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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

Steering complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD AND CAR NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11019803

120,000 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH LIMITED WARRANTY, USED, BUT HAD WRITTEN COLD START ISSUE. THE VEHICLE GETS WARM IF WARM OUTSIDE AND WILL JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME. RIDING DOWN INTERSTATE, WILL LOSE POWER THEN SHUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING TO CONTROL VEHICLE GOING HIGH SPEEDS, WILL SHUT OFF IN TOWN MULTIP…

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THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH LIMITED WARRANTY, USED, BUT HAD WRITTEN COLD START ISSUE. THE VEHICLE GETS WARM IF WARM OUTSIDE AND WILL JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME. RIDING DOWN INTERSTATE, WILL LOSE POWER THEN SHUT OFF AND LEAVE YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING TO CONTROL VEHICLE GOING HIGH SPEEDS, WILL SHUT OFF IN TOWN MULTIPLE TIMES UPWARD OF A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1ST SHOP SENT TO SAID COULDN'T FIND ISSUE SECOND THEY SENT ME TOO SAID COMPUTER NEEDED REPLACING. EITHER WAY I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT WITHOUT IT BEING DONE HAD U KNOWN, MY FIANCE IS SMALL AND NO WAY SHE COULD HANDLE THE VEHICLE IF SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF NOT REPAIRED AND LOOKED INTO MORE CLOSELY.

NHTSA ODI #11003275

105,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
Steering

WHILE PARKED, LOOKING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, I OBSERVED A METAL PART HANGING DOWN ON FRONT RIGHT UNDERSIDE NEXT TO INSIDE OF TIRE. AN ASE MECHANIC FRIEND SAW IT & KNEW THAT IT WAS A CORRODED STEERING STABILIZER LINK (LONG BOLT W/ GROMMETS). HE REACHED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND EASILY PULLED IT DOWN. HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM…

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WHILE PARKED, LOOKING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, I OBSERVED A METAL PART HANGING DOWN ON FRONT RIGHT UNDERSIDE NEXT TO INSIDE OF TIRE. AN ASE MECHANIC FRIEND SAW IT & KNEW THAT IT WAS A CORRODED STEERING STABILIZER LINK (LONG BOLT W/ GROMMETS). HE REACHED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND EASILY PULLED IT DOWN. HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY TYPES OF VEHICLES AND REPLACEMENT PART OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DESIGN IS $10-20 & EASILY INSTALLED. I CALLED METRO FORD MADISON, WI WHO ADVISED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PART AND WOULD COST $200 TO INSTALL A NEW ONE PLUS REPLACE THE OTHER SIDE BUT NO WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS NEEDED. I DECIDED TO BUY 2 NEW LINKS (MOOG BRAND) THAT ARE A HEAVIER DESIGN AND MY SON & I INSTALLED THEM. THERE IS NOW MUCH LESS BODY ROLL ESPECIALLY NOTICE WHEN IN ROUND-A-BOUTS WHERE PREVIOUSLY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMAIN IN ONLY ONE OF THE 2 CIRCULAR LANES.

NHTSA ODI #10731400

88,000 miles · Jul 4, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

WE BOUGHT THIS USED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE VERY NEXT DAY I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFTEN. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, THE STEERING D…

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WE BOUGHT THIS USED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THE VERY NEXT DAY I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFTEN. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, THE STEERING DIDN'T WORK, THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN, I HAD A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. I PUT ON THE HAZARDS AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO A THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CALLED THE TURNING LANE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND HAVE ONLY BEEN TOLD "WE ARE SORRY". I TRIED CALLING A LEMON LAW LAWYER BUT WAS TOLD, SORRY, IF THE TRUCK WAS A 2007 THEN I WOULD HAVE A CASE. SO, NOW WHAT DO I DO? I HAVE A 10,000 CAR LOAN FOR A VEHICLE THAT I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608239

106,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO MY PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED ROARING, IT LUNGED, HIT A PARKING CURB AND THEN THRUST INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND ENGINE DIED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED! I RECEIVED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICAL…

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I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO MY PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED ROARING, IT LUNGED, HIT A PARKING CURB AND THEN THRUST INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND ENGINE DIED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED! I RECEIVED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICALS ON BOTH OF MY HANDS. I'M STILL SHAKEN UP ABOUT IT. NECK IS SORE AND LOWER BACK HURTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596027

35,000 miles · Sep 20, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, THE COMPONENT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, THE COMPONENT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 11/30/13*CN

NHTSA ODI #10544548

97,500 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

ENGINE STALLS. WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, HOT OR COLD, SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ON THE STREET ROADS AND FREEWAYS. STARTS AND GO AGAIN AFTER 5/10 MINUTES BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I PAID SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND PARTS ALREADY AND YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MID…

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ENGINE STALLS. WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, HOT OR COLD, SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ON THE STREET ROADS AND FREEWAYS. STARTS AND GO AGAIN AFTER 5/10 MINUTES BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I PAID SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND PARTS ALREADY AND YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. DATE: NOV 1, 2011, TIME:1550, AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN SHE'S NOT HAPPY, NOBODY'S HAPPY....SHE ALMOST GOT RAN OVER AS SHE OPEN HER DOOR, SHE COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE BUT WAIT FOR TIME TO EITHER COOL OFF OR RESET ON THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433968

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2007
Steering

I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER HYBRID LAST YEAR AND IT HAS ABOUT 2,000 MILES ON IT. ANYWAYS, I WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY TO WORK AND I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE MOVING TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE, AND AS I WAS DOING SO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED LIKE IT DID IT WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES JUST BEFORE I HEADED STRAIGHT INTO …

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I BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER HYBRID LAST YEAR AND IT HAS ABOUT 2,000 MILES ON IT. ANYWAYS, I WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY TO WORK AND I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE MOVING TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE, AND AS I WAS DOING SO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED LIKE IT DID IT WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES JUST BEFORE I HEADED STRAIGHT INTO THE LOCAL CVS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY PERFORMED THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC, BUT NOTHING CAME UP. I KNEW STEERING WHEELS WERE SUPPOSED TO LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING, SO BEFORE ANYONE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS, I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10191776

900 miles · Dec 19, 2005
Steering

MY FORD EXPLORER XLT 2006 HAD A DELAYED DELIVERY DATE TO ME FOR 2 DAYS DUE TO A "BAD CLUSTER" ON START UP. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED AND I PICKED IT UP ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005. THIS VEHICLE IS LEASED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH I HAD REPAIRED ON DECEMBER 8, 2005. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH …

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MY FORD EXPLORER XLT 2006 HAD A DELAYED DELIVERY DATE TO ME FOR 2 DAYS DUE TO A "BAD CLUSTER" ON START UP. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED AND I PICKED IT UP ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005. THIS VEHICLE IS LEASED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH I HAD REPAIRED ON DECEMBER 8, 2005. ON DECEMBER 9, 2005 WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK I PULLED OUT OF A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO FEEL VERY TIGHT AND IT WAS GRINDING WHEN STEERING SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE CENTER AND THEN IT WOULD FREE UP AGAIN MAKING THE TRUCK EASY TO OVERSTEER. AS I DROVE THE TIGHTNESS WOULD GO AWAY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN AND THEN IT WOULD GET TIGHT AGAIN. ALSO THE GRINDING ON TURNS EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT REMAINED. I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE AND CALLED MY PURCHASING DEALER BURNS FORD 359 WEST JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743. THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND CALL FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I DID AND THEY TOWED THE TRUCK TO BURNS FORD. THEY CALLED ME LATER IN THE DAY TO TELL ME THAT FORD ADVISED THEM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK AND PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2006. THE FOLLOWING IS THE NOTICE: 18962 2006 EXPLORER 4DR /MERCURY MOUNTAINEER-INTERMEDIATE (1) SHAFT POP/CLUNK NOISE. SOME 2006 EXPLORER 4DR AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CREAK/POP HEARD AND FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, USUALLY NOTICED AT STATIONARY OF LOW-SPEED TURNS WHILE ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. IF DIAGNOSIS FINDS THAT THIS MAY BE DUE TO INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAVING STICK-SLIP CONDITION, DO NOT REPLACE THE 1 SHAFT AT THIS TIME. THIS IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY ENGINEERING. A REVISED COMPONENT IS DUE FIRST QUARTER 2006. MONITOR OASIS FOR UPDATES. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/1/2005. RIGHT NOW MY TRUCK IS STILL AT THE DEALER. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT AND I NEED TO RENT A CAR. PLEASE ADVISE THANK YOU, LAURA MASIAKOS. *NM *AK

NHTSA ODI #10145610

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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