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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

164 reports
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94,000 miles · May 8, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND THIS WILL BE THIRD TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES AND AN ENGINE BLOCK SEAL. THESE ARE VERY COSTLY FIXES FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL OR SYMPATHET…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND THIS WILL BE THIRD TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES AND AN ENGINE BLOCK SEAL. THESE ARE VERY COSTLY FIXES FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL OR SYMPATHETIC AT ALL AND CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MEANWHILE, WHEN YOU SEARCH THE WEB IT IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD. I FEEL THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE AND SO ARE THEIR CARS. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD TO ANYONE, NOT EVEN MY WORST ENEMY. I COULD HAVE BOUGHT TWO CARS FOR THE MONEY I AM PUTTING INTO THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457745

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME MISFIRING SPARK PLUGS ON MY TRUCK. WE ARE PRICING THEM OUT AND ARE FINDING OUT THAT THEY ARE VERY HARD TO REPLACE AND THEY BREAK OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE! DEALERS DO NOT RECOMMEND REPLACING THEM YOURSELF AND IT COSTS $300 TO HAVE THEM DO IT, THEN $100 FOR EVERY SPARK PLUG THAT BREAKS DURING THAT PROCESS, P…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME MISFIRING SPARK PLUGS ON MY TRUCK. WE ARE PRICING THEM OUT AND ARE FINDING OUT THAT THEY ARE VERY HARD TO REPLACE AND THEY BREAK OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE! DEALERS DO NOT RECOMMEND REPLACING THEM YOURSELF AND IT COSTS $300 TO HAVE THEM DO IT, THEN $100 FOR EVERY SPARK PLUG THAT BREAKS DURING THAT PROCESS, PLUS THE $19 FOR EACH MOTORCRAFT BRAND PLUG! THIS COULD COST US UP TO $1500 JUST TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS?! THIS IS INSANITY!!! NOT ONLY DOES IT BUILD UP CARBON BUT IT IS ALSO A 2 PIECE PLUG AND IT BREAKS APART! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! PEOPLE ARE SPENDING A FORTUNE JUST TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS! ITS SICK! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456646

83,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEPARATION OF RADIATOR ... BETWEEN PLASTIC TOP AND BOTTOM TANKS WITH ALUMINUM RADIATOR GRILL. THIS IS THE 2ND REPLACEMENT WITH COST $520 RADIATOR, $300 LABOR ESTIMATED BY FORD. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILURE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLE. PROBLEM CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE/ANYTIME; I.E., WITHIN TRAFFIC SITUAT…

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SEPARATION OF RADIATOR ... BETWEEN PLASTIC TOP AND BOTTOM TANKS WITH ALUMINUM RADIATOR GRILL. THIS IS THE 2ND REPLACEMENT WITH COST $520 RADIATOR, $300 LABOR ESTIMATED BY FORD. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILURE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLE. PROBLEM CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE/ANYTIME; I.E., WITHIN TRAFFIC SITUATION ON MULTILANE INTERSTATE RUSH HOUR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455690

43,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEPARATION OF RADIATOR ... BETWEEN PLASTIC TOP AND BOTTOM TANKS WITH ALUMINUM RADIATOR GRILL. THIS WAS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WITH COST $460 RADIATOR, $308 LABOR ESTIMATED BY FORD. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILURE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLE. PROBLEM CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE/ANYTIME; I.E., WITHIN TRAFFIC SIT…

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SEPARATION OF RADIATOR ... BETWEEN PLASTIC TOP AND BOTTOM TANKS WITH ALUMINUM RADIATOR GRILL. THIS WAS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WITH COST $460 RADIATOR, $308 LABOR ESTIMATED BY FORD. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILURE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLE. PROBLEM CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE/ANYTIME; I.E., WITHIN TRAFFIC SITUATION ON MULTILANE INTERSTATE RUSH HOUR. (43000 MILES ON ODOMETER, FIRST TIME.) *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455688

45,551 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DROVE OVER A BUMP. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DROVE OVER A BUMP. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,551. UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #10454860

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

70,000 miles · Feb 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FLUID OVERFLOWING TO THE OVERFLOW TANK, OVERHEATING AND CYLINDER MISFIRE READINGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448571

130,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES AND GETTING READY TO DO IT AGAIN THE SECOND TIME THE TRUCK RAN HOT AND RUINED THE MOTOR. I THEN PUT ANOTHER MOTOR AND NEW RADIATOR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN 40000 MILES AND WITH NO WARNING AT ALL IT DONE IT AGAIN WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN POSTED ONLINE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN…

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I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES AND GETTING READY TO DO IT AGAIN THE SECOND TIME THE TRUCK RAN HOT AND RUINED THE MOTOR. I THEN PUT ANOTHER MOTOR AND NEW RADIATOR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN 40000 MILES AND WITH NO WARNING AT ALL IT DONE IT AGAIN WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN POSTED ONLINE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED TO EVERY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448370

73,000 miles · Jan 7, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS HARSH UPSHIFTS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 1ST TO 4TH GEAR, CREATING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, THEN JERK FORWARD A FEW INCHES UNANNOUNCED, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A WRECK OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE SAME WILL OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND VICE-VERSA. ALSO, SOMETIM…

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THE VEHICLE HAS HARSH UPSHIFTS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 1ST TO 4TH GEAR, CREATING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, THEN JERK FORWARD A FEW INCHES UNANNOUNCED, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A WRECK OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE SAME WILL OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND VICE-VERSA. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE RPM WILL INCREASE DRASTICALLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN SPEED. I'M AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE SPEED DECIDES TO INCREASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442778

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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