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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
128,000 miles · Jun 19, 2018
Unknown Or Other

2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) FAILS, BECOMES DEFECTIVE, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY POOR PERFORMANCE, ERRATIC RPM'S, LOOSE POWER, AND EVEN STALL. ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO THE ETB; CODES AND MECHANIC EXPERIENCE SU…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) FAILS, BECOMES DEFECTIVE, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY POOR PERFORMANCE, ERRATIC RPM'S, LOOSE POWER, AND EVEN STALL. ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO THE ETB; CODES AND MECHANIC EXPERIENCE SUGGEST REPLACING ETB, ONLY TO HAVE SAVE ISSUE ARISE AGAIN IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS, IF NOT WEEKS, OR EVEN DAYS, AFTER REPLACEMENT. OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE "WRENCH" ICON (LIMP HOME) TURNS ON, AND, OFTEN, HOWEVER, NOT ALWAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A RESTART OF VEHICLE, THE "WRENCH" ICON TURNS OFF, AND VEHICLE WILL DRIVE, HOWEVER, CONTINUES TO PERFORM POORLY. THE ABOVE OCCURS IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, AND TIMES OF DAY, OR YEAR, WITHOUT WARNING, NO MATTER THE DIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS ARE INCONSISTENT AND IRREGULAR. THE SYMPTOMS MAY OCCUR ON FIRST START IN DRIVEWAY, ON BUSY STREET, OR IDLING IN SCHOOL PICK-UP LINE. WHEN THE ETB IS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS MANUFACTURE INTENDED, DEMONSTRATING THE ISSUE IS WITH THE ETB, AS NUMEROUS MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED, FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO MANY NAME-BRAND AND LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS. THE REPLACED-ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES PERFORM WELL FOR INCONSISTENT TIME PERIODS NO MATTER OF THE MANUFACTURER. OEM ETB DO NOT SEEM TO LAST ANY LONGER THAN AFTER-MARKET ETB'S.

NHTSA ODI #11102542

214,000 miles · Jun 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other

SHIFT STUCK IN PARK AND KEYS STUCK IN IGNITION

NHTSA ODI #11101620

181,416 miles · May 5, 2018
Unknown Or Other

AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE, THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME IT'S BEING PARKED, MORE NOTICEABLE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. ALSO FREQUENTLY MISFIRES WHEN STARTING; DIAGNOSTICS USUALLY PRODUCE 8 - 13 CODES, NONE OF WHICH PRODUCE A COMPLETE FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11092026

110,000 miles · Apr 20, 2018
Seats

DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS LOOSE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO TRACK. SEAT FEELS LOOSE AND MOVES FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON ACCELERATION OR BRAKING. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HOW DISTRACTING THIS IS. THE AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT SEEMS TO BE GETTING GREATER AND GREATER.

NHTSA ODI #11089116

150,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11084010

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

135,000 miles · Sep 8, 2017
Power Train

MY EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT HARD SHIFTS THAT RATTLE THE ENTIRE CAR. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AS A FAMILY MEMBER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THEIR 2006 EXPLORER AND CYBER COMMUNITY IS FULL OF EXAMPLES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHILE EXCELERATING THROUGH INTERS…

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MY EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT HARD SHIFTS THAT RATTLE THE ENTIRE CAR. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AS A FAMILY MEMBER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THEIR 2006 EXPLORER AND CYBER COMMUNITY IS FULL OF EXAMPLES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHILE EXCELERATING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS AND SHIFTS HARD ENOUGH TO JOLT THE ENTIRE CAR WHILE SLOWING DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11022396

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD AND CAR NOT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11019803

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

ON MY 2006 EXPLORER I AM UNABLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH GASOLINE. IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BACKS UP THE FILL TUBE AND TURNS THE FUEL PUMP OFF. IT'S BEEN TO MANY MECHANICS WHO HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL TANK ITSELF. THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON FORD'S PART LONG AGO. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I …

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ON MY 2006 EXPLORER I AM UNABLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH GASOLINE. IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BACKS UP THE FILL TUBE AND TURNS THE FUEL PUMP OFF. IT'S BEEN TO MANY MECHANICS WHO HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL TANK ITSELF. THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON FORD'S PART LONG AGO. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I WILL BE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SENSING A FUEL VAPOR LEAK. ALSO I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FAR AND WIDE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BROUGHT THEIR VEHICLES SPECIFICALLY TO FORD DEALERSHIPS WHO HAVE CHARGED THEM MONEY TO REPLACE PARTS THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE WHAT SO EVER. PLEASE LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS PROBLEM. ON BEHALF OF MANY OTHERS AND MYSELF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

NHTSA ODI #11011392

195,000 miles · Jul 21, 2017
Unknown Or Other

POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. CAR ACTED AS IF IT WOULD STOP AND AS IF TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WE SLOWED CAR DOWN, AND MOVED IT AT A RATE OF 30 MPH, BUT THEN CAR BEGAN ACTING NORMALLY. WE STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. IT STARTED NORMALLY. THIS IS …

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POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. CAR ACTED AS IF IT WOULD STOP AND AS IF TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WE SLOWED CAR DOWN, AND MOVED IT AT A RATE OF 30 MPH, BUT THEN CAR BEGAN ACTING NORMALLY. WE STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TURNED CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. IT STARTED NORMALLY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT THIS IS THE WORSE INCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11006688

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