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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
56,785 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Power Train

HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A HESITATION IN 2008, AFTER SEVERAL TIMES AT THE SHOP THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 3RD GEAR. AT ONLY 56785 MILES THIS IS TERRIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454284

126,888 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS…

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THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. THEY CHARGE ABOUT 200.00 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454210

80,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Power Train

I HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESEARCH AND NOTICE THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING NUMEROUS ISSUES. HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, ROARS, SLIPS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ETC. THE MOST DISTURBING PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION JUST JUMPS INTO GEAR WITHOUT MOVING T…

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I HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESEARCH AND NOTICE THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING NUMEROUS ISSUES. HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, ROARS, SLIPS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ETC. THE MOST DISTURBING PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION JUST JUMPS INTO GEAR WITHOUT MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER LEVER. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AT RED LIGHTS AND THEN JUST JERKS FORWARD AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. PLEASE HELP BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454023

96,500 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Power TrainCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WITH THE ENGINE ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE, INJURING THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WITH THE ENGINE ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE, INJURING THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSISTING THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,934. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, SHE WAS KNOCKED ON THE GROUND BY THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE STREET BACKWARD AND HIT A TREE. UPDATED 07/31/12

NHTSA ODI #10453536

66,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERMOSTAT/RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING ENTIRE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ABOUT THE EXPLORER. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT ANY WARNING A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDEN…

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THERMOSTAT/RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING ENTIRE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ABOUT THE EXPLORER. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT ANY WARNING A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452441

68,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC IN THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC IN THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10452221

65,450 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TONE RING O…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TONE RING OR ABS RING WAS CRACKED. THIS MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE FUNCTIONAL BRAKES. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE ABS RING HAD A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER AND THE MATERIAL WAS MUCH THICKER THAN THE OLD RING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451517

44,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Power Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES STARTED TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER CHECKING OUT ALL THE FLUIDS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR (ANTIFREEZE) WAS WAY BELOW LEVEL. I HAD TO FILL UP THE RADIATOR WITH 1-1/2 GALLONS OF COOLANT. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER EVERY TIME FOR A OIL CHANGE…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES STARTED TO HESITATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER CHECKING OUT ALL THE FLUIDS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR (ANTIFREEZE) WAS WAY BELOW LEVEL. I HAD TO FILL UP THE RADIATOR WITH 1-1/2 GALLONS OF COOLANT. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER EVERY TIME FOR A OIL CHANGE AND WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THE COOLANT WAS BELOW LEVEL. AT 44,000 MILES, THE LEAK WAS SO BAD THAT THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. JUST AFTER A YEAR LATER ANOTHER FAILURE TO THE RADIATOR. HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR A SECOND TIME AT 65,250 MILES. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY CONCERN, IF THE RADIATOR FAILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451513

75,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT TO HEIGHT FOR 5 SECONDS THEN DROP BACK DOWN DISCOVERED LOW COOLANT. LEAK GOT WORSE. CRACKED RADIATOR DISCOVERED THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM REPLACED RADIATOR, NOW HAVING THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED. 6 WEEKS AFTER REPAIR TOOK TO FORD DUE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FORD SAID IT WAS IN QU…

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TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOOT TO HEIGHT FOR 5 SECONDS THEN DROP BACK DOWN DISCOVERED LOW COOLANT. LEAK GOT WORSE. CRACKED RADIATOR DISCOVERED THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM REPLACED RADIATOR, NOW HAVING THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED. 6 WEEKS AFTER REPAIR TOOK TO FORD DUE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FORD SAID IT WAS IN QUICK CONNECT BECAUSE I USED AN AFTER MARKET RADIATOR SAID ONLY WAY THEY COULD FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE RADIATOR AGAIN FOR $1300. COULD NOT REPLACED FITTINGS HAD TO GET IT ALL TOGETHER. ASKED THEM WHY I WOULD WANT A FORD RADIATOR SINCE THEY FAIL. THEY SAID YES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449452

122,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Power Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A LEMON. THOUSAND OF PROBLEMS ACROSS THE NATION. TAKE ONE TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANICS TELL YOU WHICH PROBLEM YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TELL THEM, ONE OF THREE. TRANSMISSION FAILURES, RADIATOR REPLACEMENT EVERY 30000 MILES AND BAD WHEEL BEARING CAUSING TIRES TO COME OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKY FOR ME ONLY TWO ENCO…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A LEMON. THOUSAND OF PROBLEMS ACROSS THE NATION. TAKE ONE TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANICS TELL YOU WHICH PROBLEM YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TELL THEM, ONE OF THREE. TRANSMISSION FAILURES, RADIATOR REPLACEMENT EVERY 30000 MILES AND BAD WHEEL BEARING CAUSING TIRES TO COME OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKY FOR ME ONLY TWO ENCOUNTERED SO FAR. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GETTING ON INTERSTATE AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC. AVERAGE COST FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS ARE 2500.00 TO 4000.00. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449147

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