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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

Power Train complaints

296 reports
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21,000 miles · Feb 9, 2007
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, V8 6 SPEED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR A FIX ON THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD OR THERE IS A VERY LARGE SHIFT IN MOMENTUM THAT PUSHES THE CAR FORWARD WHILE STOPPING OR OCCASIONALLY AFTER STOPPED. THIS ACTUALLY PUSHED MY CAR FORWA…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, V8 6 SPEED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR A FIX ON THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD OR THERE IS A VERY LARGE SHIFT IN MOMENTUM THAT PUSHES THE CAR FORWARD WHILE STOPPING OR OCCASIONALLY AFTER STOPPED. THIS ACTUALLY PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO AN ICY INTERSECTION. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT HAS FAILED TO COME UP WITH A FIX. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM, AND THIS ONLY COMPOUNDS TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND VIBRATION I HAD ON MY LAST TWO (2003 AND 2004) EXPLORERS. I LOVE THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, BUT WILL LIKELY NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER EXPLORER....TOO MANY VIBRATIONS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182105

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
Power Train

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH THE NEW 6-GEAR 8 CYLINDER ENGINE. DURING DOWNSHIFT TO A STOP, THE TRUCK WOULD LITERALLY LURCH FORWARD AS THE ENGINE JERKED INTO THE PROPER GEAR. AFTER REPEATED VISITS (IN EXCESS OF 5) TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND REPLACEMENTS OF VALVES AND A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM IS…

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH THE NEW 6-GEAR 8 CYLINDER ENGINE. DURING DOWNSHIFT TO A STOP, THE TRUCK WOULD LITERALLY LURCH FORWARD AS THE ENGINE JERKED INTO THE PROPER GEAR. AFTER REPEATED VISITS (IN EXCESS OF 5) TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND REPLACEMENTS OF VALVES AND A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS EVIDENT, BUT CONTINUES NONETHELESS. NEW PROBLEMS HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED, SUCH AS "JERKING" MOVEMENTS ON TAKE OFF (AS IF I WERE PRESSING AND RELEASING THE GAS), DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ON TAKE OFF, AS WELL AS AN ENGINE "ROAR" ON ACCELERATION NOT TYPICAL OF AN ENGINE FAN ; NONE OF THESE ISSUES WERE CORRECTED WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT (ERNIE HAIRE FORD). I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM WHERE OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES; THE "COMPUTER" WAS SIMPLY REPROGRAMMED AND EXPECTED TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WITH NO FURTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE, SINCE AN ATTEMPT TO "LEMON LAW" THE VEHICLE WOULD RESULT IN "A LOT OF LAWYERS AND LITIGATION AND PAPERWORK," AS EXPRESSED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ERNIE HAIRE, AND WOULD "PROBABLY WIND UP BEING A WASTE OF MY TIME AND MONEY IF THE COMPANY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE DURING THE PROCESS". I DID NOT HAVE THESE MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY '97 EXPLORER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181933

3,000 miles · Feb 7, 2007
Power Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V-8 PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION 3-4 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP INTO GEAR AND WILL LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEARS AND WILL "CLUNK" INTO GEAR. LAST WEEK I WAS TAKING MY DAU…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V-8 PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION 3-4 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP INTO GEAR AND WILL LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEARS AND WILL "CLUNK" INTO GEAR. LAST WEEK I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND TO GIRL SCOUTS AND I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT IN ORDER TO GAIN SPEED. THE VEHICLE COMING IN MY DIRECTION HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING OUR VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE RE PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, REPLACED THE SOLENOID PACK, CLEANED THE VALVE BODY, AND HAVE CLEARED THE MEMORY IN THE PCM NUMEROUS TIMES. STILL NO FIX.... THE DELAYED AND HARSH SHIFTING IS DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT AS A RESULT OF IT HAPPENING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181927

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2007
Power Train

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH AN UNRESOLVED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FROM A LOW TO A HIGHER GEAR, AND EVEN MORE DELAY AND AGGRESSIVE SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IS SO PRONOUNCED THAT IT DELA…

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WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH AN UNRESOLVED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FROM A LOW TO A HIGHER GEAR, AND EVEN MORE DELAY AND AGGRESSIVE SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IS SO PRONOUNCED THAT IT DELAYS, THEN BANGS INTO REVERSE, AND SUDDENLY LUNGES BACKWARD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EVEN INJURY TO OTHERS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177837

6,557 miles · Dec 11, 2006
Power Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER. HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. TOOK THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE TO BE SURE HE FELT THE PROBLEM. HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING. THE CAR JUMPS INTO 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER CAR WAS BETTER FOR TWO DAYS THEN …

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2006 FORD EXPLORER. HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. TOOK THE MECHANIC FOR A RIDE TO BE SURE HE FELT THE PROBLEM. HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING. THE CAR JUMPS INTO 2ND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER CAR WAS BETTER FOR TWO DAYS THEN IT RESUMED ITS PROBLEM AGAIN. FORD DEALER HAD CAR FOR TWO WEEKS THIS TIME AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. PAID 40,000 + FOR THIS CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175829

900 miles · Nov 27, 2006
Power Train

OUR 2006 4.6, V8 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN FIVE TIME FOR REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION STARTING AT JUST OVER 900 MILE TO NOW WITH 2400 MILES. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THESE HAVE RANGED FROM DELAYED 1-2 AND OR 2-3 SHIFT, HIGH REV, DELAYED SHIFT WITH HARD DOWN SHIFT AND SEV…

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OUR 2006 4.6, V8 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN FIVE TIME FOR REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION STARTING AT JUST OVER 900 MILE TO NOW WITH 2400 MILES. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THESE HAVE RANGED FROM DELAYED 1-2 AND OR 2-3 SHIFT, HIGH REV, DELAYED SHIFT WITH HARD DOWN SHIFT AND SEVERE JERKING. THIS RESULTED IN THREE DAYS OF BACK PAIN. THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED THE VALVE ASSEMBLY AND THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174493

46,000 miles · Oct 15, 2006
Power Train

AT SHARP TURNS EITHER TO THE LEFT OF THE THE RIGHT, THE AUTO 4X4 ENAGAGES AND YOU FEEL A LARGE SHUTTER. I WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER(THEY REPROGRAMED THE 4X4 PERMITERS) 4 MONTHS LATER IF HAS CAME BACK. NOTHING HAS SEEMED TO FIX IT, MANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS LIKE MINE ON THE INTERNET

NHTSA ODI #10170873

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2006
Power Train

HARD DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR. NO NOISE BUT AFTER STOPPING TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO 1ST CAUSING SEVER JERKING AND IT WILL JUMP FORWARD. THERE IS A TSB BUT NO FIX FOR IT TERRIBLE FOR A 40000.00 VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170678

10,500 miles · Oct 4, 2006
Power Train

I FEEL MY 2006 4.6,V8, XLT EXPLORER IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. YOU TRY TO JUDGE DISTANCE TO PULL OUT ON A STREET AND WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT DOESN'T GO! IT HAS A PAUSE AND THEN GOES. THE DEALER HAS 'RECALIBRATED' THE COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE THREE TIMES NOW! THE …

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I FEEL MY 2006 4.6,V8, XLT EXPLORER IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. YOU TRY TO JUDGE DISTANCE TO PULL OUT ON A STREET AND WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT DOESN'T GO! IT HAS A PAUSE AND THEN GOES. THE DEALER HAS 'RECALIBRATED' THE COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE THREE TIMES NOW! THE DATE INCLUDED IS THE LAST TIME IT WAS DONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169955

11,200 miles · Sep 17, 2006
Power Train

THIS IS A NEW 2006 V8 6 SPEED FORD EXPLORER WHICH HAS HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON DEC 10, 2005. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER SHEEHY FORD OF GAITHERSBURG MD FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PAST FRIDAY AT AN INTERSECTION I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATO…

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THIS IS A NEW 2006 V8 6 SPEED FORD EXPLORER WHICH HAS HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON DEC 10, 2005. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER SHEEHY FORD OF GAITHERSBURG MD FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PAST FRIDAY AT AN INTERSECTION I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE SO I PRESSED HARDER AND IT WAS IF IT SKIPPED A GEAR AND THEN THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AT A HIGHER THEN NORMAL SPEED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168469

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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