2006 FORD EXPLORER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Explorer. This model year has 635 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
Before you buy — check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2006 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2006 Ford Explorer?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Ford Explorer. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 301 | 5 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 223 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 39 | — | 2 | — | |
| Brake System | 39 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 28 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 23 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 22 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 11 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electric | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 635 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve 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 a…
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 …
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 …
THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THEY CAN FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE TO LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. YES THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IF YOU LOOK UP OLDER COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE ON OTHER REPORTING SITES THERE ARE MANY…
DRIVING ON SPEED LIMIT I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, CAR ENGINE WENT DEAD. I TURNED KEY OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TURNED KEY ON, CAR STARTED AS NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE PRETTY NEW. DECIDED TO TAKE TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHAN…
THE UNIT HAS ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS. I CALLED THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECALL CAMPAIGN REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND NO GUARANTY CAN BE APPLY.
I WAS TURNING FROM TURNING LANE INTO WAL-MART AND WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND LET ME PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS AND WAS LOOKING UP THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROB…
I TOO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. AS I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN A WRENCH TOOL CAME UP AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I HAD TO PULL OFF IN A PARKING LOT BEFORE I GOT TO THE INTERSECTION. I DID NOT WANT MY VEHICLE TO STALL AND I TURNED THE VEH…
RADIATOR FLUID EXPLODED ALL OVER ENGINE AND FLOOR MASSIVE LEAK . SEARCHED IT UP ON INTERNET AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE . I STARTED VEHICLE AND FLUID STARTED GOING EVERYWHERE .I DROVE MAYBE 10 FEET AND SHUT THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY . *TR
STATIONARY-TURNED KEY ON,EXPLORER STARTED-PUT IN REVERSE- LIGHTLY TAPPED ACCELERATOR-EXPLORER WENT FULL THROTTLE.I APPLIED BRAKE WHITE TURNING KEY OFF. RESTARTED 3 TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS-THEN THE EXPLORER STARTED AND OPERATED IN A NORMAL WAY. 2 ACCIDENTS ONE WITH15,000 & ON…
I HAVE NOW HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, AND PERSONALLY I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES SECOND CHANCES, THE FIRST VEHICLE THE SELLER SOLD ME HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH GAS TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND EXPOSED WIRES RIGHT NEXT TO IT SO THAT TRUCK WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB, NOW I HAVE A 2…
I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER. I NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND PAID AAMCO ALMOST $4,000. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE RE-BUILT AGAIN BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BACK IN MARCH 2019, I TOOK IT BACK TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WR…
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED TO HAVE THE PARTS STORE GET THE CODES IT WAS THROWING OUT. TWO OF THE CODES HAVE TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG HAVING A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM. NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE SO TRYING TO TA…
WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE AND YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AND SLIPS. I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT.
1. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SLUGGISH AND NOW FROZE UP. HASN'T WORKED FOR A LONG TIME. 2. REPLACED RADIATOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEN... 2018, SEPTEMBER,-- DISAPPEARING COOLANT FROM RADIATOR FOR LAST 6 MONT…
TRANSMISSION BEEN SLIPPING ON 2ND OR 3RD GEAR I BELIEVE I NEVER TOWED OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS AT ALL IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASE IT AND IT'S BEEN GETTING WORST SINCE
ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10- 15 MILES WITHOUT NOTICE
TAKATA RECALL-2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED UP. MY GRANDKIDS RIDE IN THIS AREA AND I DESPERATELY NEED TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Ford Explorer.
Recalls for 2006 Ford Explorer
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2006 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2006 Ford Explorer reliable?▾
Notable Issues. The 2006 Ford Explorer has 635 NHTSA owner complaints, 13 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (301 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Explorer?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (301 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (223 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (39 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Ford Explorer?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2006 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2006 Ford Explorer has 13 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 635 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2006 Ford Explorer. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2006 Ford Explorer has notable issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2006 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.