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
635 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT #RD RADIATOR GOING IN TODAY. FORD KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM AND STILL LETS CUSTOMERS PAY FOR ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2010
1. THE RADIATOR ON MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6 BEGAN LEAKING AFTER JUST 3 YEARS AND 49K MILES--DESPITE REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY RETURN IT TO THE DEALER. 2. IN TAKING IT TO MY FORD DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $1200 (SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES). 3. FORD'S ISSUED A TSB IN APRIL 2009 WITH A DIAGNOSIS FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAVE A REDESIGNED RADIATOR THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ANY FAILED RADIATORS THAT YEAR WITH. IN CONTACTING FORD MOTOR THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2010
I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, IN 2009, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT 3X WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. MY MECHANIC AFTER REVIEWING THE VEHICLE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 2 CORRODED SENSORS WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REPAIRING THE SENSORS WITHIN THE HARNESS, MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARNESS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE STALLING OR OTHER SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN IN THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT I SHOULD PURSUE FORD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS OF THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS. I TOOK MY COMPLAINT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THEIR SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND THE HARNESS WAS REVIEWED BY THEIR AREA MANAGER OF NORTHEAST DEALERSHIPS. FORD REPORTED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HARNESS BUT WOULD OFFER LITTLE RE-IMBURSEMENT TO ME AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS REQUESTING THAT FORD REPLACE THE FAULTY HARNESS FREE OF COST TO ME AS IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. FORD DISAGREED AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY ADDITIONAL RESOLUTION. IN THE LAST YEAR- I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AS I CANNOT AFFORD REPLACEMENT DUE TO EMPLOYMENT LAYOFFS- THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED REPEATEDLY; ON HIGHWAYS, SUBURBAN AND URBAN ROADWAYS, ALL PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN HARM'S WAY. I RECENTLY CONTACTED FORD AGAIN WANTING A WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT- FORD'S ANSWER WAS THE SAME AS IT WAS IN 2009, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE HARNESS UNLESS I PAY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD CORRECT. I AM NOW BECOMING FEARFUL THAT IF NOT CORRECTED SOON, THAT IT WILL CAUSE HARM TO MYSELF AND FAMILY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2010
RADIATOR IS LEAKING FROM A SEAM. MILEAGE IS 52,000. SEEMS VERY EARLY TO BE REPLACING A RADIATOR. DEALER WANTS $1100 TO REPLACE. IT APPEARS THAT RADIATOR FAILURE ON 2006 FORD EXPLORER V6 IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Service brakes, Electric, Jun 4, 2010
ON TWO OCCASIONS (MAY 2009 AND NOW JUNE 2010) A TONE RING IN MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER'S ABS/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. IT CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKES TO GO HAYWIRE. THEY BEGAN TO GRAB AND LOCK MY BRAKES WHEN I WAS MOVING CAUSING ERRATIC DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO STOP, MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE READ ON FORD FORUMS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2010
MODEL YEAR - 2006 MAKE - FORD MODEL - EXPLORER V6 COMPONENT* - CRACKED RADIATOR. *TR
Power train, May 31, 2010
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE CAN TAKE FROM 1 TO 10 SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I AM SURPRISED I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT FROM THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR THAT IT GETS STUCK IN A HIGHER GEAR WHICH AFFECTS ACCELERATION FROM A DEAD STOP. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO POWER DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO LURCHES ON STOPS, MAKING IT FEEL AS IF YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NOBODY HAS FORCED FORD TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT OWNERS SAFETY CAN BE PLACED IN THIS AMOUNT OF DANGER AND STILL NOT HAVE A RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 26, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER XLS V6 RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING AFTER 36,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, May 17, 2010
I BOUGHT A 2006 EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES.THE FIRST MAJOR ISSUE WAS WHEN MY CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL OR DIE OUT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN BECAUSE IT STALLED ON THE HWY WHILE I WAS DOING 65 MPH AND THE CAR DIED. I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RADIATOR. THEY FIXED THIS BUT I EXPLAINED A MONTH LATER THAT THE CAR WAS STILL STALLING ALONG WITH ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND THE VOLUME ON THE RADIO WOULD GO UP ALSO ON ITS OWN. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A RESOLUTION. I TRIED TO TRADE THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD NO. I CRIED AND EXPLAINED MY SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MY CHILDREN BUT THEY DO NOT CARE. FINALLY THE CAR WAS NOT ANY BETTER BUT STARTED TO STALL MORE OFTEN AND EVEN BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING ME NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. THE LAST TIME IT STALLED WAS ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHICH WAS SO DEVASTATING TO ME AND MY CHILDREN. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD AFTER AN 1 HOUR AND A HALF THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I REFUSED TO LEAVE AND SUGGESTED THEY KEEP LOOKING BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT SAFE. THE CAME BACK AFTER ANOTHER HOUR AND TOLD ME THAT THEY CALLED FORD AND THEY SUGGESTED A PART TO REPLACE BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT WOULD WORK. I SAID NOT TO KEEP LOOKING. AFTER 3 HOURS AT THE DEALER THEY HAD TO BRING ME HOME AND DRIVE MY CAR AROUND WITH A COMPUTER ATTACHED. THEY CALLED AND SAID AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 57 MILES IT DIED ON THEM AND THEY COULD BARELY GET IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WOULD COST EST 448 AND CHARGED ME 100 DOLLARS FOR THEM LOOKING AT IT. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IF THEY WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MY CONCERNS? FORD IS NOW PUTTING MY CHILDREN AT RISK OF POSSIBLY GETTING INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT NOW STALLS EVERY TWO MINUTES EVER SINCE THE DEALER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, May 15, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER - 62,000 MILES AND I AM ON RADIATOR #5 - MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP - STATING IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I DID NOT BY EXTENDED WARRANTY 1/2007 PURCHASED VEHICLE - 10/2007 28,000 MILES REPLACED RADIATOR - DEALER COST UNDER WARRANTY 3/2009 45,000 MILES REPLACED RADIATOR AGAIN - MY COST - NOT UNDER WARRANTY 10/2009 54,500 MILES REPLACED RADIATOR AGAIN . DEALER PD INDEPENDANT GARAGE - MARCH RADIATOR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. 5/10- REPLACED RADIATOR AGAIN - RADIATOR UNDER WARRANTY - BUT LABOR WAS MY COST ... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6-4.0L NOTICED ANTIFREEZE LEAK AT 62,000 MILES TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS BAD LEAKING AT SEAMS. TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR. REPLACEMENT FOR NEW RADIATOR IS $750 . HE TOLD ME TO CALL FORD AND SEE IF THEY HAD A SILENT RECALL ON THESE AS THERE IS A TSB OUT FOR THIS, THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. CHECKING DIFFERENT INTERNET SITES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS HE STATED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A RED SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 07/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/26/10
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; THE RADIATOR WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR COULD BE WARRANTIED AS THERE WAS A SIMILAR FAILURE IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CALLED A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,071. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPPROXIMATELY 44,200.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2010
OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS WITH MY EXPLORER I HAVE HAD IT DIE ON ME 4 TIMES AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. 4 TIMES THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SOME SORT OF COMPONENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY THAT IS CAUSING IT TO DIE. IT HAS DIED TWICE ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DOING 65 MPH. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON THURSDAY APRIL 15TH. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND YET AGAIN THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR IN THERE AND FOR THE 4TH TIME THE REPLACED A COMPONENT OF THIS INSTEAD OF THE WHOLE THING. THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX IT WHICH IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO ME. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT GO ABOVE 45 MPH BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT IT TO DIE ON MY ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. THAT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE ANYONE ELSE HAS TO GO THRU WHAT I (AND BASED ON THE ONLINE COMMENTS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE GONE THRU). FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 EXPLORERS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS MADE FOR THE RECALL. THEN WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THIS REPAIR WOULD NOT FIX DEFECT AND CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A PART OF A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WAS TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM GETTING STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION, BY REPLACING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CIRCUIT BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD PERIODICALLY AND TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN PARK. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIR PERFORMED. THE FIRST CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX THE DEFECT. SO A SECOND CIRCUIT BOARD WAS INSTALLED AND SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, A MONTH LATER, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BECAME STUCK IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OTHER PARTS WITHIN THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE REPAIRS WERE OUTSIDE THE LIMITS OF THE RECALL. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND FAILED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE AND THE DEALER WAS REPLACING IT FOR THE THIRD TIME AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Apr 12, 2010
RADIATOR LEAK IN 2006 FORD EXPLORER. V6 ENGINE. HAPPENED AT 42,000 MILES. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ON 4/11/10. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 12, 2010
ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHES 35,000 TO 40,000 MILES, RADIATOR FAILURE IS COMMON. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER V6 AT 39,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEMS IS KNOWN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AS THEY'VE CREATED A TSB FOR IT STATING TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW DESIGN AND TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE ON THE VEHICLE. RADIATORS SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS SOON ON NEW CARS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 12, 2010
A FRIEND WITH 2006 FORD EXPLORER HAD THEIR ENGINE SEIZE ($5000) ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A FAMILY TRIP OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND NO ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. I BEGAN CHECKING MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO TAKE A SPRING BREAK FAMILY TRIP AND NOTICED LOW ANITFREEZE ON MY TRUCK OVERFLOW TANK AND LEAKAGE ON THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF THE RADIATOR. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CAR MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY WANTED $800 FOR A NEW RADIATOR. MY MECHANIC FIXED THE TRUCK BUT HIS PARTS CONTACT SAID THE RADIATOR IS ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE ALL THE DEFECTIVE RADIATORS IN 2006-2007 FORD EXPLORER TYPE VEHICLES. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY REPAIR ABOUT 4 OR 5 A YEAR AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIR I FOUND OUT THERE IS A TSB RECOMMENDATION FROM THE MANUFACTURE IN ORDER TO GET A LIFETIME WARRANTY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CAN ONLY DO THIS AND FOR $95 THE TSB WILL CORRECT THE TEMPERATURE COMPUTER SETTINGS SO THE COOLING FAN WILL TURN ON SOONER. THE HIGHER TEMPERATURES MAY BE THE REASON THIS RADIATOR IS FAILING BECAUSE THEY SHOULD LAST 10 PLUS YEARS OF THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE GASKET SEAL BETWEEN PLASTIC AND ALUMINUM ON THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE IS THE CAUSING THE PROBLEM, SO IT'S OBVIOUS THERE IS A COMBINATION OF IMPROPER TEMPERATURE SETTINGS AND DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PART SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A DEFECTIVE ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE DIRECT OR INDIRECT DEATHS AND/OR INJURIES. IT COST ME $530 INSTALLED AT A LOCAL RADIATOR REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *TR
Power train, Apr 10, 2010
HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED V8. WHEN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC CAR LUNGES SOMETIMES LUNGING SO HARD FELT AS THOUGH I WAS REAR ENDED. BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 2008 HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES AND WAS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (ALTHOUGH DON'T THINK THE DEALER DID ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE). ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE HAD TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. THE PERSON I CALLED SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE RECORD IN THE COMPUTER. ONLY WHEN I WENT IN AND LET THEM KNOW IT WAS CPO & OIL WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS DONE. THE SERVICE PERSON LEFT THE FRONT DESK FOR ABOUT 15 MIN AND CAME BACK ONLY TO FIND THE RECORDS IN THEIR SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LUNGING & JERKING AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USED TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE THAT KICKS IN AUTOMATICALLY. ONCE SPRING CAME HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM I WAS TOLD UNLESS IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF MY MONEY TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. AS OF TODAY'S DATE IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, WHY IS FORD NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MORE THAN ONCE I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND DO A RECALL. I AM SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ! *TR
Power train, Apr 10, 2010
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2010. WHEN PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES BACKWARD VERY VIOLENTLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP 4/10/2010 AND THERE ARE PIECES OF THE CLUTCHES SITTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE TRANSMISSION NOW REQUIRES A COMPLETE REBUILD. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE HAD JUST GONE TO A FORD DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE SHIFT LEVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING SAID ABOUT THE LUNGING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2010
RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING AND SLOWLY BECAME WORSE. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE TO AVOID TOTAL FAILURE. TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS DUE TO SEAM FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2010
2006 FORD EXPLORER - RADIATOR FAILURE - VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THE RADIATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN APRIL 2009 THEY ISSUED A TSB REGARDING RADIATOR LEAKS OCCURRING IN CERTAIN 2006 EXPLORERS MADE BEFORE 8/8/2006. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT IS NOT A "LEAK" IN THE RADIATOR BUT A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE PART. THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON THEIR FOURTH DESIGN OF RADIATORS FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS THIS, WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T NHTSA LAUNCHED AN INVESITGATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND WHY HASN'T THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY STEPPED UP AND ACKNOWLEGED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND DONE SOMETHING TO ASSIST THE OWNERS OF ALL VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE PUT ON THE RECALL LIST AND FMC BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY EITHER COME UP WITH A DEFINITE SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM OR BUY BACK ALL THE VEHICLES AND SEE THAT EVERYONE IS COMPENSATED FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR AND THAT THEY ARE FREED FROM ANY LOANS ON THE PROBLEM VEHICLES. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME IF FMC IDENTIFIED THERE COULD BE ISSUES EFFECTING VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE A CERTAIN POINT IN TIME, THEN IT CLEARLY HAS RECOGNIZED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. MY GUESS IS, THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A CERTAIN IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING IT OR IF THE TSB AND FOURTH REDESIGN OF THE RADIATOR WILL REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.