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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,712 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Ford Explorer miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 312023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission

- Moore, PA, USA

problem #20

Aug 252020

Explorer

  • miles
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 vehicle off and put it into neutral and let it sit there. I then took it out of neutral and started it back up. I could feel the jerking and felt like I got rear ended in the back. My head jerked forward as I was driving while it kept jerking.

- Many Farms, AZ, USA

problem #19

Jun 062020

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
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 & one 5,000 property damage.

- Brunswick, MD, USA

problem #18

Aug 202018

Explorer

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine shut down while driving approximately 10- 15 miles without notice

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Jun 192018

Explorer

  • 128,000 miles
2006 Ford Explorer, eddie bauer edition. The electronic throttle body (etb) fails, becomes defective, and has been replaced five times in less than two years. Without warning, the vehicle will display poor performance, erratic RPM's, loose power, and even stall. All indications point to the etb; codes and mechanic experience suggest replacing etb, only to have save issue arise again in two to three months, if not weeks, or even days, after replacement. Often, but not always, the "wrench" icon (limp home) turns on, and, often, however, not always, the check engine light. A restart of vehicle, the "wrench" icon turns off, and vehicle will drive, however, continues to perform poorly. The above occurs in all kinds of weather, and times of day, or year, without warning, no matter the diving conditions. The problems are inconsistent and irregular. The symptoms may occur on first start in driveway, on busy street, or idling in school pick-up line. When the etb is replaced, the vehicle drives as manufacture intended, demonstrating the issue is with the etb, as numerous mechanics have diagnosed, from the Ford dealership to many name-brand and local auto repair shops. The replaced-electronic throttle bodies perform well for inconsistent time periods no matter of the manufacturer. Oem etb do not seem to last any longer than after-market etb's.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #16

Jun 132018

Explorer

  • 214,000 miles
Shift stuck in park and keys stuck in ignition

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #15

May 042018

Explorer

  • 181,416 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After placing the vehicle in park, after removing foot from brake, the car rolls forward. This happens each time it's being parked, more noticeable over the last 6 months. Also frequently misfires when starting; diagnostics usually produce 8 - 13 codes, none of which produce a complete fix.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #14

Jul 212017

Explorer

  • 195,000 miles
Power train warning light comes on as driving down the highway at 75 mph. Car acted as if it would stop and as if transmission was slipping. We slowed car down, and moved it at a rate of 30 mph, but then car began acting normally. We stopped as soon as possible and turned car off and turned back on. It started normally. This is not the first time it happened, but this is the worse incident

- Rogersville, AL, USA

problem #13

Jul 092017

Explorer

  • 249,280 miles
Rear window hinge fractured, window fell. Vehicle was stationary.

- Glenville, NY, USA

problem #12

Apr 252017

Explorer

  • 138,000 miles
While driving on the highway a wrench light turned on on my dash. I then realized the gas pedal was not reving as usual I then pulled over and restarted the vehicle and it continued to work just fine or so I thought until it happened a day later. It happens every so often since then, but it is dangerous especially with my children are in the vehicle.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 282016

Explorer

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have a severe gas smell in the cab have had 3 different auto mechanic shops look at it cant find the source had gas lines replaced, gas filter and smoked nothing they are stumped and my people are good want to know what the ######## are you gonna do about this problem Ford. Help its making me have headaches N feel sick and it smells sitting and driving. Its non stop N getting worst.

- Beacon, NY, USA

problem #10

Oct 192016

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle's transmission propels forward at low speeds while braking. Even though the brake is applied the vehicles to propels forward and can cause an accident or worse. When trying get to stop at a stop sign or red light you have to try and stop well ahead then you normally would to try and get it to propel before reaching out the pedestrian walk area. My fear trying ge to stop coming off a highway off ramp with a pedestrian crossing or trying to stop abruptly I. a residential area with a child running across the street after a ball.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #9

Apr 112016

Explorer

  • 106,000 miles
We recently bought our truck in March 2016 and since about April of 2016 the truck continuously shuts off, in traffic, on the highway, on residential roads..pretty much any and every where, it happens while driving and while idling. All power is lost including power steering. Sometimes it will shut off 2/3 times in a 5-10 minute span will driving. It has cut off on me twice while driving through intersections while I had my children in the car with me almost resulting in accidents both times. Sometimes while driving it loses power then suddenly regains power back and will continue to drive. This is an all round dangerous and potentially deadly situation! after doing some research it seems as if this is a very common problem with these vehicles. I've contacted Ford myself and so far they haven't issued a recall and are aware of this situation. Please help!!

- Deptford, NJ, USA

problem #8

Apr 072016

Explorer

  • 16,200 miles
Check engine lite and orange wrench lite which shuts car down no excelration pedal power steering gone and no brake control on freeway coming home. Trans. Will not shift and jumps when wrench lite is on very dangerous this has been going on since April took back to dealer sent to mechanic replaced 2 parts on excelleration module. Still not right.

- Pinson, AL, USA

problem #7

Jan 272016

Explorer

  • 190,149 miles
I bought a 2006 Explorer in 2010 and in 5 years I have had a sensor that's goes inside the transmission replaced, then transmission rebuilted, and the radiator replaced twice. Now that it's paid off leaking coolant again making it run hot. Now it saying check the charging system and stop on me on the freeway and now won't stay started. Thought I was doing everything right with the maintenance of the truck but it keeps breaking down. Also the wrench thing is on and won't stay started even while pressing the gas pedal to the floor all after I just had another sensor replaced. And besides the radiator leaking again that plastic thing they call a thermostat housing may be cracked. I feel I'm spending more money repairing things on this truck in 5 years that most people spend on a new car. If I had seen all the problems this model year was having would have went a different brand.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 212016

Explorer

  • 158,000 miles
I have replaced the radiator 2 times and getting ready to replace for the 3rd time. This is my 1st Ford vehicle and if this continues it will be my last. I have found this is a common problem with the 2006 Ford Explorer and something needs to be done about it. A recall. Ford stand by your vehicle. It leaks transmission fluid at the radiator and the only way to fix is replace the radiator. All 3 times it leaks at the same place. My mechanic says there is no stabilization for this hose so in a short time it breaks and starts the leak. Fix your problem Ford.

- Arena, WI, USA

problem #5

Nov 242015

Explorer

  • 162,813 miles
Vehicle went to shop to fix ABS light. The following morning before shop opened up, the vehicle caught on fire (while stationary and not running) burning completely. The fire caused considerable damage to the shop and another vehicle that was in the adjacent bay. Fire department determined fire started on its own and cited similar incidents for Ford Explorer.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 222012

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
This vehicle has been jerking when I am going slow to the point as if someone hit me in the rear end of the vehicle. It is a very strong jerking sensation enough to frighten any reasonable individual. It also has been trying to accelerate when my foot was on the brake pedal and not in cruise control while going well below the minimum speed necessary to use the cruise control. The auto acceleration was while at 10 miles per hour or less and my foot was on the brake. This has become more and more frequent and I am worried it could be the computer, the transmission, the engine, or a control system not functioning properly. This has happened on multiple occasions with passengers in the vehicle. My parents were frightened when it happened. I am worried the thing may accelerate on its own and hurt another vehicle(s) or its passengers. There hasn't be a fire or crash yet but it is my fear that will happen unless this safety issue is meaningfully addressed. I already had certified auto repair of rockville md look at the vehicle and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong following a computer diagnostic. The jerking and auto acceleration are becoming more and more frequent and I am reporting this because I am concerned about the safety of my vehicle and others on the road. Also, there are heavy virbations occuring during the idling process and I am not a mechanic but this may have something to do with the safety concerns on the vehicle.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Oct 212011

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 80,100 miles
While driving the vehicle, the smell of antifreeze started coming into the car. My fiance' checked the radiator and overflow bottle and found out it was gas mixed with the antifreeze. My car's mileage is 80100. I do not believe the car should have this issue at only 5 years. This problem/complaint should be investigated and damages should be covered by the dealership or manufacturer.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #2

Nov 272009

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
The radiator was leaking on my Explorer and Ford refused to fix it, eventhough it was still under warranty. I see that there are many complaints on the 2006 Ford Explorer for the radiator leaking.

- Westfield, NJ, USA

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