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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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65,000 miles · May 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

RADIATOR LEAKS BADLY, PLASTIC CRACKED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TOO HARD AND HESITATES GOING INTO REVERSE ENDING WITH A LOUD BANG INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400854

106,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PCM WIRE HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PCM WIRE HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399982

66,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUALLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND RATTLE THE GEAR SHIFT IN ORDER FOR IT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUALLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND RATTLE THE GEAR SHIFT IN ORDER FOR IT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 06/02/11 *BF WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALER TO GET THE RECALL FIXED, HE WAS INFORMED THE LETTER HAD EXPIRED AND THE RECALL DIDN'T APPLY TO HIS MODEL YEAR. UPDATED 08/05/11

NHTSA ODI #10395976

29,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power Train

MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM SHOPPING AND TRIED TO BACK INTO THE CARPORT AND THE SUV STARTED TO LUNGE AND JERK,SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 10 MINUTE LATER AND WE ARE WAITING FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THE DATE WE WENT TO THE DEALER WAS 4/12/11 AND TODAY IS 4/14/11. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395952

38,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Power TrainSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL DROPPING NOISE AND BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WOULD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL DROPPING NOISE AND BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK VIOLENTLY AS IF SOMEONE HAD CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE PASSENGER REARVIEW MIRROR WHEN THE SECOND ROW SEAT WAS UPRIGHT BECAUSE THE HEADREST WAS OBSTRUCTING HER VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386867

56,313 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Power Train

ABS LIGHT & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. TAKEN TO DEALER AND FOUND LEFT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND TONE RING HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY AT $100. DEDUCTABLE. AFTER HAVING BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS I KNOW THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN NORMAL VEHI…

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ABS LIGHT & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. TAKEN TO DEALER AND FOUND LEFT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND TONE RING HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY AT $100. DEDUCTABLE. AFTER HAVING BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS I KNOW THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION IN THE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386803

75,000 miles · Feb 12, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER AND WHEN YOUR AT A STAND STILL IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HIT U FROM THE BACK AND IT FAILS TO SWITCH GEARS WHEN ITS SUPPOSE TO AND NOT ONLY THAT WHEN U TRY TO GO IT JUST HUMS THEN FINALLY TAKES OFF AND I ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT A TREE....THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG....IM VERY UPSET! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381653

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2010
Power Train

FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION LUNGES, JERKS, WILL ONLY DRIVE IN 3RD GEAR, NO WARNING, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. OVER $2500 THEY SAY TO REPAIR IT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369696

40,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE APART THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE APART THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10368194

65,000 miles · Nov 21, 2010
Power Train

AT 65,000 MILES, MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO BUCK AND IT WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE MECHANIC WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE HAS BEEN 17 ADJUSTMENTS ON MY TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WENT OUT. I HAD TO PAY $2600. FOR A NEW REBUILT . TRANSMISSION!!! THE VEHICLE WAS…

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AT 65,000 MILES, MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO BUCK AND IT WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE MECHANIC WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE HAS BEEN 17 ADJUSTMENTS ON MY TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WENT OUT. I HAD TO PAY $2600. FOR A NEW REBUILT . TRANSMISSION!!! THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND I HAVE PROOF OF THE SERVICE HISTORY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 65,000 MILES! ALSO MY RADIATOR HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE BEEN HOLDING OUT ON REPLACING IT, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT'S ANOTHER POPULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367038

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