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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

What owners actually said

630 reports
105,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Power Train

SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR SO HAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE I JUST GOT REAR ENDED WITH A BIG BANG. THE DATE ABOVE WAS THE FIRST TIME AND EVER SINCE IT KEEPS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617418

100,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615129

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2014
EnginePower Train

I BOUGHT MY FIRST FORD EXPLORER ALMOST 8 YEARS AGO. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FELT VERY SAFE DRIVING MY NEWBORN SON. I HAD A SECOND SON AND DECIDED TO BUY A NEW FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A DEPENDABLE CAR. NOW I AM REGRETTING THAT DECISION. I BOUGHT A 2006 FORD EXPLORER AT ROUND 60,000 MILES…

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I BOUGHT MY FIRST FORD EXPLORER ALMOST 8 YEARS AGO. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FELT VERY SAFE DRIVING MY NEWBORN SON. I HAD A SECOND SON AND DECIDED TO BUY A NEW FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A DEPENDABLE CAR. NOW I AM REGRETTING THAT DECISION. I BOUGHT A 2006 FORD EXPLORER AT ROUND 60,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 70,000 AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO GET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT JOLTS, LUNGES, AND SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE TRYING TO PULL OUT AT AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE THE CAR STARTS TO JOLT AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE GAS IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO GO.IT IS HORRIBLE AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING; ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. EVEN IF I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO OVERDRIVE TO STOP THE MAJORITY OF THE JOLTING, AND THAT DOES NOT EVEN GUARANTEE IT WILL STOP. MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY AND GONE A GREAT DEAL. HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HIS CHILDREN OR WIFE WHEN HE IS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS OR WHEN HE IS TRAINING AWAY FROM HOME. HE IS CURRENTLY AWAY FROM HOME FOR TRAINING, GETTING READY FOR DEPLOYMENT. HE IS CALLING EVERY CHANCE HE GETS TO MAKE SURE THE CAR HAS NOT BROKEN DOWN OR WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AND ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS VERY HORRIBLE VEHICLE. IF I HAD ENOUGH MONEY I WOULD BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TELL EVERYONE NOT TO EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. I THINK I AM MORE UPSET WITH THE FACT THAT MY HUSBAND IS POSSIBLE BEING SENT OVERSEAS IN OCTOBER, AND HE CANNOT EVEN GO TO WAR WITH THE KNOWLEDGE HIS FAMILY IS SAFE. I REALLY WISH SOMEONE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ALL OF THE FAMILIES WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611147

98,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Wheels

THE WHEELS ARE DISINTEGRATING AND EST SENSORY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO THE CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH TO FIND PROBLEM AND WAS VERY COSTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610401

100,600 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Power Train

THIS MY SECOND FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH BOTH. MY CURRENT EXPLORER A 2006 WILL NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE; I CANNOT BACK-UP. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY AS A PRECAUTION, FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH THE 1ST EXPLORER I PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP, (WHERE I HAVE PURCHASED 5 FORD VEHICLES IN THE LAST …

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THIS MY SECOND FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH BOTH. MY CURRENT EXPLORER A 2006 WILL NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE; I CANNOT BACK-UP. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY AS A PRECAUTION, FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH THE 1ST EXPLORER I PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP, (WHERE I HAVE PURCHASED 5 FORD VEHICLES IN THE LAST 12 YEARS) I WAS GETTING A 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW, AND FORD HAS DECLINED TO RECALL BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE ARE NO SAFETY ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS SEALED, YOU CAN'T EVEN CHECK IT. I AM 686 MILES OVER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND FORD WON'T DO THE RIGHT THING. GOODBYE FORD!! I'M PRETTY SURE THE ONLY SATISFACTION WILL BE FROM SPREADING MY STORY ALONG WITH THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609991

45,986 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

IT WOULD NOT SHIFT IN REVERSE TILL I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTART IT TOOK THE REVERSE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE EXPLORER KEEP ON GIVING ME PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I'LL SHIFT IT INTO REVERSE. I HAVE TO ACTUALLY PUNCH THE GAS SO IT COULD GET THE REVERSE GEAR. IT HAS BEEN MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING …

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IT WOULD NOT SHIFT IN REVERSE TILL I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTART IT TOOK THE REVERSE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE EXPLORER KEEP ON GIVING ME PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I'LL SHIFT IT INTO REVERSE. I HAVE TO ACTUALLY PUNCH THE GAS SO IT COULD GET THE REVERSE GEAR. IT HAS BEEN MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ON COMING TRAFFIC AS WELL AS PARKED CARS, AFTER HAVING TO PUNCH ON THE GAS SO I COULD GO IN REVERSE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608338

88,000 miles · Jul 4, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

WE BOUGHT THIS USED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE VERY NEXT DAY I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFTEN. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, THE STEERING D…

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WE BOUGHT THIS USED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE VERY NEXT DAY I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFTEN. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, THE STEERING DIDN'T WORK, THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN, I HAD A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I PUT ON THE HAZARDS AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO A THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CALLED THE TURNING LANE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND HAVE ONLY BEEN TOLD "WE ARE SORRY". I TRIED CALLING A LEMON LAW LAWYER BUT WAS TOLD, SORRY, IF THE TRUCK WAS A 2007 THEN I WOULD HAVE A CASE. SO, NOW WHAT DO I DO? I HAVE A 10,000 CAR LOAN FOR A VEHICLE THAT I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608239

114,810 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Power Train

WHILE IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT TIME N THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP IT BEGINS JERKING PRETTY BADLY. YOU CANNOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANYTHING DUE TO THERE BEING NO DIPSTICK OR PLACE TO ADD ANY FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IT MUST B DONE BY A LICENSED PROFES…

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WHILE IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT TIME N THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP IT BEGINS JERKING PRETTY BADLY. YOU CANNOT CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OR ANYTHING DUE TO THERE BEING NO DIPSTICK OR PLACE TO ADD ANY FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES IT MUST B DONE BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A "PROFESSIONAL" HE RESEARCHED THE COMPLAINT INFORMING ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING HE COULD DO WITH IT. HIS RESEARCH FOUND 11 PAGES OF OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL SOMEWHERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO GO BEING THAT MY MECHANIC CANNOT HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607713

64,863 miles · Jun 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING UP SMALL HILL-DRY CONDITIONS AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. ON COMING VEHICLE SWERVED AND AVOIDED COLLISION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR COMES ON. THE CAR ALSO JUMPS OUT WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND SOMETIMES IT IS VERY HARD TO SHIFT. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM! SAFETY RECALL IMPERATIVE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606630

97,570 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Air Bags

AT START UP IN COLD WEATHER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT GLOWED ON DASH AND STAYED ON UNTIL NEXT START UP WHEN ENGINE WAS WARM IT HAPPENED A LOT BUT IS FINE IN WARM WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605549

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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