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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

22 reports
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138,000 miles · Apr 29, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A WRENCH LIGHT TURNED ON ON MY DASH. I THEN REALIZED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT REVING AS USUAL I THEN PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUED TO WORK JUST FINE OR SO I THOUGHT UNTIL IT HAPPENED A DAY LATER. IT HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN SINCE THEN, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILD…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A WRENCH LIGHT TURNED ON ON MY DASH. I THEN REALIZED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT REVING AS USUAL I THEN PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUED TO WORK JUST FINE OR SO I THOUGHT UNTIL IT HAPPENED A DAY LATER. IT HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN SINCE THEN, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10981376

180,000 miles · Mar 16, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

HAVE A SEVERE GAS SMELL IN THE CAB HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOPS LOOK AT IT CANT FIND THE SOURCE HAD GAS LINES REPLACED, GAS FILTER AND SMOKED NOTHING THEY ARE STUMPED AND MY PEOPLE ARE GOOD WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE ######## ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FORD. HELP ITS MAKING ME HAVE HEADACHES N FEEL SICK AND IT SM…

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HAVE A SEVERE GAS SMELL IN THE CAB HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOPS LOOK AT IT CANT FIND THE SOURCE HAD GAS LINES REPLACED, GAS FILTER AND SMOKED NOTHING THEY ARE STUMPED AND MY PEOPLE ARE GOOD WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE ######## ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FORD. HELP ITS MAKING ME HAVE HEADACHES N FEEL SICK AND IT SMELLS SITTING AND DRIVING. ITS NON STOP N GETTING WORST.

NHTSA ODI #10966312

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION PROPELS FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE BRAKING. EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE IS APPLIED THE VEHICLES TO PROPELS FORWARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. WHEN TRYING GET TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT YOU HAVE TO TRY AND STOP WELL AHEAD THEN YOU NORMALLY WOULD TO TRY AND GET IT TO PROPEL BEFORE REACHING O…

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THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION PROPELS FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE BRAKING. EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE IS APPLIED THE VEHICLES TO PROPELS FORWARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. WHEN TRYING GET TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT YOU HAVE TO TRY AND STOP WELL AHEAD THEN YOU NORMALLY WOULD TO TRY AND GET IT TO PROPEL BEFORE REACHING OUT THE PEDESTRIAN WALK AREA. MY FEAR TRYING GE TO STOP COMING OFF A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP WITH A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OR TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY I. A RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH A CHILD RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET AFTER A BALL.

NHTSA ODI #10917416

106,000 miles · Jul 3, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WE RECENTLY BOUGHT OUR TRUCK IN MARCH 2016 AND SINCE ABOUT APRIL OF 2016 THE TRUCK CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS OFF, IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS..PRETTY MUCH ANY AND EVERY WHERE, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLING. ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT OFF 2/3 TIMES IN A 5-10 MINUTE…

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WE RECENTLY BOUGHT OUR TRUCK IN MARCH 2016 AND SINCE ABOUT APRIL OF 2016 THE TRUCK CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS OFF, IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS..PRETTY MUCH ANY AND EVERY WHERE, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLING. ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT OFF 2/3 TIMES IN A 5-10 MINUTE SPAN WILL DRIVING. IT HAS CUT OFF ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS WHILE I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS BOTH TIMES. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES POWER THEN SUDDENLY REGAINS POWER BACK AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE. THIS IS AN ALL ROUND DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I'VE CONTACTED FORD MYSELF AND SO FAR THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL AND ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI #10882338

16,200 miles · Jun 28, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

CHECK ENGINE LITE AND ORANGE WRENCH LITE WHICH SHUTS CAR DOWN NO EXCELRATION PEDAL POWER STEERING GONE AND NO BRAKE CONTROL ON FREEWAY COMING HOME. TRANS. WILL NOT SHIFT AND JUMPS WHEN WRENCH LITE IS ON VERY DANGEROUS THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE APRIL TOOK BACK TO DEALER SENT TO MECHANIC REPLACED 2 PARTS ON EXCELLER…

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CHECK ENGINE LITE AND ORANGE WRENCH LITE WHICH SHUTS CAR DOWN NO EXCELRATION PEDAL POWER STEERING GONE AND NO BRAKE CONTROL ON FREEWAY COMING HOME. TRANS. WILL NOT SHIFT AND JUMPS WHEN WRENCH LITE IS ON VERY DANGEROUS THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE APRIL TOOK BACK TO DEALER SENT TO MECHANIC REPLACED 2 PARTS ON EXCELLERATION MODULE. STILL NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10881352

190,149 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT A 2006 EXPLORER IN 2010 AND IN 5 YEARS I HAVE HAD A SENSOR THAT'S GOES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THEN TRANSMISSION REBUILTED, AND THE RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE. NOW THAT IT'S PAID OFF LEAKING COOLANT AGAIN MAKING IT RUN HOT. NOW IT SAYING CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND STOP ON ME ON THE FREEWAY AND NOW WON'T STAY S…

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I BOUGHT A 2006 EXPLORER IN 2010 AND IN 5 YEARS I HAVE HAD A SENSOR THAT'S GOES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THEN TRANSMISSION REBUILTED, AND THE RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE. NOW THAT IT'S PAID OFF LEAKING COOLANT AGAIN MAKING IT RUN HOT. NOW IT SAYING CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND STOP ON ME ON THE FREEWAY AND NOW WON'T STAY STARTED. THOUGHT I WAS DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE TRUCK BUT IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. ALSO THE WRENCH THING IS ON AND WON'T STAY STARTED EVEN WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR ALL AFTER I JUST HAD ANOTHER SENSOR REPLACED. AND BESIDES THE RADIATOR LEAKING AGAIN THAT PLASTIC THING THEY CALL A THERMOSTAT HOUSING MAY BE CRACKED. I FEEL I'M SPENDING MORE MONEY REPAIRING THINGS ON THIS TRUCK IN 5 YEARS THAT MOST PEOPLE SPEND ON A NEW CAR. IF I HAD SEEN ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS MODEL YEAR WAS HAVING WOULD HAVE WENT A DIFFERENT BRAND.

NHTSA ODI #10822613

158,000 miles · Jan 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR 2 TIMES AND GETTING READY TO REPLACE FOR THE 3RD TIME. THIS IS MY 1ST FORD VEHICLE AND IF THIS CONTINUES IT WILL BE MY LAST. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. A RECALL. FORD STAND BY YOUR VEHICLE. IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID AT …

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I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR 2 TIMES AND GETTING READY TO REPLACE FOR THE 3RD TIME. THIS IS MY 1ST FORD VEHICLE AND IF THIS CONTINUES IT WILL BE MY LAST. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. A RECALL. FORD STAND BY YOUR VEHICLE. IT LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THE RADIATOR AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IS REPLACE THE RADIATOR. ALL 3 TIMES IT LEAKS AT THE SAME PLACE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS NO STABILIZATION FOR THIS HOSE SO IN A SHORT TIME IT BREAKS AND STARTS THE LEAK. FIX YOUR PROBLEM FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10821823

162,813 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Unknown Or OtherFire

VEHICLE WENT TO SHOP TO FIX ABS LIGHT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING BEFORE SHOP OPENED UP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE (WHILE STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING) BURNING COMPLETELY. THE FIRE CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SHOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE ADJACENT BAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND CITED SI…

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VEHICLE WENT TO SHOP TO FIX ABS LIGHT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING BEFORE SHOP OPENED UP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE (WHILE STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING) BURNING COMPLETELY. THE FIRE CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SHOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE ADJACENT BAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND CITED SIMILAR INCIDENTS FOR FORD EXPLORERS.

NHTSA ODI #10808090

93,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN JERKING WHEN I AM GOING SLOW TO THE POINT AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A VERY STRONG JERKING SENSATION ENOUGH TO FRIGHTEN ANY REASONABLE INDIVIDUAL. IT ALSO HAS BEEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING WELL BELOW THE MI…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN JERKING WHEN I AM GOING SLOW TO THE POINT AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A VERY STRONG JERKING SENSATION ENOUGH TO FRIGHTEN ANY REASONABLE INDIVIDUAL. IT ALSO HAS BEEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL WHILE GOING WELL BELOW THE MINIMUM SPEED NECESSARY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE AUTO ACCELERATION WAS WHILE AT 10 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND I AM WORRIED IT COULD BE THE COMPUTER, THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENGINE, OR A CONTROL SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. MY PARENTS WERE FRIGHTENED WHEN IT HAPPENED. I AM WORRIED THE THING MAY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND HURT ANOTHER VEHICLE(S) OR ITS PASSENGERS. THERE HASN'T BE A FIRE OR CRASH YET BUT IT IS MY FEAR THAT WILL HAPPEN UNLESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS MEANINGFULLY ADDRESSED. I ALREADY HAD CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR OF ROCKVILLE MD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG FOLLOWING A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC. THE JERKING AND AUTO ACCELERATION ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ALSO, THERE ARE HEAVY VIRBATIONS OCCURING DURING THE IDLING PROCESS AND I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT THIS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SAFETY CONCERNS ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492988

80,100 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR. MY FIANCE' CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS GAS MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. MY CAR'S MILEAGE IS 80100. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE AT ONLY 5 YEARS. THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND DAMA…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR. MY FIANCE' CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS GAS MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. MY CAR'S MILEAGE IS 80100. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE AT ONLY 5 YEARS. THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND DAMAGES SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434223

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