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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

What owners actually said

630 reports
38,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE RADIATOR IN THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER LEAKS, AND A RECALL IS MANDATORY. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2007, USED, AND I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE RADIATOR FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 7 YEARS. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THIS RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND STILL THERE IS NO RESOLVE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS REGARDI…

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THE RADIATOR IN THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER LEAKS, AND A RECALL IS MANDATORY. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2007, USED, AND I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE RADIATOR FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 7 YEARS. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THIS RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND STILL THERE IS NO RESOLVE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RADIATOR FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525284

92,500 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Engine

I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND TURNING LEFT TO A SMALL STREET. I SAW AN ENGINE LIGHT SHOW ON, AND THEN THE ENGINE STOP. AT THAT POINT, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL, AND ALSO IT WAS SO DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD MENTION THIS PROBLEM AT THE FORD DEALER IN GREENFIELD, MA WHO FIXED MY ABS BREAK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. A PERSON…

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I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND TURNING LEFT TO A SMALL STREET. I SAW AN ENGINE LIGHT SHOW ON, AND THEN THE ENGINE STOP. AT THAT POINT, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL, AND ALSO IT WAS SO DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD MENTION THIS PROBLEM AT THE FORD DEALER IN GREENFIELD, MA WHO FIXED MY ABS BREAK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. A PERSON AT THE SERVICE RESPONDED, " THAT'S NORMAL. OUR COMPUTER DOES NOT SEE OTHER ISSUE BESIDE THE ABS." I SPEND $85 FOR DIAGNOSIS THE ABS BREAK PROBLEM AND SPEND ALMOST $500.00 TO FIX THE BREAK. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SMALL BODY SHOP IN MY AREA. THIS PERSON RAN THE COMPUTER THROUGH THE VEHICLE SYSTEM, AND THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOWN ANY PROBLEMS. THEN, I CALLED FORD CORPORATE AND TRIED TO GET SOME ADVICE FROM THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY SAID I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER TO GET OTHER OPINION. MEANING THAT I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $85.00 AGAIN, AND I STILL DO NOT KNOW I WILL GET AN ANSWER OR NOT. MY CONCERN, I DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525201

70,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AS GASOLINE OVERFLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, SENSORS AND TUBES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND LATER RECU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AS GASOLINE OVERFLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, SENSORS AND TUBES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND LATER RECURRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 8/19/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN TWO SEVERAL DEALERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/05/13

NHTSA ODI #10523936

88,250 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Power Train

ON THIS DATE, THE EXPLORER, WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO DRIVEWAY, WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WAS WEAK WHEN TRYING TO BACK, AS IF IT DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO GEAR. ALSO GEAR SHIFT WAS HARD AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN IT WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE CAUSE I HAVE NOT EVEN HA…

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ON THIS DATE, THE EXPLORER, WHILE TRYING TO BACK INTO DRIVEWAY, WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WAS WEAK WHEN TRYING TO BACK, AS IF IT DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO GEAR. ALSO GEAR SHIFT WAS HARD AND WOULD HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN IT WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE CAUSE I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. WELL I HAD THEM CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS PART OF THE DEAL AND THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE OCCURRING AFTER THAT. TAKING IT BACK TO BE CORRECTED. REALLY LIKE VEHICLE SO HOPE IT IS FIXABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523219

73,000 miles · Jul 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VEHICLE WAS JUST AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A WEEK IN MARCH FOR TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES, NEW RADIATOR, ETC. JUST FOUR MONTHS LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES THAT MANY OTHERS ARE WRITING ABOUT; HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE IS JUMPING/JOLTING FORWARD FROM A STOP, RPM FLUCTUATION WHILE IDLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523154

65,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Power Train

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ITS A HESITATION THEN A LOUD NOISE, AND A VIOLENT JERKING LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR, ALSO AT 40 MILES AND HOUR IT JERKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522960

90,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN DECELERATING AND SHIFTING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF A SMOOTH SHIFT, ITS A JOLTING BANG , SIMILAR TO BEING REAR ENDED . THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU PANIC BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT IS JOLTING!!!! I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE…

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VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN DECELERATING AND SHIFTING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, INSTEAD OF A SMOOTH SHIFT, ITS A JOLTING BANG , SIMILAR TO BEING REAR ENDED . THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU PANIC BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT IS JOLTING!!!! I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET IN THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WHICH CAUSES SHIFTING MALFUNCTIONS, BUT FORD WON'T OWN UP TO THE DEFECT AND INITIATE A REPAIR RECALL BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE, I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 5 OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE JOLTING BANG COMES FROM THE ENGINE ACCELERATING WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE TRANS DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL SEVERAL SECONDS LATER WHICH CAUSES A JOLTING DUE TO THE ENGINES HIGH RPMS AS YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL. THE SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANS WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVVING AT HIGH RPMS CAUSE A JOLTING BANG . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521529

54,720 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

THEE HAVE BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM DATING BACK TO 2009 FUEL SYSTEM SOLENOID AND VENT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES FOR THE EXACT SAME REPAIR AND THE SAME PARTS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW THE GAS TANK TO BE FILLED AT A NORMAL RATE. IT TAKES AS LONG AS 45 SECONDS SOMETIMES TO …

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THEE HAVE BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM DATING BACK TO 2009 FUEL SYSTEM SOLENOID AND VENT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES FOR THE EXACT SAME REPAIR AND THE SAME PARTS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW THE GAS TANK TO BE FILLED AT A NORMAL RATE. IT TAKES AS LONG AS 45 SECONDS SOMETIMES TO PUT ONE (1) GALLON OF GAS IN THE TANK. IT CAN TAKE WELL OVER 10 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE TRIED TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT FORD AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520478

13,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE PREVENTED HIM FROM SHIFTING INTO THE HIGHER GEARS. THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE ACCELERATION DECREASED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE; HOWEVER, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE PREVENTED HIM FROM SHIFTING INTO THE HIGHER GEARS. THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE ACCELERATION DECREASED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO FAILURE CODES PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10520130

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY EXCELERATES. I NOW KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING IGNITION. IT HAS HAS HAPPENED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2007 WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM OCALA LINCOLN MERCURY AS A FORD CERTIFIED VEHICLE. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 14…

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UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY EXCELERATES. I NOW KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING IGNITION. IT HAS HAS HAPPENED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2007 WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM OCALA LINCOLN MERCURY AS A FORD CERTIFIED VEHICLE. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 14,000. TODAY IT HAS ONLY 54,230 MOSTLY HIGHWAY. THAT IS LESS THAN 7000 MILES PER YEAR. ITR HAS REGULAR SERVICES AT MY LOCAL FOR DEALER. ALL OF MY REPAIR RECORDS ARE OBTAINABLE THROUGH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10515883

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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