2006 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (154) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (108) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System (68)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
547 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2010-09-03 · campaign 10E043000 · 294 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (40)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-09-07 · SSM 51909 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving mercon sp, mercon lv has replaced all versions of mercon sp and can be used going forward. mixing mercon lv and mercon sp in the same transmission is acceptable. after 30-jun-2023, mercon sp atf will no longer be manufactured and wi
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Steering 2018-10-02 · DOR-S3J9G-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
Equipment 2018-06-01 · SSM 47331 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various vehicles equipped with a 4.6l, 5.4l, 6.8l modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. if diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s) requiring replacement, rep
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Showing the 6 most recent of 40 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-27 · Unknown Or Other“hi, i purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. since then i’ve 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 …”
2024-11-05 · Engine · 150,000 mi“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 reoccu…”
2023-07-26 · 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!!…”
2022-06-06 · Power Train“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, vehicl…”
2021-05-01 · Power Train · 135,000 mi“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 neve…”
2021-02-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 159,000 mi“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 …”
2020-12-18 · Seats“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. …”
2020-10-28 · Power Train · 166,000 mi“i was turning from turning lane into wal-mart and when i gave it gas the transmission slipped and wouldn't move. luckily no cars were coming and it finally kicked in and let me pull into the parking lot. i just bought this and was looking up the issue and found out this is a problem with ford explorer 2002 - 2006. why isn't there a recall on these …”
2020-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
2020-06-09 · Engine · 36,300 mi“radiator fluid exploded all over engine and floor massive leak . searched it up on internet and seems this is a common problem with this vehicle . i started vehicle and fluid started going everywhere .i drove maybe 10 feet and shut the car off immediately . *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.