2006 Ford Explorer

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 635 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 635

Of the 2006 reports, 13 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train301 reports · 47% of complaints
Owner complaints635Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train301
  2. Engine and engine cooling165
  3. Engine58
  4. Electrical system39
  5. Service brakes39
  6. Vehicle speed control28
  7. Hydraulic23
  8. Other or unspecified22

Recalls and investigations

  1. EquipmentSep 3, 2010

    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.

    AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

    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.

    Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007

    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 FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

    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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

    Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

    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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    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.

    Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorNov 9, 2005

    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.

    AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

    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 LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

    Campaign 05V520000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling

165 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2011

    RADIATOR FAIL CAUSED CAT DEATH. *TR

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 16, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR COOLANT. AND AS A RESULT, THE RADIATOR FAILED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RADIATOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE LEAKING WAS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC MATERIAL SEPARATING FROM THE ALUMINUM, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SHE ALSO STATED THE WERE PLENTY OF WEBSITES DEVOTED TO THE EXACT RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/21/11...UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/11

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2011

    WE PURCHASED OUR 2006 EXPLORER USED WITH 61,000 IN SUMMER 2009. THE DEALERSHIP DID A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND REPLACED EVERYTHING WE FOUND AS DEFECTIVE OR AS A RECALLED ITEM. THE COOLANT SYSTEM WASN'T ONE OF THESE ISSUES. DROVE VEHICLE ALL SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL WITHOUT ISSUE. BY LATE FALL OF 2009 VEHICLE HAD ANTI-FREEZE LEAK, JUST AFTER THE FIRST FROST IN NE. LOCAL AUTO SERVICE PROVIDOR REPLACED RADIATOR TWICE IN ONE MONTH WITH NAPA PARTS WITHOUT REMEDY AND THEN EVENTUALLY THEY HAD TO REPLACE WITH AN AUTHORIZED FORD RADIATOR TO GET IT NOT TO FAIL. ALSO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, ALL HOSES, PULLIES, AND FLUID TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES. STILL LEAKED BUT MINOR AND FINALLY WAS CORRECTED IN SPRING OF 2010. BY LATE FALL 2010, AGAIN AFTER THE FIRST FROST THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE AGAIN. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP THIS TIME WHERE THEY WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND UPPER INTAKE HOUSING THEY SAID WAS LEAKING. THEY ALSO FLUSHED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AGAIN AND ADDED WHAT THEY DEEMED WAS THE CORRECT ANTIFREEZE FOR THE VEHICLE ASSURING THAT THIS WOULD STOP THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE STILL LEAKED AND WE HAD TO PERIODICALLY TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS BUT BY SPRING OF 2011 THE LEAK AGAIN STOPPED. JUST BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP FALL 2011, AGAIN AFTER THE FIRST FROST. WAS TOLD THE NOW 2 YEAR OLD FORD RADIATOR WAS FAILING AT THE JOINTS BETWEEN ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC. THIS WAS THE SAME FAILURE AS ORIGINALLY NOTED IN FALL OF 2009. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 2006 EXPLORER RADIATORS WITH OVER 50K MILES. ALONG WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IF THE ENGIN RUNS OUT OF COOLANT. *TR

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2011

    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. *TR

  6. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 2, 2011

    ENGINE STALLS. WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, HOT OR COLD, SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ON THE STREET ROADS AND FREEWAYS. STARTS AND GO AGAIN AFTER 5/10 MINUTES BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I PAID SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND PARTS ALREADY AND YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST. MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. DATE: NOV 1, 2011, TIME:1550, AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN SHE'S NOT HAPPY, NOBODY'S HAPPY....SHE ALMOST GOT RAN OVER AS SHE OPEN HER DOOR, SHE COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE BUT WAIT FOR TIME TO EITHER COOL OFF OR RESET ON THE ENGINE. *TR

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 30, 2011

    ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR THER ARE TWO TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES THEY ARE BOTH LEAKING. *TR

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2011

    MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS A NEW RADIATOR,AFTER CHECKING COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.I BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THE RADIATOR ISSUE. THE LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR CAN SEEP INTO THE GROUND AND INTO THE UNDERGROUND WATER SYSTEM,NOT TO MENTION ANY ANIMALS THAT WOULD DRINK FROM THE PUDDLES LEFT BEHIND FROM THIS VERY TOXIC ANTI-FREEZE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS ITEM COST ALMOST $1200 AT A FORD DEALER,THESE TRUCKS ARE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPLACED 3 OR MORE RADIATORS SINCE THEY PURCHASED THEIR EXPLORERS. IT SEEMS TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM FOR THE 2006 MODEL WHEN FORD CHANGED THE RADIATOR TO PLASTIC. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WHERE CAUSED WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILED AND SEIZED THE ENGINES WHILE PEOPLE WHERE DRIVING? *TR

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR .THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED A READING INFORMING HER THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 14, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE THAT REQUIRED THE RADIATOR BE REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED VERSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE RADIATOR BEGAN TO LEAK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED EVERY 25,000 MILES. ALL OF THE RADIATORS WERE BEEN REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

  14. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 20, 2011

    THIS VEHICLE CONSTANTLY OVERHEATS. I HAVE TO ADD COOLANT EVERY FEW DAYS. IT FIRST STARTED DURING A DAY TRIP. PRIOR TO LEAVING I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND ALL MY FLUIDS WERE FILLED. AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I HAD TO GO TO A GAS STATION AND ADD MORE COOLANT IT WAS ONLY A THREE HOUR TRIP AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION BECAME SHIFTING HARD. IT JERKS AND SEEMS TO MISS GEARS. AT THE TIME IT ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES. NOW I HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND MUST KEEP COOLANT IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM AFRAID THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE DANGER BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR. I AM FINANCING THIS VEHICLE AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET A NEW ONE. THIS VEHICLE TODAY HAS 54,000 MILES AND IF BUILT CORRECTLY I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 100,000 WITHOUT ANY MAJOR REPAIRS. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND SHOW THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS. THEIR SAYING SHOULD BE FORD FLIMSY NOT FORD TOUGH! *TR

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATING BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONSULTED WITH HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

  16. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE TO VERY HOT. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MOST RECENT IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2011

    THE TRUCK MAKE A HORRIBLE TICKING NOISE WHEN YOU START IT UP. IT WILL DO THIS UNTIL THE OIL GETS THRU THE MOTOR. FORD STATES THAT IT IS THE NATURE OF THE MOTOR FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST, AS IT SOUNDS LIKE A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT IS WAITING TO GO OFF. AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES THAN THE NOISE GOES AWAY, SEEMS THAT IF I SPENT THIS MUCH MONEY ON A VEHICLE, IT WOULDN'T SOUND LIKE AN OLD CLUNKER. *TR

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 2, 2011

    RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSING LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY FIRE.. *TR

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2011

    2006 FORD EXPLORER-BAD RADIATOR LEAK. STARTED LEAKING WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WOULD COST $ 1100.00 TO FIX. THEY ALSO TRIED SELLING ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

  20. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 14, 2011

    RADIATOR LEAKS BADLY, PLASTIC CRACKED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TOO HARD AND HESITATES GOING INTO REVERSE ENDING WITH A LOUD BANG INTO GEAR. *TR

  21. Engine and engine cooling, May 11, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED RADIATOR AND THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED REPROGRAMMING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLY ANTIFREEZE OR WATER TO THE RADIATOR SO THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OVER HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  22. Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2011

    2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4.0 WITH LEAKING RADIATOR STARTING AT 30,000 MILES. ALSO THE VEHICLE AT DEFECTIVE THERMOSTATS AND RESERVOIR, THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD REFUSED TO RECALLED THIS PART FOR WHATEVER REASON, EVEN THOSE THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. HERE ARE LISTING OF OTHER PEOPLE MAKING COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITE OF THEIR RADIATOR LEAK AND OTHER COOLING SYSTEM PARTS GOING BAD AS WELL. MANY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EFFECTED I THINK FORD SHOULD DEFINITELY ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.HERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH CONSUMERS EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR RADIATOR PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2006/CONSUMER-REVIEWS.HTML HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2006/CONSUMER-REVIEWS/RECALL-THE-RADIATOR.HTML?STYLE=100625344&SUB=&REVIEWID=221461699 HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=1900967. *TR

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2011

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER, DETERMINE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT NO COST . JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE 3/29/2011 HAS 43,600 MILES. NOW I WORRYING ABOUT THE RADIATOR GOING BAD. *TR

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR EITHER FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

  25. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2011

    I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER AND RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE. AFTER THAT WORK I NOTICED THAT COLLING FAN WAS COMING ON CONSTANTLY AND THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE WAS ROARING. THEY DETERMINED THAT RADIATOR WAS LEAKING SO THEY REPLACED ENTIRE COLLING SYSTEM. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60000 MILES ON IT. I AM SO UPSET AND THINK THEY DONT KNOW WHAT WRONG. THEY HAD CAR FFOR 5 DAYS AND THEY CANT FIX IT. NOW I READ ALL THIS BAD INFO AND ASK WHT IS THERE NO RECALLS AND HOW DOES FORD HAVE THE ORDASISTY TO CHARGE ALL THESE PEOPLE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT... THIS NEEDS TO STOP AND SHAME ON FORD... *TR