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.
7.7
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$720
Average Mileage:
64,100 miles
Total Complaints:
238 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace radiator (176 reports)
not sure (34 reports)
replace with ford certified radiator and parts (12 reports)
replace bad seal (7 reports)
replace with aftermarket radiator and parts (5 reports)
contact national highway safety administration 1-888-327-423 (1 reports)
California Lemon Law Specialists - If you have repeated problems with your 2006 Ford Explorer, you may be able to get your vehicle replace or your money back under the California Lemon Laws.
Any updates on a recall for the Ford Explorer 2006 radiator? Mine's been leaking antifreeze slowly, and I have to refill it with water everyday and antifreeze every week. I was told I needed a new radiator but it's a costly repair and I don't have the money. What's the corporate number for Ford? We need to get a class action!
AFTER 5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE I WAS TOLD I HAD A RADIATOR LEAK AND IT NEEDED REPLACING. I OWN A 15 YEAR OLD DODGE AND IT STILL HAS ITS ORIGINAL RADIOTOR WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A FORD MECHANIC IN MICHIGAN TOLD ME FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REPLACED SEVERAL RADIATORS ON EXPLORERS AND SOME WITH MILEAGE LESS THAN 40,000. IF YOU KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WHY ARE YOU SHAKING DOWN YOUR CUSTOMERS FOR THIS KIND OF MONEY?
Ford Dealer wanted to charge me to replace a radiator it had installed for $1,100 almost exactly one year previous. They are a complete joke and I am done going to Ford dealers and buying from Ford
this is the 3rd radiator that i had to replace. every time it was the same thing it leaked and then the line for the transmission keeped leaking also. how many time do people have to keep fixing this problem. Today people don't have money just sitting around to fix big problem like this. so ford why don't you step up to the plate and do something about all of these complaints. i will bet there are enough people that will join together to do a class action lawsuit and there is enough evidence that will show the malfunction in the radiators for 2006 ford explorers.
- Jeff R.,
San Antonio, TX, US
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Took to the dealership and they stated that the leak in the radiator is not covered by the warranty. They went on to say that the radiator had the wrong coolant. They stated that maybe someone put in the wrong one. I told them the coolant was never touched. They stated the warranty does not cover since incorrect coolant. Since there are so many complaints about the same issue, Ford should pay for the work that a private garage did on my car to replace the radiator. Ford was charging too much money that is why I did not have it done there.
Bought it at 2006. Everything was fine except the coolant leaking started 2010 early after changing transmission oil at Marlborough Ford dealer shop. I went back to dealer but they said it's not their problem. The leaking came from a hose connection. I put a clamp on spent $2 instead of deal shop asked for $100.
Starting Dec. 2010. There was a small leaking again and I can see it on the garage ground every morning. It's not very serious but very anoying. This time I wnet to a friend recommended shop and found the leaking was from the upper corner of radiator close to the cap. spent $800 replaced it.
Third Radiator on this relatively "newer" vehicle. The second radiator covered under original warranty. It lasted 3 years. That's terrible! (note to previous posters-Ford is the only US manufacturer that DID NOT take the bailout). Still ridiculous issue for an expensive SUV like this. Shame on you Ford.
My vehicle started to regularly overheat and then hum before any warning lights came on. I took it in and the mechanic told me I had total radiator failure. I had to have a new radiator put in since it wasn't under warranty and it cost me $1,100 since it was hard to get at (apparently is is wedged next to the wheel? not a great place for a radiator). Not happy having problems with this vehicle since it isn't too old. Also the mechanic told me this vehicle has head gasket and timing belt problems.
This is the SECOND radiator put into my car, first was at 35,000 miles. First would have been covered under warranty, but not ever having used a warranty, didnt think to ask. Radiator runs under $200.00, however labor is the big expense. What a lemon.
If Ford is unwilling to "recall" these defective radiators even after numerous complaints from owners, maybe it is time to work in another direction. Try making complaints to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the defective radiators leak potentially toxic antifreeze onto the ground where it could possible be ingested by animals or even leech into the groundwater and contaminate it. Maybe Ford would be more concerned if they were looking at being investigated and fined by the EPA.
This is the 3rd radiator and no idea that this is over? Found that ford has reworked the design. radiator cap is set for 20 psi and should not change. Fingers on the clamp flange crack and release clamping force and alows leak in the upper drivers side corner of the raidator.
I purchased a used 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer model 4.0 ltr 6 cyl with 40 000 KM's on it last summer. Shortly after purchasing this vehicle I had to replace a faulty leaking radiator. The vehicle now has just hit 100 000km and guess what? ... yup, the radiator is leaking again and has to be replaced. Is this for real! How can a company put a product out that has an issule like a faulty radiator problem. This is the kind of part that should never have to be replaced on a vehicle. What a piece of SH*T!
I will never buy a Ford product again as long as I live, and as far as I'm concerned, the government should have let them sink instead of giving them the bailout. Just delaying the inevitable. If Ford is will not stand behind the products they manufacture, I will support a foreign compnay that has the brains and foresight to do just that STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS! It's really sad that the only time there is a recall, is when someone has died as a result of the problem and the manufacturer has been sued. What the f*ck!
Have a 2006 Explorer XLT, V6, automatic two wheel drive. Bought the vehicle new and have had several Fords, including two Explorers, two F 150s, and one ranger. I have always been very happy with my Fords. The 2006 has had some problems every now and then.....I guess nothing really major until recently. About the time I put new Michelins on I started to get some road noise and ever so slight vibration. Long story short dealer could not find any problem causing and did not diagnose as wheel bearing or transmission. While in the shop they said you have a radiator leak and probably need to replace. Rough estimate was about $1,000. They've said they had many complaints and were sending cars out to get the after market radiators put in for roughly $600 - $700. I was shocked at the cost. I said no thanks at that time since I had seen no leaks or smelled any hot antifreeze.
A few months later, I am beginning to see a wet spot now and then, but still not a major problem. I have been following this web site and kept waiting for perhaps a recall, but not so far. If I keep this vehicle I will have to readdress with the dealer, or find an independent to repair. I was also surprised during the dealer visit with the front end noise that the transmission is sealed and you cannot check or add transmission fluid. That seems like another problem waiting to happen. But they will hopefully never be another story.
You see from the parts I mention as a fix why Ford is not recalling these vehicles. Actually, you won't be happy doing this either. The problem is not cheap radiators; when Ford redisigned these in 06 they they went to a hard mount instead of having the radiator set in rubber bushings as almost every other vehicle has ever since the invention of the wheel! When you drive the radiator needs to set in these rubber bushings or vibrations from the engine or the road will pull the radiator apart. I tried 2 Ford oem radiators, they are only $279.58 ;, if they charge you more you got ripped twice; once on the price, second on the part which will go bad real quick. I tried Modine radiators (2), they are the best $419.80, but they won't last any longer. If you can't mount them like the old Ford pruducts- in rubber bushings- move on. I have talked to, wrote to, complained to Ford with absolutely know help.
I have read all of the complaints on here and feel for everyone. Sad. What was a great company has seemed to vanish like many other things in this country. I got rid of my Explorer; that hurt, other than the radiator it was the best riding vehicle I have had in quite some time. I put 4 radiators in this one, and gave it back to Ford. It may have ruined my credit rating but my blood pressure will come down.
All I asked was give me a fix so I can keep this vehicle, I'm on social security, I wanted to keep this one. wd4ity, sorry I did not get back to you , had a few internet problems. Thats fixed, the Explorer wasn't. Feel sorry for the person who gets it. I'm sure some Ford dealer will covince someone ( It's been updated and OK , we'll stand behind it> Yeah; as you drive off the lot.
I noticed the pavement in my driveway was wet and having experience with this problem before, I checked and the radiator was leaking. I had previously owned a 1997 Explorer that I replaced the radiator in six times, the original went out, replaced it twice with aftermarket radiators from Advanced Auto, then replaced it twice with NAPA radiators, and finally replaced it with an OEM radiator. The last NAPA radiator lasted less than a month. Now, I know the person that has this vehicle and it's leaking again.
On my 2006 Explorer, this started an I knew exactly what it was. The aluminum cored radiator has end or top cap tanks that are made of some type of plastic. They are crimped onto the aluminum core. After a period of time, the seal between the core and the cap fails and the radiator leaks. The problem may not be very apparent to the average driver. I've been a mechanic on one thing or another all my life and I've never seen radiator problems like these. This is undoubtedly the poorest design for a radiator ever.
Since the vehicle had 75885 miles on it and the warranty ran out at 75,000, it cost me $800 to have a new radiator installed. Now, this brings up another question. I wonder how many engines and transmissions have been damaged due to overheating because of these radiator problems? Yes, the radiator does cool the transmission. Just look at the two steel lines that come off the bottom of the radiator on this year model.
I called Ford corporate as I previously noted and left my complaint. I then called the service manager at Tuttle Click Ford in Irvine and told him that I have filed my complaint with corporate and that I had seen over 100 complaints regarding Ford radiators. I then asked to have the regional manager's phone number. The service manager told me he would look into financial assistance to replace the radiator. He called the next day and said Ford would replace the radiator with a new one for $350. I agreed to pay because it was leaking badly and was afraid of driving it that way. I guess paying $350 is better than $600-800 that I had been quoted. I also received a follow-up call from corporate to make sure everything was handled.
I've had this car for 6 months. 6 MONTHS! And I already need a new radiator? Are you kidding me? I can't believe there is no recall on this - does anyone have any further information?
2006 explorer on the fourth radiator and it is leaking. First 3 covered under warranty but not this one. Called dealer got no help. Called Ford got no help. Had State attorney general contact Ford and dealer got no help. Today I took the vehicle to independent radiator shop. They ordered a new aftermarket LIFETIME guarantee radiator for $180 plus
$40 to install. I expect there may be an extra charge for antifreeze but that's still less than a third of the cost of another ford POS radiator.
The man at the shop said he thought the problem was caused by electrolysis. That's corrosion caused by electrical current flowing between two different metals with the antifreeze acting as the electrolyte.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Any updates on a recall for the Ford Explorer 2006 radiator? Mine's been leaking antifreeze slowly, and I have to refill it with water everyday and antifreeze every week. I was told I needed a new radiator but it's a costly repair and I don't have the money. What's the corporate number for Ford? We need to get a class action!
- hadit, Torrance, CA, US