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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.

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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

Fuel System, Other complaints

1 reports
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60,460 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Fuel System, OtherPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

JUST RECENTLY NOTICED MY 06 FORD EXPLORER HAVING UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGES. WENT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS FIGHTING ME TO STOP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS HOWEVER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO MAINTAIN THAT SPEED LIKE I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I PURPOSELY DID NOT GIVE THE VEH…

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JUST RECENTLY NOTICED MY 06 FORD EXPLORER HAVING UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGES. WENT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS FIGHTING ME TO STOP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS HOWEVER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO MAINTAIN THAT SPEED LIKE I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I PURPOSELY DID NOT GIVE THE VEHICLE ANY GAS AND SAW THAT IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING. FINALLY AFTER BREAKING OUT I BEGAN TO BRAKE AND AGAIN FELT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. SINCE NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE VEHICLE DID IF I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS IN WHICH IT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I GAVE IT MORE GAS BUT THE ENGINE STILL WAS RUNNING. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I TRIED TO REV THE ENGINE BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON DURING THIS PROCESS. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN IN WHICH IT SEEMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AS I DROVE HOME IT DID FINE EXCEPT WHEN STOPPED AT THE SAME INTERSECTION IT DIED. I STARTED IT AGAIN AND HAD NO PROBLEMS AND I DID MAKE IT HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND MULTIPLE SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE AN 8 YEAR OLD SON AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THIS FIXED. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN MAKING A COMPLAINT? PLEASE HELP! I'M A HARD WORKING AMERICAN THAT LIKES TO BUY VEHICLES MADE IN THE USA HOWEVER WE AS A NATION NEED TO HELP OUT WITH THESE ISSUES SO WE ALL CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AMERICAN CAR PURCHASES. THANKS *DT

NHTSA ODI #10321486

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.

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