio…
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 1-866-43
NHTSA Campaign #15V606000 · 29/09/2015EQUIPMENT
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…
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 · 03/09/2010VISIBILITY: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.
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 · 09/11/2005We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 720 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Escape, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 720
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2006 Ford Escape.
AIR BAGS
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 intact and didn't deploy, but this firm won'tlet me upload them. This car has never been in a wreck before, and my airbags were never recalled like other Takota on…
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #11729724VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof on the vehicle just shattered. No impact related cause. Maybe heat.
NHTSA ODI #11664348STEERING
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 system soon message appeared on the message display. This happened multiple times. I contacted the local Midland Ford Dealer about this issue, as they had replaced t…
NHTSA ODI #11662328ENGINE
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 fail or become dislodged; when this occurs the steering, alternator, and water pump all stop operating. The vehicle becomes difficult to handle due to the loss of …
NHTSA ODI #11638533STEERING
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 intersection. Another driver offered help and got it restarted but the power steering stopped functioning. He pulled it off the road and I then had to drive it home. …
NHTSA ODI #11619631SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
The rear shock tower has rusted out and broken away from the frame which was conformed at a local body shop. The passenger side went first then the driver side went about a year later. There was no warning that this was happening until it broke while driving which made us lose control of the car. When we took it to a repair shop and said it was 2006 escape t…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11589912SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. I've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. Now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires are being worn out. There is o…
NHTSA ODI #11579065STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Transmission Stirring pump Spark plugs
NHTSA ODI #11562480+ 712 more complaints on record.





