Model year record

2006 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

The 2006 Ford Explorer has 4 safety recalls and 630 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (301 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints630filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Ford Explorer in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentSep 3, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10E043000294 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Fix: 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.

VisibilityDec 11, 2007

Glass, side/rear

Recall 07E1040001,657 vehicles

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

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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

VisibilityNov 9, 2005

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 05V520000199,942 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.8%

2006 Ford Explorer NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Explorer 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Explorer 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	301	6	2	4	60,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	169	0	2	1	45,775 mi
Engine	58	0	1	0	81,850 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Starter assembly › Solenoid	39	0	2	0	57,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	28	2	0	0	42,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	23	2	0	1	52,871 mi
Unknown or other	22	1	1	0	139,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	18	0	0	0	70,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Rear window wiper/washer	15	1	0	2	40,050 mi
Service brakes	14	0	0	0	107,000 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	11	2	0	2	19,695 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust; Front assembly › Recliner	11	0	0	1	22,549 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power train
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 sylenoid valve I have been getting check engine light with the emissions code not passing inspection. At this point my registration is at hand and the mechanics that change the parts canât seem to understand why the check engine light did not go off. However an additional code came on in regards to the heater. As per PEP Boys mechanic shop and Auto Zone the emissions keep failing and may need a new…
May 27, 2025
Engine
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 vehicle was driven 100 yards before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Sep 5, 2023 · 150,000 miles
Power train
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!!
Jul 16, 2023
Unknown or other
Transmission
Mar 31, 2023
Electrical system
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. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.
Jun 4, 2022
Power train
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 REPORTS OF TRANSMISSIONS CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. WHY HAS THIS NEVER BEEN DEALT WITH IN ANY MANNER? I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND GET IT TO THE SHOP. I PAID TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT DID IT AGAIN IN THE NEW TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT UP THE HILL NEAR MY HOME AND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PARK THE…
Jun 12, 2019 · 135,000 miles
Engine
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 MECHANIC DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. REALLY? WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY? CERTAINLY I WOULDN'T BE ALIVE TO REPORT IT!
Jan 8, 2021 · 159,000 miles
Seat belts
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.
Feb 18, 2018

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.