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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

164 reports
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40,005 miles · Jan 1, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT W/4.0 L HAD A COOLANT LEAK AND NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR. MILEAGE WAS 40,005. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED ON 11/16/2009. TWO YEARS LATER (1/1/12) THE RADIATOR IS AGAIN LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 54,435. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442001

68,000 miles · Dec 27, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR FAILURE. THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. SEE ODI NUMBER 10439878. REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE AND RADIATOR IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. (COSTING OVER $6000). PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441319

84,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AS IT PROCEEDED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RADIATOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AS IT PROCEEDED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLES WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439929

68,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS 2006 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER CAR STARTED MAKING ROARING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. TRIED BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THERMOSTAT GAUGE TEMPERATURE WENT TO HOT AND DISPLAYED RED AND A/C STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. THERMOSTAT THEN WENT FROM HOT TO COLD MULTIPLE TIMES. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS AND …

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THIS 2006 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER CAR STARTED MAKING ROARING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. TRIED BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THERMOSTAT GAUGE TEMPERATURE WENT TO HOT AND DISPLAYED RED AND A/C STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. THERMOSTAT THEN WENT FROM HOT TO COLD MULTIPLE TIMES. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS AND THEY WERE FINE. THE ENGINE AND CAR FINALLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND THE CAR THEN OVERHEATED. COOLANT BLEW OUT AT THE HOSE AT THE THERMOSTAT. TOWED THE CAR TO A NATIONWIDE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND PRESSURE TESTED COOLING SYSTEM BUT CAR WILL NO LONGER IDLE AND ENGINE NOW HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS. TOWED THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ($2200 OR MORE) AND OR ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($5600). THEY ARE GOING TO CHECK WITH FORD TO SEE IF THEY CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT (LESS THAN 15,000/YEAR) AND SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW THERMOSTAT AND ENGINE. THERE APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE WITH RADIATORS/THERMOSTAT ISSUES. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439878

36,000 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439814

140,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR FAIL CAUSED CAT DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436457

43,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR COOLANT. AND AS A RESULT, THE RADIATOR FAILED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RADIATOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR COOLANT. AND AS A RESULT, THE RADIATOR FAILED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RADIATOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436064

67,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE LEAKING WAS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE ALUMINUM, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE LEAKING WAS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE ALUMINUM, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SHE ALSO STATED THE WERE PLENTY OF WEBSITES DEVOTED TO THE EXACT RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/21/11...UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/11

NHTSA ODI #10434807

72,000 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE PURCHASED OUR 2006 EXPLORER USED WITH 61,000 IN SUMMER 2009. THE DEALERSHIP DID A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND REPLACED EVERYTHING WE FOUND AS DEFECTIVE OR AS A RECALLED ITEM. THE COOLANT SYSTEM WASN'T ONE OF THESE ISSUES. DROVE VEHICLE ALL SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL WITHOUT ISSUE. BY LATE FALL OF 2009 VEHICLE HAD ANTI-FREEZE LEAK, …

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WE PURCHASED OUR 2006 EXPLORER USED WITH 61,000 IN SUMMER 2009. THE DEALERSHIP DID A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND REPLACED EVERYTHING WE FOUND AS DEFECTIVE OR AS A RECALLED ITEM. THE COOLANT SYSTEM WASN'T ONE OF THESE ISSUES. DROVE VEHICLE ALL SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL WITHOUT ISSUE. BY LATE FALL OF 2009 VEHICLE HAD ANTI-FREEZE LEAK, JUST AFTER THE FIRST FROST IN NE. LOCAL AUTO SERVICE PROVIDOR REPLACED RADIATOR TWICE IN ONE MONTH WITH NAPA PARTS WITHOUT REMEDY AND THEN EVENTUALLY THEY HAD TO REPLACE WITH AN AUTHORIZED FORD RADIATOR TO GET IT NOT TO FAIL. ALSO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, ALL HOSES, PULLIES, AND FLUID TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES. STILL LEAKED BUT MINOR AND FINALLY WAS CORRECTED IN SPRING OF 2010. BY LATE FALL 2010, AGAIN AFTER THE FIRST FROST THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE AGAIN. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP THIS TIME WHERE THEY WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND UPPER INTAKE HOUSING THEY SAID WAS LEAKING. THEY ALSO FLUSHED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AGAIN AND ADDED WHAT THEY DEEMED WAS THE CORRECT ANTIFREEZE FOR THE VEHICLE ASSURING THAT THIS WOULD STOP THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE STILL LEAKED AND WE HAD TO PERIODICALLY TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS BUT BY SPRING OF 2011 THE LEAK AGAIN STOPPED. JUST BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP FALL 2011, AGAIN AFTER THE FIRST FROST. WAS TOLD THE NOW 2 YEAR OLD FORD RADIATOR WAS FAILING AT THE JOINTS BETWEEN ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC. THIS WAS THE SAME FAILURE AS ORIGINALLY NOTED IN FALL OF 2009. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2006 EXPLORER RADIATORS WITH OVER 50K MILES. ALONG WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IF THE ENGIN RUNS OUT OF COOLANT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434240

80,100 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR. MY FIANCE' CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS GAS MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. MY CAR'S MILEAGE IS 80100. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE AT ONLY 5 YEARS. THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND DAMA…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE STARTED COMING INTO THE CAR. MY FIANCE' CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW BOTTLE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS GAS MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. MY CAR'S MILEAGE IS 80100. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE AT ONLY 5 YEARS. THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND DAMAGES SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434223

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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