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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

Power Train complaints

296 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 27, 2025
Lane DeparturePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR sylenoid valve I have been getting chec…

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Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR sylenoid valve I have been getting check engine light with the emissions code not passing inspection. At this point my registration is at hand and the mechanics that change the parts can’t seem to understand why the check engine light did not go off. However an additional code came on in regards to the heater. As per PEP Boys mechanic shop and Auto Zone the emissions keep failing and may need a new computer- however when a part is removed the computer is able to pick that up issuing out another code. Please assist Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11663104

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2023
Power Train

THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! THE REVERSE BAND BREAKS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION!! NO WARNING JUST WENT TO REVERSE AND NOTHING! UPON RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE!!

NHTSA ODI #11534558

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

135,000 miles · May 1, 2021
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THEY CAN FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE TO LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. YES THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IF YOU LOOK UP OLDER COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE ON OTHER REPORTING SITES THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF TRANSMISSIONS CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS…

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THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THEY CAN FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE TO LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. YES THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IF YOU LOOK UP OLDER COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE ON OTHER REPORTING SITES THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF TRANSMISSIONS CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. WHY HAS THIS NEVER BEEN DEALT WITH IN ANY MANNER? I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND GET IT TO THE SHOP. I PAID TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT DID IT AGAIN IN THE NEW TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT UP THE HILL NEAR MY HOME AND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11414743

166,000 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Power Train

I WAS TURNING FROM TURNING LANE INTO WAL-MART AND WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND LET ME PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS AND WAS LOOKING UP THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER 2002 - 2006. WHY ISN'T THER…

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I WAS TURNING FROM TURNING LANE INTO WAL-MART AND WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND LET ME PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS AND WAS LOOKING UP THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER 2002 - 2006. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI #11366820

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2019
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER. I NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND PAID AAMCO ALMOST $4,000. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE RE-BUILT AGAIN BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BACK IN MARCH 2019, I TOOK IT BACK TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AUGUST 2019, I WENT BAC…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER. I NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND PAID AAMCO ALMOST $4,000. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE RE-BUILT AGAIN BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BACK IN MARCH 2019, I TOOK IT BACK TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AUGUST 2019, I WENT BACK TO AAMCO AND THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID PACK IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. NOW, NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE SUV JERKS WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY BY THE MANUFACTURER, FORD! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS YEAR EXPLORER WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO SHELL OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK THEY MANUFACTURED WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS! SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11256530

165,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Power Train

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE AND YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AND SLIPS. I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11139859

175,800 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Power TrainVisibility/wiper

1. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SLUGGISH AND NOW FROZE UP. HASN'T WORKED FOR A LONG TIME. 2. REPLACED RADIATOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEN... 2018, SEPTEMBER,-- DISAPPEARING COOLANT FROM RADIATOR FOR LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO OBVIOUS LEAK. CAR OVER HEATED IN AUGUST…

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1. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SLUGGISH AND NOW FROZE UP. HASN'T WORKED FOR A LONG TIME. 2. REPLACED RADIATOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEN... 2018, SEPTEMBER,-- DISAPPEARING COOLANT FROM RADIATOR FOR LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO OBVIOUS LEAK. CAR OVER HEATED IN AUGUST BUT NO OBVIOUS LEAK. KEPT REFILLING... 3 DAYS AGO BOTTOM THERMOSTAT HOUSING SPRUNG A BIG LEAK AND CAR OVERHEATED MAJOR. REPLACED THERMOSTAT, AND FULL THERMOSTAT HOUSING. INTERNET RECOMMENDS UPDATING SOFTWARE BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING, BUT IS PRICED AT ABOUT $110 AT ALL DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ODI #11133499

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION BEEN SLIPPING ON 2ND OR 3RD GEAR I BELIEVE I NEVER TOWED OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS AT ALL IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASE IT AND IT'S BEEN GETTING WORST SINCE

NHTSA ODI #11129253

114,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #11060712

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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