SLOW FUEL FILL AND/OR DTC P0451.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Ford Escape fuel system problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SLOW FUEL FILL DUE TO CLOGGED VENT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SLOW FUEL FILL - REPEAT FILLING STATION PUMP SHUT-OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SLOW FUEL FILL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗COLD CLIMATE SLOW FUEL FILL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Stuck accelerator pedal dominates this cluster—11 complaints describe a throttle that freezes mid-drive or from a stop, forcing owners to slam the pedal hard to unstick it or turn the engine off and restart. The problem clusters in cold weather (below 32°F) but occurs year-round. Owners report losing acceleration at highway speeds and having to limp vehicles to the shoulder while traffic passes. One owner had the throttle body replaced in 2009 under warranty, again in 2011 out of pocket, and a third time in 2014 with only temporary relief. Another had the air bypass valve and throttle body cleaned; neither fixed it. A Ford service manager acknowledged this is common in 2006 Escapes and called it a safety hazard, yet no recall has been issued.
Six complaints document fuel-filler problems: gas pump nozzles shutting off prematurely (sometimes every 30 seconds) and requiring 15 minutes to refuel, or fuel overflowing and spilling around the vehicle when the nozzle fails to shut off. One dealer found a spider nest clogging the vent hose; another owner's dealer quoted diagnostic fees when the vehicle was outside warranty. Ford's response has been to deny knowledge of the issues and refuse recalls despite four technical service bulletins on file for the fill-up problem.
Same Ford Escape fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Stuck accelerator pedal (throttle cable/body)
Accelerator pedal sticks and does not depress, requiring the driver to slam or stomp on the pedal repeatedly to force it to release. Owners report having to pull off the road, manipulate the pedal aggressively, or shut the engine off and restart to regain control. Multiple owners had throttle bodies replaced, cleaned, or air bypass valves replaced with recurring issues.
When: Most common in cold weather below 32°F, but occurs year-round. Some instances during initial acceleration from stops, others during merging or mid-drive. One owner documented multiple failures between October 2010 and September 2011 during cooling months.
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal feels like stepping on a block of wood; Loss of acceleration on expressway at 45-65 mph; Engine shuddering when pedal sticks; Vehicle coasting through traffic; Pedal freezes while in motion, especially during turns or intersection crossings; Engine RPM increases without driver input; Intermittent sticking with frequency increasing in cold temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement (one owner paid $600+); throttle cable assembly replacement (reported as common repair); throttle body cleaning (temporary relief, problem resurfaces); air bypass valve replacement (part 3S6Z-9F715-AA, did not resolve issue); one owner replaced engine for $7,000 in February 2013 with unclear benefit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Service Manager stated no recalls exist and this was common in 2006 Escapes. Owner filing noted an ongoing investigation PE13-003 into defective throttle bodies. Owners report Ford refused to acknowledge the issue and denied recalls despite multiple complaints.
Fuel pump shuts off prematurely during refueling
Gas pump nozzle clicks off repeatedly at the fuel filler neck as if the tank is full, even when tank is nearly empty. Owner must repeatedly remove and reinsert the nozzle, taking approximately 15 minutes to fully refuel. Problem persists across different gas stations and fuel brands.
When: Ongoing for approximately one month; one owner documented problem continuing to worsen over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Pump nozzle shuts off prematurely every 30 seconds; Fuel pump clicks off multiple times during single refueling attempt; Requires 15 minutes to fill tank; Occurs regardless of fuel tank level; Occurs at all gas stations tested
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's dealer diagnosed blockage in fuel fill pipe venting system; technician removed spider nest from vent hose (failure mileage at 2 miles, indicating design or installation issue). Four technical service bulletins exist for this issue per one owner complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford claimed to have never heard of such problems and stated no recall exists. Owner noted four TSBs on file regarding the issue.
Fuel overfills or spills from filler neck
Fuel nozzle does not shut off properly, resulting in gasoline overflowing from the fill tube and spilling around the vehicle. One owner reported missing gas cap cover with fuel drainage clogged.
When: Documented as a known issue since 2006 model year introduction.
Symptoms owners cite: Gas backs out of tank during refueling; Fuel overfills and spills around vehicle; Nozzle does not shut off when fuel reaches tank capacity; Gas spilling out due to clogged drainage
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported $87 diagnostic fee quoted by dealer plus additional labor and parts costs. Owner refused repair while under warranty by 5,000 miles. Another owner experienced blockage in fuel fill pipe venting system requiring vent hose cleaning.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford refused to repair vehicle due to warranty expiration (5,000 miles over limit). No recall issued despite known issue with four technical service bulletins in existence.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2006 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 45,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 62,564. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.