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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
60,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED WITHIN A WEEK THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE REPLACING SEVERAL RADIATORS ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO A WEAK SPOT IN THE RADIATOR. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE WITHOUT YOU CONFIRMING IT FI…

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FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED WITHIN A WEEK THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE REPLACING SEVERAL RADIATORS ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO A WEAK SPOT IN THE RADIATOR. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE WITHOUT YOU CONFIRMING IT FIRST. GETTING STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN IS NOT PLEASANT, WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312740

69,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT WOULDN'T START DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COST $544.00. STILL HESITATES TO START (TURN KEY NOTHING... NO CLICKING TAKES A FEW ATTEMPTS) TOOK BACK DEALERSHIP SAYS STARTER IS BAD. NOW ABS+TRACTION LIGHT +WRENCH LIGHT ON. TAKING BACK TOMORROW. HOW CAN ALL THESE PROBLEMS SURFACE AT ONCE AND NO…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT WOULDN'T START DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COST $544.00. STILL HESITATES TO START (TURN KEY NOTHING... NO CLICKING TAKES A FEW ATTEMPTS) TOOK BACK DEALERSHIP SAYS STARTER IS BAD. NOW ABS+TRACTION LIGHT +WRENCH LIGHT ON. TAKING BACK TOMORROW. HOW CAN ALL THESE PROBLEMS SURFACE AT ONCE AND NOT BE RELATED???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312654

32,714 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Electrical System

2006 FORD EXPLORER DIES WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER, SIMPLY GOES DEAD ELECTRICALLY AND MECHANICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO FIGHT MANUAL STEERING AND BRAKING TO PULL OVER. TURNED KEY OFF AND BACK ON AND IT RESTARTED LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312403

53,000 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

BOUGHT 2006 EXPLORER NEW. AROUND 14,000 MILES ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED, HAVE TAKEN CAR IN TO FORD DEALER WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 7 TIMES FOR BASICALLY SAME PROBLEM ~ ENGINE LIGHT / CAR ENGINE LUNGING . MECHANICS DID DIFFERENT THINGS; REPLACED ONE DEFECTED PART WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, RESET COMPUTER, BUT PROBLEM ALWAYS CA…

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BOUGHT 2006 EXPLORER NEW. AROUND 14,000 MILES ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED, HAVE TAKEN CAR IN TO FORD DEALER WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 7 TIMES FOR BASICALLY SAME PROBLEM ~ ENGINE LIGHT / CAR ENGINE LUNGING . MECHANICS DID DIFFERENT THINGS; REPLACED ONE DEFECTED PART WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, RESET COMPUTER, BUT PROBLEM ALWAYS CAME BACK. SOMETIMES HAPPENING BEFORE I MADE IT HOME. SOME TIMES MONTHS LATER. NOW THEY THINK MAYBE IT COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312364

49,932 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD JUST LEFT THE GYM WHEN MY 2006 EXPLORER ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DURING ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AS IF I WERE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALL, I WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WERE STOPPING THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY WITHO…

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I HAD JUST LEFT THE GYM WHEN MY 2006 EXPLORER ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DURING ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AS IF I WERE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALL, I WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WERE STOPPING THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY WITHOUT MY INPUT. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED. I DECIDED TO PULL THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT AND WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR DECIDED TO STOP ITSELF, ALMOST GETTING ME REAR ENDED AGAIN. I HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE TUNE OF $423.78. THE ABS TONE RING HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO STOP THE CAR. I STILL HAVE THE OLD BROKEN TONE RING. I AM ALMOST NERVOUS DRIVING THE THING AT HIGHER SPEEDS FOR FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF IT BRAKES AGAIN. WOULD THE SUV ROLL OR CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SO VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310723

40,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I BELIEVE THE FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED! FIRST OF ALL, LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 47 COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIATOR LEAKS AND HAVING TO REPLACE RADIATORS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IT OVERHEATS...IT COULD LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ON SIDE THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN EXPLODE O…

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I BELIEVE THE FORD EXPLORER 2006 RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED! FIRST OF ALL, LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THERE ARE 47 COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIATOR LEAKS AND HAVING TO REPLACE RADIATORS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IT OVERHEATS...IT COULD LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED ON SIDE THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN EXPLODE OR CATCH ON FIRE! PLEASE LOOK AT CARCOMLAINTS.COM AND REVIEW THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD 2006 EXPLORER RADIATORS! MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THIS SAME RADIATOR REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE! OK, NOW TO ME...I BOUGHT A 2006 FORD EXPLORER IN JANUARY OF 2006. IN MARCH OF 2008, I WAS TOLD THAT MY RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A VEHICLE WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH GET SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECKS REGULARLY WITH A MECHANIC COULD HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY...I GOT IT REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IT WAS VERY COSTLY. WELL,I CONTINUED TO GET MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AS SCHEDULED. WELL, JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO OR LESS THAN 23 MONTHS(LESS THAN 2 YEARS) LATER, I EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER RADIATOR LEAK! I HARDLY EVEN GO ANY WHERE! THE NEW RADIATOR WAS YET AGAIN ANOTHER FORD RADIATOR! I COULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ON SIDE THE ROAD OR HAD SOME SORT OF EXPLOSION! I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THESE RADIATORS AND I BELIEVE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS ISSUING OUT FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WE, THE CONSUMER, OR SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES DUE TO THEIR NEED TO STAY AFLOAT. AFTERALL, THEY TOO NEEDED A BAILOUT AND WHAT AGREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY IF RADIATORS OR BUILTTO LAST ONLY A SHORT TIME,AND PEOPLE GO TO KEEP PAYING FOR NEW ONES! PLEASE CHECK ON THIS. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NEEDED!!!!!!!! P.S. WHILE WRITING THIS LETTER, JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THAT A TECHNICAL ALERT HAS BEEN PUT OUT ON 2006 FORD EXPLORER RADIATORS, AND BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINT ...THE MODEL IS NOT BEING MADE ANYMORE! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310454

51,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR HAS FAILED AT 51,000 MILE. FROM GOOGLE SEARCHES AND RESULTS AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2006/COOLING_SYSTEM/RADIATOR_LEAK.SHTML THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310452

23,519 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Power Train

WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL BANG INTO GEAR AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. ALSO HAVE HAD BUCKING AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN AND SLIPS. WAS TOLD THE BUCKING AND SLIPPING IS DUE TO A LEAN READING IN THE COMPUTER. TOLD TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THREE OF THE EIGH…

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WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL BANG INTO GEAR AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND. ALSO HAVE HAD BUCKING AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN AND SLIPS. WAS TOLD THE BUCKING AND SLIPPING IS DUE TO A LEAN READING IN THE COMPUTER. TOLD TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THREE OF THE EIGHT PLUGS BROKE OFF AS THEY WERE TRYING TO TAKE THEM OUT. THE SPARK PUG ARE MADE BY MOTORCRAFT WHICH IS FORD. THEY HAD TO BUY A KIT TO EXTRACT THEM AND IT COST AN ADDITIONAL $300.00 TO CHANGE EIGHT PLUGS WHICH I HAD ALREADY PURCHASED AT A COST OF $68.00. IT DIDN'T FIX THE ERRATIC SHIFTING AT FIRST. STILL SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND AND ACTED UP SHORTLY AFTER GETTING IT BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308578

56,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Power Train

SPARK PLUG SEPARATES AND REMAINS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THEM. THREE OF EIGHT WAS CHANGING SPARK PLUGS DUE TO THE COMPUTER MAKING THE TRANSMISSION BUCK AND SLIP WHEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308541

30,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Power Train

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER LUNGES FORWARD AS IF SOMETHING IS SKIPPING. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT SINCE 30K MILES AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE OR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY, SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ISSUE. SAID IT WOULD NOT BRAKE BUT WOULD JUST BE AN ANNOYANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308346

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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