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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
32,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

SECOND RADIATOR IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER, FIRST ONE WAS AT 32000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN OVER 100 COMPLAINTS BUT YET NO RECALL FROM FORD. THE FIRST WAS COVERED UNDER THE NEW WARRANTY. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE PURCHASED A NEW SERVICE WARRANTY WHEN THAT ONE EXPIRED, NOW AT 92,000 MILES THE RADIATOR COMPLETELY DRAINED CAUSING THE MOTOR HEAD…

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SECOND RADIATOR IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER, FIRST ONE WAS AT 32000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN OVER 100 COMPLAINTS BUT YET NO RECALL FROM FORD. THE FIRST WAS COVERED UNDER THE NEW WARRANTY. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE PURCHASED A NEW SERVICE WARRANTY WHEN THAT ONE EXPIRED, NOW AT 92,000 MILES THE RADIATOR COMPLETELY DRAINED CAUSING THE MOTOR HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER GETTING A NEW MOTOR AND RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345358

30,086 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. SHE PURCHASED FOUR TIRES THIRTEEN MONTHS AGO AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY FIFTY PERCENT WORN. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR MODEL#FORTERA-HL, SIZE 245/65R17. THE GOODYEAR MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AT A PRORATED PRICE AT A FIFTY PERCENT DISCOUNT. SHE PREVIOUSLY PAID $60…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. SHE PURCHASED FOUR TIRES THIRTEEN MONTHS AGO AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY FIFTY PERCENT WORN. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR MODEL#FORTERA-HL, SIZE 245/65R17. THE GOODYEAR MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AT A PRORATED PRICE AT A FIFTY PERCENT DISCOUNT. SHE PREVIOUSLY PAID $600 AND NOW HAD TO PAY ANOTHER $300 FOR THE TIRES. THE FAILURE WAS 30,086 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000. UPDATED 10/15/10 BF UPDATED 10/18/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10344184

40,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Power Train

2006 EXPLORER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR, HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN A PERIODIC PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342841

55,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Power Train

A TONE RING SENSOR IN MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER ABS/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. IT CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKES TO GO HAYWIRE. THEY BEGAN TO GRAB AND LOCK MY BRAKES WHEN I WAS MOVING CAUSING ERRATIC DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO STOP, MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS, ABS, AND SYSTEM LIGHTS ALL CAM…

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A TONE RING SENSOR IN MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER ABS/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. IT CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKES TO GO HAYWIRE. THEY BEGAN TO GRAB AND LOCK MY BRAKES WHEN I WAS MOVING CAUSING ERRATIC DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO STOP, MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS, ABS, AND SYSTEM LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342633

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIRD RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IN A YEAR. FIRST ONE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THE OTHERS HAVE ONLY LAST A COUPLE MONTHS. WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY FOR REPLACEMENTS AND NOW IT IS NOT. AFTER SEEING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IT IS ABOUT TIME FORD TAKES THIS ISSUE AND DOES SOMETHING TO FIX IT. AND FIX IT…

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THIRD RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IN A YEAR. FIRST ONE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THE OTHERS HAVE ONLY LAST A COUPLE MONTHS. WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY FOR REPLACEMENTS AND NOW IT IS NOT. AFTER SEEING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IT IS ABOUT TIME FORD TAKES THIS ISSUE AND DOES SOMETHING TO FIX IT. AND FIX IT RIGHT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341501

40,000 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. AT 40000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND HAD MY FIRST RADIATOR REPLACED. I NOW HAVE 67000 MILES AND JUST HAD MY 3RD RADIATOR PUT IN. I AM NOT GOING THROUGH FORD AS THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THEIR WORK ON THE FIRST ONE THEY REPLACED…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. AT 40000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND HAD MY FIRST RADIATOR REPLACED. I NOW HAVE 67000 MILES AND JUST HAD MY 3RD RADIATOR PUT IN. I AM NOT GOING THROUGH FORD AS THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THEIR WORK ON THE FIRST ONE THEY REPLACED. CLEARLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATORS IN THIS CAR AND IT IS UNFAIR TO ALL OF US WHO PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341122

54,172 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STAYS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER HAVING THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE ON WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK YET AGAIN. NOW NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH THE SHIFTER TO GET IT INTO GEAR, IT NOW LUNGES VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER CUSTOMER SATI…

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VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STAYS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER HAVING THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE ON WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK YET AGAIN. NOW NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH THE SHIFTER TO GET IT INTO GEAR, IT NOW LUNGES VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM #09B11 SAYING OUR VIN WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340837

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2010
Seat Belts

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT FOR THE AMOUNT OF SEATS. AFTER PURCHASED REALIZED ONE SEAT BUCKLE WAS BROKEN AND JUST TODAY ANOTHER BROKE. I BUCKLED MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT, GOT ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS UNBUCKLED. TRIED TO REBUCKLE IT AND THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT HOLD. TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339165

53,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH APPROX. 53K MILES HAS A RADIATOR LEAK AS REPORTED BY THE FORD DEALER. NO WARRANTY OR RECALL. HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR PRICE TAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339069

40,000 miles · Jun 17, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAULTY RADIATOR IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 2WD 4-DOOR. RADIATOR LEAK AT 40K MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE ENGINE REVVING UP AFTER FEW MINUTES OF DRIVE UPON ACCELERATION. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAYS LEAKY RADIATOR MAY BE CAUSING ENGINE TO HEAT UP AND THE ABNORMAL TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. I SEE MANY REPORTS ON INTERNET WITH M…

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FAULTY RADIATOR IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 2WD 4-DOOR. RADIATOR LEAK AT 40K MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE ENGINE REVVING UP AFTER FEW MINUTES OF DRIVE UPON ACCELERATION. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAYS LEAKY RADIATOR MAY BE CAUSING ENGINE TO HEAT UP AND THE ABNORMAL TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. I SEE MANY REPORTS ON INTERNET WITH MULTIPLE RADIATOR LEAK PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR MODEL AND IN SOME CASES UPTO 5 RADIATOR REPLACEMENTS UNDER 50K. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A RECALL FROM FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336876

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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