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2006 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

547 reports with mileage · 83 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 296 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports7 fire reports10 injury reports

Equipment complaints

11 reports
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52,000 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

DEVELOPING COOLANT LEAK BELOW FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATOR. MY MECHANIC HAS DECLARED THE RADIATOR DEFECTIVE AND IS FAILING. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILED RADIATOR. THE FIRST FAIL WAS IN OCT 2009, APROX 48K MILEAGE, AND WAS CONSIDERED A PROBLEM KNOWN BY FORD. NOW I FACE A SECOND REPLACEMENT OF EXCESS $800 ESTIMATE MARCH 24TH 2011. MY …

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DEVELOPING COOLANT LEAK BELOW FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATOR. MY MECHANIC HAS DECLARED THE RADIATOR DEFECTIVE AND IS FAILING. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILED RADIATOR. THE FIRST FAIL WAS IN OCT 2009, APROX 48K MILEAGE, AND WAS CONSIDERED A PROBLEM KNOWN BY FORD. NOW I FACE A SECOND REPLACEMENT OF EXCESS $800 ESTIMATE MARCH 24TH 2011. MY ESTIMATED MILEAGE WAS 24K BETWEEN REPAIRS. THIS NEEDS TO BE SOLVED OR OUR FUTURE CARS WILL NEVER BE FORD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392767

54,730 miles · Feb 26, 2010
EquipmentPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO MOVED OUT OF PARK OWN ITS OWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH HER VIN FOR THE GEAR SHIFT AND MAD…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO MOVED OUT OF PARK OWN ITS OWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH HER VIN FOR THE GEAR SHIFT AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE SHIFTS GEARS ON ITS OWN IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND A METAL ODOR WAS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,730.

NHTSA ODI #10314699

40,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I BELIEVE THE FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED! FIRST OF ALL, LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 47 COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIATOR LEAKS AND HAVING TO REPLACE RADIATORS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IT OVERHEATS...IT COULD LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ON SIDE THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN EXPLODE O…

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I BELIEVE THE FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED! FIRST OF ALL, LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 47 COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIATOR LEAKS AND HAVING TO REPLACE RADIATORS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IT OVERHEATS...IT COULD LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ON SIDE THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN EXPLODE OR CATCH ON FIRE! PLEASE LOOK AT CARCOMLAINTS.COM AND REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD 2006 EXPLORER RADIATORS! MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THIS SAME RADIATOR REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE! OK, NOW TO ME...I BOUGHT A 2006 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY OF 2006. IN MARCH OF 2008, I WAS TOLD THAT MY RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A VEHICLE WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH GET SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECKS REGULARLY WITH A MECHANIC COULD HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY...I GOT IT REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IT WAS VERY COSTLY. WELL,I CONTINUED TO GET MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED. WELL, JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO OR LESS THAN 23 MONTHS(LESS THAN 2 YEARS) LATER, I EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER RADIATOR LEAK! I HARDLY EVEN GO ANY WHERE! THE NEW RADIATOR WAS YET AGAIN ANOTHER FORD RADIATOR! I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ON SIDE THE ROAD OR HAD SOME SORT OF EXPLOSION! I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THESE RADIATORS AND I BELIEVE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS ISSUING OUT FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WE, THE CONSUMER, OR SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES DUE TO THEIR NEED TO STAY AFLOAT. AFTERALL, THEY TOO NEEDED A BAILOUT AND WHAT AGREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY IF RADIATORS OR BUILTTO LAST ONLY A SHORT TIME,AND PEOPLE GO TO KEEP PAYING FOR NEW ONES! PLEASE CHECK ON THIS. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED!!!!!!!! P.S. WHILE WRITING THIS LETTER, JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THAT A TECHNICAL ALERT HAS BEEN PUT OUT ON 2006 FORD EXPLORER RADIATORS, AND BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINT ...THE MODEL IS NOT BEING MADE ANYMORE! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310454

83,000 miles · Dec 31, 2009
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING A TIRE BLEW-OUT. WHEN CHANGING THE TIRE, THE JACK FAILED. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SELL HIM ANOTHER JACK. HE WAS THEN ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR HIS MODEL TYPE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83137.

NHTSA ODI #10297684

48,000 miles · Apr 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE THE FIRST YEAR. HAD A SECOND RADIATOR FAILURE 36,000 MILES LATER IN THE SAME SPOT ON THE SAME STYLE RADIATOR. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS ON ONE OF THE FORD CHAT BOARDS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF US WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM 2006. DEALER ADMITTED THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS …

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HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE THE FIRST YEAR. HAD A SECOND RADIATOR FAILURE 36,000 MILES LATER IN THE SAME SPOT ON THE SAME STYLE RADIATOR. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS ON ONE OF THE FORD CHAT BOARDS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF US WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM 2006. DEALER ADMITTED THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT YET COVERED BY FORD AND THE RADIATORS WERE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER DUE TO HEAVY DEMAND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266084

56,000 miles · Aug 20, 2008
Equipment

AC PROBLEM- I BOUGHT MY 06 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER WITH A LITTLE OVER 5000 MILES. THE AC WAS MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE THEN. TOOK MY SUV BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, THEY STATED THEY RAN THE AC FOR 15-20 MINS. AND DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE. NOW ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SHOP WHERE MY SUV HAS BEEN FOR 3 WEEKS, MY AC (COM…

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AC PROBLEM- I BOUGHT MY 06 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER WITH A LITTLE OVER 5000 MILES. THE AC WAS MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE THEN. TOOK MY SUV BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, THEY STATED THEY RAN THE AC FOR 15-20 MINS. AND DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE. NOW ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SHOP WHERE MY SUV HAS BEEN FOR 3 WEEKS, MY AC (COMPRESSOR) COMPLETELY FELL APART. NOT ONLY THAT, THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I HARDLY EVER USE MY AC. IF I DID, I GUESS IT WOULD OF FELL APART SOONER. ANYHOW, MY SUV IS ONLY A 2006 AND AS I SAID I HARDLY EVER USE THE AC. NOT ONLY THAT, THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. WHICH MEANS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239075

50,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Equipment

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED HER HEAT ON IN THE VEHICLE IT WENT FROM HOT AIR TO COLD. SHE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN IT ON AND OFF HOPING TO RESET IT, BUT ONLY COLD AIR WOULD COME THROUGH THE VENTS. ONCE THE CAR WAS PARKED SHE NOTICED A LEAK FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE TOOK T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED HER HEAT ON IN THE VEHICLE IT WENT FROM HOT AIR TO COLD. SHE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN IT ON AND OFF HOPING TO RESET IT, BUT ONLY COLD AIR WOULD COME THROUGH THE VENTS. ONCE THE CAR WAS PARKED SHE NOTICED A LEAK FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A RADIATOR LEAK. SHE THEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM, THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND IF SHE REPAIRED IT AT ANY LOCAL MECHANIC IT WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER ADVISED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT IS PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229336

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2008
EquipmentPower TrainVisibility

WHEN THE CAR STOPS, STARTS OR DRIVES SLOW... IT JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM 1ST THROUGH 3RD, BOTH UP- AND DOWN SHIFTING. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO SLOW (FOR NO APPARENT REASON) WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY (GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES AN HOUR), I HAVE HAD MULLINAX FORD LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION 5 TIMES NOW, AND IT …

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WHEN THE CAR STOPS, STARTS OR DRIVES SLOW... IT JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM 1ST THROUGH 3RD, BOTH UP- AND DOWN SHIFTING. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO SLOW (FOR NO APPARENT REASON) WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY (GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES AN HOUR), I HAVE HAD MULLINAX FORD LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION 5 TIMES NOW, AND IT IS STILL THERE. CURRENTLY I AM INVOLVED IN A LEMON LAW CASE TRYING TO GET FORD TO BUY MY CAR BACK. THEY ARE STATING THAT THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND AT THE SAME TIME SAYING THAT IT IS DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT ON MY PART ???? I CAN ONLY SUGGEST THAT OTHERS TAKE THE SAME ROUTE - THE MORE THE BETTER TO GET THE ATTENTION OF FORD TO COMPLETELY FIX THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE HAD MY COMPASS WORKED ON (DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING OR JUST TWO LINES) , THE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED (WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 'P'), THE REAR WINDOW REPLACED (DUE TO WATER LEAK) AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM REPLACED AS THERE WAS SOMETHING BEND ???. I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN WORK HAS BEEN DONE ON THE CAR THE BREAKS WORKED DIFFERENTLY AFTERWARDS. IN MY OPINION THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226300

296 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTING WITH A LIFTER STUCK IN MOTOR AT 296 MILES, TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 15,700 MILES. BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE IT WAS NEW, OVERHEAD CONSOLE HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE, SATELLITE RADIO WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. DOOR RUBBED ON RUNNING BOARD, NOW GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED UNDER 10 MILES PER GALLON. 14 TRIP…

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HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTING WITH A LIFTER STUCK IN MOTOR AT 296 MILES, TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 15,700 MILES. BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE IT WAS NEW, OVERHEAD CONSOLE HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE, SATELLITE RADIO WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. DOOR RUBBED ON RUNNING BOARD, NOW GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED UNDER 10 MILES PER GALLON. 14 TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SO FAR AND STILL NOT ALL IS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213279

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH FREQUENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTING INCONSISTENCIES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ERRATIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM OF THE DEFEC…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH FREQUENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTING INCONSISTENCIES WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ERRATIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM OF THE DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP THEN IN TURN HAD THE CONSUMER COME IN ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE SITUATION INVESTIGATED AND WOULD LIKE FOR THE DEALER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THE VALUE IN WHICH IT WAS SOLD. THE DEALER STATED THE SPEAKERS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE DISTORTED, TOP COVER OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS LOOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201545

Official recalls

1

05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 9, 2005

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems