CarComplaints.com Notes: The previous generation of Explorer was so awful that the redesign in 2006 was greeted with much optimism. That didn't last long.
The transmission continues to be the Explorer's worst reliability problem. Owners report shifting hard & lunging, typically starting as low as 40k miles with a $1,600 average repair bill. On top of that, the radiator is prone to failure around 60k miles. Repairs for the radiator run $500 to $1,000 & many owners report they've had to replace the radiator multiple times for leaks, indicating a possible design defect in the OEM replacement parts.
Ford did make some significant changes to improve handling and safety. Electronic stability control was added in addition to side impact air bags, but beyond that this is a vehicle that should be avoided at all costs.
2006 Ford Explorer abs light traction control. I replaced the rear axle tone ring and still this light is on. This should be a recall on a 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.
Someone said" there is a sucker born every minute, well here we are complaining about a problem that FORD is well aware and the powers that be turn deft ear. While we gripe Ford service department is loving the fact that so many dollars are being made with a planned defect. My next purchase will not be a Ford=Fix Or Repair Daily
Rear left sensor broke, $160 for parts, and $85 an hour labor, took 1.5 hours. Warranty had just expired. had to pay. I see websites with the same complaint, I don't understand why it is not considered recall already.
2006 Ford Explorer with only 50K miles. Bottom-line is within one week I had two "tone rings" fail on the car. These are basically wheel sensor rings for the ABS system. I had all three lights (ABS, RCS, Wrench come on simultaneously) and the car is/was not driveable. It cost me $600 to fix. In my view, Ford is ignoring this ABS safety issue and making a bazillion dollars from defective tone rings that fail because they crack....everyone needs to complain so these tone rings get recalled--this is a safety issue that is being ignored.
Had new tires installed and 20 minutes down the road the ABS light and the anti skid light come on. I call the tire dealer and they swear they didn't do anything to cause the light. Took it to dealer and they said the ABS wheel ring had a broken tooth. Fixed it under the extended warranty but still paid deductible and all kinds of ridiculous fees-$85 diagnostic, $29 shop supplies, etc... Now 3 weeks later the anti skid light comes on again and makes a terrible clicking noise while driving 35 mph on a straight road and I feel like it is losing control of the wheels. Took it back to dealer and now some other kind of sensor in the dash is bad. I think it is all related but waiting from dealer to see how much it is going to cost. Hasn't there been some kind of recall yet on this bad part?
I had the same problem March 19 2009 with all three ABS / RCS/ Wrench Check Engine lights on. I went to the Ford dealer and they found the right rear toothed ring known as the "tone ring" was loose on the axle. The truck can be driven, but only at low speed or the other three sensors will cause driving problems. We had it towed because we did not want to damage anything. They said the whole axle part needs to be replaced for $630 installed. Everyone with this problem must submit a defect complaint under File a Complaint to NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems). This should not happen on a 2006 Truck with only 50K and with more complaints we may get a recall or reimbursed for the repair.
January 2007 - ABS light came on. Fortunately, it was covered under warranty. One year later, the ABS light comes on again. This time everyone I called wanted about $100 to diagnose the problem. Took it to Aamco as recommended by Autozone. Found a cracked rear axle. $690 and no after market parts. Nice! This is my second Explorer and both had thermostat problems too.
Guess it's true when people call these cars Fix Or Repair Daily.
Time for a change where the quality control and after purchase service is better.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
ABS light due to bad tone rings - once fixed all was well.
- dshea1055, Stamford, US