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.
Of the 2006 reports, 13 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: service brakes
39 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 3, 2010
WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY, AND SOMETIMES AT OTHER TIMES, MY FOOT STRIKES THE GAS PEDAL TOO CAUSING THE MOTOR TO REV UP AND NOT STOP TIMELY WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON AT 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND FORD MOTOR CO SAYS THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND IT CAUSES ME GREAT SAFETY CONCERNS. ONCE A SEMI TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON A HIGHWAY AND I BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AS THE FORCE OF THE MOTOR WOULD NOT LET THE BRAKES HAVE FULL EFFECT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 22, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT WOULDN'T START DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COST $544.00. STILL HESITATES TO START (TURN KEY NOTHING... NO CLICKING TAKES A FEW ATTEMPTS) TOOK BACK DEALERSHIP SAYS STARTER IS BAD. NOW ABS+TRACTION LIGHT +WRENCH LIGHT ON. TAKING BACK TOMORROW. HOW CAN ALL THESE PROBLEMS SURFACE AT ONCE AND NOT BE RELATED???? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2010
I HAD JUST LEFT THE GYM WHEN MY 2006 EXPLORER ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DURING ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY AS IF I WERE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALL, I WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WERE STOPPING THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY WITHOUT MY INPUT. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED. I DECIDED TO PULL THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT AND WHILE I WAS TRYING TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR DECIDED TO STOP ITSELF, ALMOST GETTING ME REAR ENDED AGAIN. I HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT THE TUNE OF $423.78. THE ABS TONE RING HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO STOP THE CAR. I STILL HAVE THE OLD BROKEN TONE RING. I AM ALMOST NERVOUS DRIVING THE THING AT HIGHER SPEEDS FOR FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF IT BRAKES AGAIN. WOULD THE SUV ROLL OR CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SO VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 9, 2009
ABS FAILURE IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER. DEALER REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED BROKEN SENSOR RING ON LEFT-REAR WHEEL. REQUIRED EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT OF AXLE. CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES AND A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 22, 2009
THE PROBLEM IS WITH A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. EVERYTIME I START THE CAR OR GET READY TO PULL OUT THE MOTOR REVS UP. THANKFULLY I HAVE HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD HAVE WENT OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT IF EVER I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THERE IS A GREAT CHANCE THERE WILL BE. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I AM FACING WITH MY EXPLORER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 16, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. IN MARCH OF 2006, THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT LEAST 8 OR MORE TIMES BETWEEN MARCH OF 2006 AND OCTOBER OF 2006. IN OCTOBER OF 2006, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. SHE WOKE UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO INJURIES SHE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS DOCUMENTATION THAT SHE WILL MAIL IN PERTAINING TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2009
TRAC CONTROL, ABS, CHECK ENGINES LIGHTS ON. RATTLE ON LEFT REAR AXLE, ABS RING LOOSE FORM AXLE, NEED TO REPLACE RING AND AXLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Sep 26, 2008
2006 FORD EXPLORER BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PLUNGED INTO THE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2008, crash
RELATES TO DESIGN: MANY VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN AND NEVER IN ONE THAT I COULD PUT MY SHOE ON BOTH GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, AND I AM A VERY MODEST SIZE MAN, NOT A LARGE SHOE SIZE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKING AND THE ENGINE RACING AND FOUND THAT MY FOOT WAS ON BOTH PEDALS OR STEPPING ON GAS AND SOMETHING HOLDING BACK AND REALIZING I WAS ALSO ON BRAKE. I RECENTLY DID A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THREE OTHER VEHICLES AND MINE WHEN BRAKING TO STOP, MY SHOE WAS HITTING BOTH PEDALS. I ATTEMPTED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE AND REALIZE NOW I WAS ALSO ON THE GAS. WHILE LOOKING WHERE I WAS GOING DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REALIZE THIS, GET OFF THE GAS BEFORE HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT DOWN ON THE GAS. I PUSHED A CAR INTO ANOTHER CAR AND PUSHED THOSE TWO OVER TO SERIOUSLY DAMAGE A THIRD. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF A PERSON HAD BEEN THERE OR PEOPLE IN THE CARS. EVEN KNOWING THIS I FEEL NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS EXPLORER WHEN BACK FROM THE BODY SHOP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2007
I BOUGHT MY 06 EXPLORER WITH 12K MILES. SOON AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND SEEMED TO REQUIRE A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN MY OLD EXPLORER. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN FELT SLIGHTLY BETTER, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. SINCE THAT TIME, THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE FOR A TURN BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO TURN, DESPITE HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. MOST RECENTLY, WHEN DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, WHEN THE ABS KICKS IN, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE PUSHED DOWN AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP, CAUSING ME TO SLIDE THROUGH A RED LIGHT, DESPITE GOING SLOW AND BRAKING A LONG DISTANCE BEFORE THE LIGHT. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE EXPLORER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND ANTI-ROLL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THAT COMPONENT. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 12, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT 25 - 30 MPH, SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND COULD CAUSE A COLLISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS DOES NOT OCCUR OFTEN; HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE DECEMBER 5, 2006 ALL RESULTING IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE INCIDENT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT DIDN'T OCCUR DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2006
I OWN A 2006 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH 3000 MILES ON IT. HERE IS THE PROBLEM, JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT STOP LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR WHATEVER, THE ENGINE REVS TO 1200-1500 RPMS FOR JUST A BRIEF SECOND. I AM NOT GIVING THE CAR ANY GAS TO INDUCE THIS OCCURRENCE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE CAR IS DOING THIS AND NEITHER DOES MY LOCAL DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CAR IS IN FACT DOING WHAT I DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUT COULD NOT OFFER A FIX. I TESTED ANOTHER 2006 V6 EXPLORER WITH 3 MILES ON IT, TO MINE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SURPRISE; IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING AS MY TRUCK. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO THE SITUATION AND CALL SOME OF HIS ENGINEER BUDDIES TO SEE IF THEY COULD GIVE HIM ANY INFORMATION. I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HIM. I AM ALSO BEGINNING TO NOTICE THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE TO BREAK HARDER TO GET THE TRUCK TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS CAN NOT BE NORMAL, YET MY FORD DEALER IS INSINUATING NOTHING IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR. LONGER THAN NECESSARY STOPPING DISTANCES AND WILL LEAD TO UNNECESSARY COLLISIONS. BECAUSE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH 2006 V6 EXPLORERS MY DEALER WILL PROBABLY DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I COMPLAINED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION THAT THEY RECEIVED MY EMAIL. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A RECALL SITUATION. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ALL 2006 V6 EXPLORERS EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ADMITTEDLY NOT BY ANY STRETCH A POWERFUL SUDDEN ACCELERATION BUT STILL IT IS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I AM CONFIDENT IN MY ASSESSMENT BECAUSE I HAVE PERSONALLY DRIVEN 2 EXPLORERS AND DIFFERENT SERVICE REP CLAIMED HE DROVE YET ANOTHER 06 EXPLORER THAT DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF FORD HAS A DESIGN FLAW IN ONE OF THERE CARS THEY SHOULD DESIGN A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEN REPAIR THE AFFECTED CARS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2006
1. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN 2. WHEN TRYING TO SLOW FOR A LEFT TURN, THE CAR BARELY SLOWED DOWN AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN. I WENT BEYOND THE TURN AND HAD TO BACK UP. DURING MY ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, IT MADE A NOISE LIKE A LOUD FAN OR A RACING ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH NO STONES. 3. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BUT THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO REACT LIKE IT DID FOR ME AND THEIR COMPUTER COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I MADE THEM PUT ON THE REPAIR PAPER THAT THEY LOOKED AT BOTH A BRAKING PROBLEM AND AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. I THEN LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, DROVE DOWN THE ROAD, HAD THE CAR WASHED AND THEN STARTED FOR HOME ONLY TO HAVE THE EXACT SAME STOPPING PROBLEM AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE. I MADE THEM TAKE IT BACK AND THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR GOING ON 4 WEEKS AND STILL CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. EVERYONE IN THE PLACE, SERVICE MANAGER, MECHANIC AND ANOTHER SERVICE PERSON, HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR WITH NO RESULTS. THEY HAD ME DRIVE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AFTER TAKING IT BACK THE SECOND TIME AND HE PUT THE CAR INTO A SLIDE ON GRAVEL TO HAVE ME EXPERIENCE THE ABS IN ACTION TO SEE IF THAT WAS WHAT I EXPERIENCED, BUT IT WASN'T THE SAME. IT DID NOT MAKE THE NOISE THAT I EXPERIENCED EACH TIME IT FAILED TO STOP. WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER. THE CAR ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 3,700 MILES WHEN THEY FIRST GOT IT. IF I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN TRAFFIC, I WOULD CERTAINLY HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I APPLY TO THE BRAKES, IT WON'T STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER. ONCE I HAVE TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT WILL WORK AGAIN, PROPERLY. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO SOLUTION GIVEN TO ME. THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT ISN'T DOING ANYTHING WHEN THEY DRIVE IT. *JB