KnownCarProblems2006 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 630 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Explorer, most often about the transmission (47% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is 14th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2006 Ford Explorer problems
Transmission
296 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
Failure #1--gear shift selector very difficult to move from park; dealer said Ford redesigned, but not covered by them. Failure #2--leak in seam of radiator (between plastic & aluminum). Again, not covered by Ford or by extended warranty.
My 2006 Ford Explorer feels like its being rear ended. I didn't start feeling this until I drove off the dealership lot with my newly purchased vehicle. I've taken it back two times to dealership to be fixed .
Engine
221 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
I am currently having a problem with the vehicle the radiator is leaking, and I have to check the water level in the vehicle every two days to make sure that I do not completely run the vehicle hot and take the chances not having a vehicle by messing the motor up. This problem started just before I made my first…
I have had a slow leak in my Explorer for a week, we changed the over flow tank and then the leak became a more serious one. My dad looked at it and my radiator is leaking about two different places. It is going cost me about $300.00 to get a new or if it can be repaired the price of it. A owner of a shop has informed…
Electrical
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.
Ford special message #15773 my 2006 Explorer has twice tried to start itself, running the battery down so low that a vehicle charge was not sufficient. Ford dealer stated they were completely unaware of the problem, until I showed them the special message no. They still are not willing to fix the vehicle as noted in…
Driving on a highway I-95 in florida. The vehicle started to miss as we accelerated. We took the car into a Ford dealer service for plug replacement. This auto has a 4.6 litre v-8 engine. We were amazed to find that it will cost upwards of $1000.00 to replace 8 spark plugs. That cost esculates if any plugs are broken.…
Brakes
39 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional.
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…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. While attempting to release the emergency brake, it fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the emergency brake assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Speed control
28 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Most of the time, my 2006 Ford Explorer v8 will jerk forward very hard when stopping. This usually happens when I approach stops signs or stop lights. It feels like I've been rear-ended because of how hard the jolt is. This could cause me to strike another vehicle or crash into a wall if parking inside a structure.…
It would not shift in reverse till I turned it off and restart it took the reverse. After the incident the Explorer keep on giving me problems every time I'll shift it into reverse. I have to actually punch the gas so it could get the reverse gear. It has been many times that I had to quickly step on the brakes to…
Fuel system
27 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the while refueling, fuel began to leak from the vehicle. The contact was unable to refuel the vehicle as gasoline overflowed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the fuel sending unit, sensors and tubes. The failure was not corrected and…
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…
Other or unspecified
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 139,000 miles.
While driving on the highway a wrench light turned on on my dash. I then realized the gas pedal was not reving as usual I then pulled over and restarted the vehicle and it continued to work just fine or so I thought until it happened a day later. It happens every so often since then, but it is dangerous especially…
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…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, rear window wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, glass, side/rear.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wiper made a popping noise and disconnected from the motor which caused a loss of visibility. The dealer stated that the failure was normal. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would pass the information on. The vehicle…
Power window will not work on the rear driver side or the front passenger side of the vehicle. They first stopped, started again then stopped completely. Also, cannot be operated from the driver's door. Also, the cable on the liftgate window will fall every time the window is lifted.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Ford Explorer recalls
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (296 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); engine (221 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); electrical (39 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Explorer have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 9, 2005 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 14th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 630 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.