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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

What owners actually said

630 reports
7,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING IN 2006 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NOT FAIL; HOWEVER, OVER TIME IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING IN 2006 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NOT FAIL; HOWEVER, OVER TIME IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND TO CONTACT NHTSA IN ORDER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10427142

44,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY OVERHEATS. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT EVERY FEW DAYS. IT FIRST STARTED DURING A DAY TRIP. PRIOR TO LEAVING I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND ALL MY FLUIDS WERE FILLED. AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAD TO GO TO A GAS STATION AND ADD MORE COOLANT IT WAS ONLY A THREE HOUR TRIP AND IT WAS COMPLE…

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THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY OVERHEATS. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT EVERY FEW DAYS. IT FIRST STARTED DURING A DAY TRIP. PRIOR TO LEAVING I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND ALL MY FLUIDS WERE FILLED. AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAD TO GO TO A GAS STATION AND ADD MORE COOLANT IT WAS ONLY A THREE HOUR TRIP AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION BECAME SHIFTING HARD. IT JERKS AND SEEMS TO MISS GEARS. AT THE TIME IT ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES. NOW I HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND MUST KEEP COOLANT IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM AFRAID THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DANGER BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR. I AM FINANCING THIS VEHICLE AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET A NEW ONE. THIS VEHICLE TODAY HAS 54,000 MILES AND IF BUILT CORRECTLY I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 100,000 WITHOUT ANY MAJOR REPAIRS. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND SHOW THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. THEIR SAYING SHOULD BE FORD FLIMSY NOT FORD TOUGH! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426507

100,400 miles · Aug 28, 2011
Power Train

NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. REGULAR VEHICLE USAGE. AFTER 4 OR 5 YEARS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN CLUNKING AND HESITATING TO SHIFT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS VIOLENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED BUT I AM COMPLAINING NOW BECAUSE SO MANY SIMILAR REPORT…

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NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. REGULAR VEHICLE USAGE. AFTER 4 OR 5 YEARS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN CLUNKING AND HESITATING TO SHIFT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS VIOLENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED BUT I AM COMPLAINING NOW BECAUSE SO MANY SIMILAR REPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN FILED ACROSS THE INTERNET. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10422335

64,500 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 2006 FORD EXPLORER SHUTS DOWN SEVERAL TIME AT DIFFERENT OCCASION SOMETIMES A LITTLE WRENCH APPEARS AND GAS PEDAL BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE ENGAGE AND VEHICLE IDLE VERY ROUGH WHEN COME TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS LOSS ACCELERATION WHILE RUNNING ON 6 LANES HIGHWAY AND REQUIRE TO BE PULL ALONG THE …

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WHILE DRIVING 2006 FORD EXPLORER SHUTS DOWN SEVERAL TIME AT DIFFERENT OCCASION SOMETIMES A LITTLE WRENCH APPEARS AND GAS PEDAL BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE ENGAGE AND VEHICLE IDLE VERY ROUGH WHEN COME TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS LOSS ACCELERATION WHILE RUNNING ON 6 LANES HIGHWAY AND REQUIRE TO BE PULL ALONG THE SIDE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART AGAIN, WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART RIGHT AWAY. WHEN I BRING IT FOR DIAGNOSTIC FORD DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO FAULT ARE STORE. IT HAPPEN AGAIN SUNDAY AUGUST 21 2011 WHILE I WAS DRIVEN FROM NJ TO NY ON I-80 AND THIS TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT TO AUTO-ZONE AND THEY READ CODES P2104 AND P2111. BY THE TIME I WENT TO THE DEALER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GONE THE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421211

69,810 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER AND I HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND REAR BEFORE VEHICLE REACHED 70, 000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION OIL AND DIFFERENTIAL UNTIL 100,000 MILES. FORD SHOULD GUARANTEE THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END UP TO 100,000 MILES, IT'S NT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421150

66,720 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS…

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THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN; IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ABS, BUT DON'T THE DRIVER IS SET UP FOR THE BIG FALL! FORD IS AWARE OF THIS CRACKING PROBLEM: WHY NO RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415114

78,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATING BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONSULTED WITH HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATING BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONSULTED WITH HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10414756

145,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power Train

2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT SPORT UTILITY 4X4 4.6L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR. AT STOPS IT HAS A TENDENCY TO SLAM DOWN SHIFT HARD. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS SO MUCH BETWEEN GEARS IT AFFECTS THE MILEAGE SO I GET REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE LESS THEN THE 13 LOW END OF THE 13/18 MPG SUGGESTED.…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT SPORT UTILITY 4X4 4.6L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR. AT STOPS IT HAS A TENDENCY TO SLAM DOWN SHIFT HARD. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS SO MUCH BETWEEN GEARS IT AFFECTS THE MILEAGE SO I GET REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE LESS THEN THE 13 LOW END OF THE 13/18 MPG SUGGESTED. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT $2,000.00 TO GET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE $8,000.00 ON THIS CAR. I AM JUST ABOUT READY TO SAY COME GET IT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413949

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2011
Electrical System

THE ISSUE BEING, DIGITAL ODOMETER FAILURE,AND FORD UNABLE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. NOW WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AS I AM UNABLE TO MONITOR MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE, HAVE NO IDEA WHEN TO CHANGE OIL, CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, AND UNABLE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPEC…

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THE ISSUE BEING, DIGITAL ODOMETER FAILURE,AND FORD UNABLE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. NOW WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AS I AM UNABLE TO MONITOR MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE, HAVE NO IDEA WHEN TO CHANGE OIL, CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, AND UNABLE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED, RENDERING MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE

NHTSA ODI #10414130

90,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE TO VERY HOT. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE TO VERY HOT. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10411869

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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