VehicleVerdict

2006 Ford Explorer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Ford Explorer sits mid-pack among Explorer years: 788 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 773, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 301 reports (38% of the total).

788

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Explorer years?

See all Explorer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Ford Explorer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission30138%
Engine22729%
Electrical System527%
Brakes415%
Speed Control284%
Other273%
Fuel System273%
Visibility & Wipers162%
Body & Structure111%
Seats111%
Tires & Wheels101%
Steering91%
Airbags81%
Seat Belts61%
Suspension51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Lighting30%
Driver Assistance10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

05V520000Visibility & WipersNovember 9, 2005 · 199,942 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CEL LIGHT CAME ON, CODE READ 02 SENSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED AND CEL LIGHT OFF NOW. TRANSMISSION JERKING HARD INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE AND HANGS UP BETWEEN GEARS, SUDDENLY LUNGING FORWARD. IN STOP AND START OR DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC, WITH LIGHTS EVERY BLOCK, IT WILL SOMETIMES LUNGE FORWARD AS I SLOW DOWN TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 16, 2014 · crash

RADIATOR FAILED CAR NEVER RAN HOT CAUSED ENGINE TO BLOW HEAD GASKETS. CAR WAS SERVICED 9 DAYS PRIOR AND RADIATOR WAS FULL. CAR STOPPED ON FREEWAY LATE AT NIGHT AND HAVE TO PAY 6,700.00 TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 21, 2007 · fire

WHILE DRIVING WE TURNED ON THE AC AND WE HERD A BIG POP. THEN THE PASSENGERS LEG GOT WARM. THEN WE FELT AROUND IT KEPT GETTING HOTTER. IT FOLLOWED THE DASH THEN SMOKE ROLLED OFF UNDER THE DASH. I THREW IT IN PARK WE JUMPED OUT THE FLAMES CONSUMED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ON A ROAD.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 7, 2016 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. IN MARCH OF 2006, THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT LEAST 8 OR MORE TIMES BETWEEN MARCH OF 2006 AND OCTOBER OF 2006. IN OCTOBER OF 2006, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. SHE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 5, 2006 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, HIS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HIT A MAILBOX AS A RESULT BUT THERE WERE NO DAMAGES OR INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES TOTAL WHEN HE WAS APPLYING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 15, 2010 · crash

2006 Ford Explorer — common questions

Is the 2006 Ford Explorer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Explorer: 788 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Explorer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (301 complaints), engine (227 complaints), electrical system (52 complaints).

Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Explorer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer years to avoid are 2002, 2016, 2013, 1998, 2015, 1997, 2014, 2017, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2020, 1994, 2011, 2003, 2000, 1993, 1995, 2018, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Explorer years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.