2006 Ford Explorer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Explorer years
- Fewer complaints than other years 19th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 630 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Explorer. That ranks 19th out of 33 Explorer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (296 complaints, 47%), typically at around 60,460 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 630owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 13complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Ford Explorer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 296 | 47% | 60,460 | “rear ended” (9%) | $2,400 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 164 | 26% | 45,776 | “eddie bauer” (9%) | $1,200 |
| Engine problems | 58 | 9% | 81,850 | “eddie bauer” (9%) | $1,750 |
| Electrical System | 39 | 6% | 57,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 4% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 4% | 52,872 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 22 | 3% | 139,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 18 | 3% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 15 | 2% | 40,051 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 2% | 107,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 11 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 11 | 2% | 22,549 | — | — |
| Structure | 11 | 2% | 19,695 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 10 | 2% | 66,085 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 1% | 97,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 1% | 101,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 1% | 94,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 1% | 27,575 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 1% | 96,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 1% | 58,043 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 23,800 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 66,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 0% | 65,500 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 60,460 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0% | 65,450 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 175,800 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Ford Explorer recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then Iâve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the…
This transmission should be recalled!!!! The reverse band breaks and is a known issue for this transmission!! No warning just went to reverse and nothing! Upon research this has been a known issue since day one!!
Transmission
Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components…
Other Ford Explorer years
← 2005 Explorer · 2007 Explorer →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Explorer | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Explorer | 42 | 14 |
| 2025 Explorer | 103 | 20 |
| 2024 Explorer | 21 | 10 |
| 2023 Explorer | 110 | 15 |
| 2022 Explorer | 269 | 24 |
| 2021 Explorer | 442 | 26 |
| 2020 Explorer | 1,232 | 33 |
| 2019 Explorer | 299 | 6 |
| 2018 Explorer | 733 | 7 |
| 2017 Explorer | 1,699 | 13 |
| 2016 Explorer | 2,461 | 14 |
| 2015 Explorer | 1,806 | 8 |
| 2014 Explorer | 1,679 | 6 |
| 2013 Explorer | 2,236 | 11 |
| 2012 Explorer | 829 | 5 |
| 2011 Explorer | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2010 Explorer | 115 | 1 |
| 2009 Explorer | 33 | 0 |
| 2008 Explorer | 148 | 1 |
| 2007 Explorer | 208 | 1 |
| 2006 | 630 | 1 |
| 2005 Explorer | 497 | 0 |
| 2004 Explorer | 1,304 | 0 |
| 2003 Explorer | 1,131 | 2 |
| 2002 Explorer | 3,295 | 4 |
| 2001 Explorer | 375 | 6 |
| 2000 Explorer | 952 | 9 |
| 1999 Explorer | 1,348 | 9 |
| 1998 Explorer | 1,959 | 9 |
| 1997 Explorer | 1,731 | 7 |
| 1996 Explorer | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1995 Explorer | 843 | 5 |
See all Ford Explorer problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Explorer?
Owners most often report power train, engine and engine cooling, engine problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 296 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Ford Explorer?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Ford Explorer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Explorer model years, the 2006 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.