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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

Engine complaints

58 reports
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150,000 miles · Nov 5, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven 100 yards befor…

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The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven 100 yards before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11623728

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-…

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Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.

NHTSA ODI #11467756

159,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ON SPEED LIMIT I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, CAR ENGINE WENT DEAD. I TURNED KEY OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TURNED KEY ON, CAR STARTED AS NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE PRETTY NEW. DECIDED TO TAKE TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE E…

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DRIVING ON SPEED LIMIT I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, CAR ENGINE WENT DEAD. I TURNED KEY OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TURNED KEY ON, CAR STARTED AS NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE PRETTY NEW. DECIDED TO TAKE TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. REALLY? WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY? CERTAINLY I WOULDN'T BE ALIVE TO REPORT IT!

NHTSA ODI #11397509

36,300 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Engine

RADIATOR FLUID EXPLODED ALL OVER ENGINE AND FLOOR MASSIVE LEAK . SEARCHED IT UP ON INTERNET AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE . I STARTED VEHICLE AND FLUID STARTED GOING EVERYWHERE .I DROVE MAYBE 10 FEET AND SHUT THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY . *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327903

131,000 miles · Nov 22, 2019
EngineService BrakesWheels

I HAVE NOW HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, AND PERSONALLY I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES SECOND CHANCES, THE FIRST VEHICLE THE SELLER SOLD ME HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH GAS TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND EXPOSED WIRES RIGHT NEXT TO IT SO THAT TRUCK WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB, NOW I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH MORE ISSUES BUT AGAIN THE S…

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I HAVE NOW HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, AND PERSONALLY I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES SECOND CHANCES, THE FIRST VEHICLE THE SELLER SOLD ME HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH GAS TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND EXPOSED WIRES RIGHT NEXT TO IT SO THAT TRUCK WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB, NOW I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH MORE ISSUES BUT AGAIN THE SELLER MAKES ITS SEEM LIKE A PRETTY RELIABLE CAR AND LIES ABOUT THE ISSUES, COVERS UP THE STORIES AND THANK GOD MY BUDDY IS A MECHANIC AND I TAKE EVERYTHING I BUY TO HIM, WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE CAR, (AS MANY PEOPLE NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ANYTHING AS SOON AS THEY HEAR A WEIRD NOISE) I TOOK IT TO HIM AND HE RIDES WITH ME AND NOTICES SOME MAJOR ISSUES, I TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND THE BACK SUSPENSION WAS GOING OUT (GOT THAT REPLACED) THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING , LIKE NOT ONLY WAS LIED TO BUT NOW HAVING TO PAY 2000$ JUST TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING, NOT SUITABLE FOR ME NOR ANYONE, I FEEL BAD FOR WHOEVER THIS SELLER ALSO LIES TO. AND I AM FULLY AWARE THAT SOMEONE COULD GET THEIR LICENSE REVOKED FOR STUFF LIKE THIS, IF ANYONE WITH CLEAR EYES CAN SEE THIS SELLER SCREWS PEOPLE OVER. I TEXTED THE GUY ABOUT RETURNING THE VEHICLE AND JUST TO GET MY MONEY BACK BUT YET AGAIN NO ANSWER.

NHTSA ODI #11281755

150,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11084010

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD AND CAR NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11019803

85,000 miles · Jul 12, 2017
EnginePower Train

I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER , BOUGHT USED IN 2011/61000K. SINCE 2012 THE CAR STARTED SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND /OR ENGINE. WHEN DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD, THEN BACK, KEEPING SURGING UNTIL THE CAR REACHED A HIGHER SPEED OF 60. IF DRIVING ON A HILL, IT WILL LOO…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER , BOUGHT USED IN 2011/61000K. SINCE 2012 THE CAR STARTED SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND /OR ENGINE. WHEN DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD, THEN BACK, KEEPING SURGING UNTIL THE CAR REACHED A HIGHER SPEED OF 60. IF DRIVING ON A HILL, IT WILL LOOSE ITS SPEED. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR NOW IS 120000K, STILL SAME PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD THAT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMAS.

NHTSA ODI #11004696

120,000 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH LIMITED WARRANTY, USED, BUT HAD WRITTEN COLD START ISSUE. THE VEHICLE GETS WARM IF WARM OUTSIDE AND WILL JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME. RIDING DOWN INTERSTATE, WILL LOSE POWER THEN SHUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING TO CONTROL VEHICLE GOING HIGH SPEEDS, WILL SHUT OFF IN TOWN MULTIP…

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THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH LIMITED WARRANTY, USED, BUT HAD WRITTEN COLD START ISSUE. THE VEHICLE GETS WARM IF WARM OUTSIDE AND WILL JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME. RIDING DOWN INTERSTATE, WILL LOSE POWER THEN SHUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING TO CONTROL VEHICLE GOING HIGH SPEEDS, WILL SHUT OFF IN TOWN MULTIPLE TIMES UPWARD OF A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1ST SHOP SENT TO SAID COULDN'T FIND ISSUE SECOND THEY SENT ME TOO SAID COMPUTER NEEDED REPLACING. EITHER WAY I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT WITHOUT IT BEING DONE HAD U KNOWN, MY FIANCE IS SMALL AND NO WAY SHE COULD HANDLE THE VEHICLE IF SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF NOT REPAIRED AND LOOKED INTO MORE CLOSELY.

NHTSA ODI #11003275

37,500 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI STAR FORD (930 OLD US HWY 22, BLAIRSVILLE, PA 15717), BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI STAR FORD (930 OLD US HWY 22, BLAIRSVILLE, PA 15717), BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10993179

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