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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
16,000 miles · Apr 10, 2010
Power Train

HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED V8. WHEN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC CAR LUNGES SOMETIMES LUNGING SO HARD FELT AS THOUGH I WAS REAR ENDED. BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 2008 HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES AND WAS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (ALTHOUGH DON'T THINK THE DEALER DID ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE). ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE HAD TO BRING IT I…

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HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED V8. WHEN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC CAR LUNGES SOMETIMES LUNGING SO HARD FELT AS THOUGH I WAS REAR ENDED. BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 2008 HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES AND WAS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (ALTHOUGH DON'T THINK THE DEALER DID ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE). ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE HAD TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. THE PERSON I CALLED SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE RECORD IN THE COMPUTER. ONLY WHEN I WENT IN AND LET THEM KNOW IT WAS CPO & OIL WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS DONE. THE SERVICE PERSON LEFT THE FRONT DESK FOR ABOUT 15 MIN AND CAME BACK ONLY TO FIND THE RECORDS IN THEIR SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LUNGING & JERKING AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USED TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE THAT KICKS IN AUTOMATICALLY. ONCE SPRING CAME HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM I WAS TOLD UNLESS IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF MY MONEY TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. AS OF TODAY'S DATE IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, WHY IS FORD NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MORE THAN ONCE I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND DO A RECALL. I AM SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324903

80,000 miles · Apr 10, 2010
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2010. WHEN PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES BACKWARD VERY VIOLENTLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP 4/10/2010 AND THERE ARE PIECES OF THE CLUTCHES SITTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE TRANSM…

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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2010. WHEN PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES BACKWARD VERY VIOLENTLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP 4/10/2010 AND THERE ARE PIECES OF THE CLUTCHES SITTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE TRANSMISSION NOW REQUIRES A COMPLETE REBUILD. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE HAD JUST GONE TO A FORD DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE SHIFT LEVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING SAID ABOUT THE LUNGING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324883

39,150 miles · Apr 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING AND SLOWLY BECAME WORSE. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE TO AVOID TOTAL FAILURE. TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS DUE TO SEAM FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324478

70,000 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD EXPLORER - RADIATOR FAILURE - VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THE RADIATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN APRIL 2009 THEY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING RADIATOR LEAKS OCCURRING IN CERTAIN 2006 EXPLORERS…

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2006 FORD EXPLORER - RADIATOR FAILURE - VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THE RADIATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN APRIL 2009 THEY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING RADIATOR LEAKS OCCURRING IN CERTAIN 2006 EXPLORERS MADE BEFORE 8/8/2006. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT IS NOT A "LEAK" IN THE RADIATOR BUT A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE PART. THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON THEIR FOURTH DESIGN OF RADIATORS FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS THIS, WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T NHTSA LAUNCHED AN INVESITGATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND WHY HASN'T THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY STEPPED UP AND ACKNOWLEGED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND DONE SOMETHING TO ASSIST THE OWNERS OF ALL VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE PUT ON THE RECALL LIST AND FMC BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY EITHER COME UP WITH A DEFINITE SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM OR BUY BACK ALL THE VEHICLES AND SEE THAT EVERYONE IS COMPENSATED FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR AND THAT THEY ARE FREED FROM ANY LOANS ON THE PROBLEM VEHICLES. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME IF FMC IDENTIFIED THERE COULD BE ISSUES EFFECTING VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE A CERTAIN POINT IN TIME, THEN IT CLEARLY HAS RECOGNIZED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. MY GUESS IS, THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A CERTAIN IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING IT OR IF THE TSB AND FOURTH REDESIGN OF THE RADIATOR WILL REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10321851

60,000 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10321775

60,460 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Fuel System, OtherPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

JUST RECENTLY NOTICED MY 06 FORD EXPLORER HAVING UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGES. WENT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS FIGHTING ME TO STOP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS HOWEVER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO MAINTAIN THAT SPEED LIKE I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I PURPOSELY DID NOT GIVE THE VEH…

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JUST RECENTLY NOTICED MY 06 FORD EXPLORER HAVING UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGES. WENT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS FIGHTING ME TO STOP. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS HOWEVER THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO MAINTAIN THAT SPEED LIKE I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I PURPOSELY DID NOT GIVE THE VEHICLE ANY GAS AND SAW THAT IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING. FINALLY AFTER BREAKING OUT I BEGAN TO BRAKE AND AGAIN FELT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. SINCE NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE VEHICLE DID IF I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS IN WHICH IT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I GAVE IT MORE GAS BUT THE ENGINE STILL WAS RUNNING. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I TRIED TO REV THE ENGINE BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON DURING THIS PROCESS. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN IN WHICH IT SEEMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AS I DROVE HOME IT DID FINE EXCEPT WHEN STOPPED AT THE SAME INTERSECTION IT DIED. I STARTED IT AGAIN AND HAD NO PROBLEMS AND I DID MAKE IT HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND MULTIPLE SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE AN 8 YEAR OLD SON AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THIS FIXED. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN MAKING A COMPLAINT? PLEASE HELP! I'M A HARD WORKING AMERICAN THAT LIKES TO BUY VEHICLES MADE IN THE USA HOWEVER WE AS A NATION NEED TO HELP OUT WITH THESE ISSUES SO WE ALL CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AMERICAN CAR PURCHASES. THANKS *DT

NHTSA ODI #10321486

35,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE WESTERN BERKS REGIONAL POLICE HAS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WHICH IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR FOR THE 5TH TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319634

38,213 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. IN JULY OF 2008 WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING AGAIN AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I S…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. IN JULY OF 2008 WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING AGAIN AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND IF THIS PROBLEM IS SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET MANY COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND. I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD ADDRESS. FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, IF THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILS COMPLETELY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE MOTOR STALLS OR FREEZES UP A CRASH COULD EASILY OCCUR FROM LOSS OF CONTROL. ENVIRONMENTALLY, I WOULDN'T THINK THE EPA WANTS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM HUNDREDS (THOUSANDS?) OF VEHICLES EVERY DAY? ENVIRONMENTALLY, ANTIFREEZE IS HIGHLY TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS, AND PUDDLES OF IT IN ON GARAGE FLOORS SHOULD MAKE FORD WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319266

62,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH 62,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING CALLED FORD DEALER FOR PARTS AND THE PRICE OF THE RADIATOR IS $500.00 ALL SO FOUND OUT THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONCERN AND THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF RADIATORS AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318847

48,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPEW GAS BACK OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE, AND THEN DRAIN BACK INTO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPEW GAS BACK OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE, AND THEN DRAIN BACK INTO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT FELT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RISK HIS SAFETY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10318839

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