2006 Ford Explorer
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 630
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2006
None on file
48% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 630 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 616 |
| 1992 | 640 |
| 1993 | 944 |
| 1994 | 1,231 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1,450 |
| 1997 | 1,731 |
| 1998 | 1,959 |
| 1999 | 1,348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3,295 |
| 2003 | 1,131 |
| 2004 | 1,304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 826 |
| 2013 | 2,233 |
| 2014 | 1,679 |
| 2015 | 1,786 |
| 2016 | 2,455 |
| 2017 | 1,690 |
| 2018 | 727 |
| 2019 | 296 |
| 2020 | 1,224 |
| 2021 | 432 |
| 2022 | 267 |
| 2023 | 110 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 39 |
| 2027 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
48% · 301 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
My 2006 Ford Explorer was parked in the driveway. At 4:30 in the morning it rolled backwards out of my driveway and crashed into a fence across the street. The vehicle had been in park and the doors were locked.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-03
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park with the engine on and the vehicle rolled away as the contact attempted to exit the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a tree, injuring the contact.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-30
Upon releasing the emergency brake the car rolled down the hill and over my legs.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-02-14
Also filed under Parking brake
Engine and engine cooling
27% · 169 reportsMost commonly citing cooling system and radiator assembly.
Engine
9% · 58 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The contact was able to accelerate into traffic however within moments, fire emitted from under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-17
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-05
Electrical system
6% · 39 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and solenoid.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that various warning indicators flashed and the vehicle stalled several times.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-09
Service brakes
6% · 39 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2005-11-22Visibility05V520000 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.
Remedy: 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…
-
R
2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…
Remedy: 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.
-
R
2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 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…
Remedy: 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…
-
R
2010-09-14Equipment10E043000 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…
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 301 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 169 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 58 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V520000 · Visibility
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
- Recall 10E043000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 Ford Explorer reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Ford Explorer is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Explorer?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Explorer have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.