NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN EARLY APRIL 2012: MY CAR WAS EMITTING A FOUL SMELL AND OVERHEATING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. I TURNED MY VEHICLE INTO FORD AND IT WAS REPLACED. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED EARLY-MID OCT 2012: MY CAR WAS JERKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS TAKEN TO HAVE THE CODES CHECKED AND IT WAS INDICATED THAT I HAD 2-3 RANDOM "MISS-FIRES" TO MY SPARK PLUGS. AS THIS IS NORMALLY AN EASY AT-HOME FIX, WE WERE ABLE TO REPLACE ALL THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ISSUE WITH THIS INCIDENT WAS THAT IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE SPARK PLUGS, ALL BUT ONE BROKE IN HALF. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS DESIGNED AND SELLS A SPECIFIC TOOL TO REMOVE BROKEN SPARK PLUGS. ONCE THE TOOL WAS PURCHASED, I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MY CAR NO LONGER JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED LATE NOV 2012: VEHICLE STARTED JOLTING AND JERKING EXCESSIVELY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING GEARS PROPERLY. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. A SAFETY RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMINENTLY. ANOTHER ISSUE, STARTED IN THE END OF 2011: WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, STICK SHIFT WILL STICK AND I WILL HAVE WIGGLE AND PULL HARD TO MAKE IT MOVE. *TR
SEPARATION OF RADIATOR ... BETWEEN PLASTIC TOP AND BOTTOM TANKS WITH ALUMINUM RADIATOR GRILL. THIS IS THE 2ND REPLACEMENT WITH COST $520 RADIATOR, $300 LABOR ESTIMATED BY FORD. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH ENGINE FAILURE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE POSSIBLE. PROBLEM CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE/ANYTIME; I.E., WITHIN TRAFFIC SITUATION ON MULTILANE INTERSTATE RUSH HOUR. *JS
HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A HESITATION IN 2008, AFTER SEVERAL TIMES AT THE SHOP THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 3RD GEAR. AT ONLY 56785 MILES THIS IS TERRIBLE. *TR
WE BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2012 WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. DURING THE FIRST MONTH, NOTICED ENGINE SLIPPING (USUALLY AROUND 45 MPH). CHECKED FLUIDS, ADDED COOLANT AND NAIVELY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, AND IT SEEMED TO FOR ABOUT A MONTH. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE SINCE THEN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDING COOLANT AND DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID A HARD JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION AROUND 45 MPH. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT THE "TRANSMISSION WAS PROBABLY SHOT" BUT THAT THEY COULD CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS "FOR ABOUT $250 EACH EVEN THOUGH THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HELP." HOW IN THE WORLD CAN A SPARK PLUG BE THIS EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE? THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED US NEARLY $200 TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS FOR A PROBLEM THAT WE NOW KNOW IS RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD HAVE LONG AGO BEEN A RECALL, AND FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF FOR NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM SOONER. *TR
THERMOSTAT/RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING ENTIRE ENGINE FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ABOUT THE EXPLORER. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT ANY WARNING A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *KB
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSISTING THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,934. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, SHE WAS KNOCKED ON THE GROUND BY THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE STREET BACKWARD AND HIT A TREE. UPDATED 07/31/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC IN THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND NEWBORN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO A SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TONE RING OR ABS RING WAS CRACKED. THIS MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE FUNCTIONAL BRAKES. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE ABS RING HAD A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER AND THE MATERIAL WAS MUCH THICKER THAN THE OLD RING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE OVERHAULED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A PART WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
2006 FORD EXPLORER IS A LEMON. THOUSAND OF PROBLEMS ACROSS THE NATION. TAKE ONE TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANICS TELL YOU WHICH PROBLEM YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TELL THEM, ONE OF THREE. TRANSMISSION FAILURES, RADIATOR REPLACEMENT EVERY 30000 MILES AND BAD WHEEL BEARING CAUSING TIRES TO COME OFF DURING DRIVING. LUCKY FOR ME ONLY TWO ENCOUNTERED SO FAR. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GETTING ON INTERSTATE AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC. AVERAGE COST FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS ARE 2500.00 TO 4000.00. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. THEY CHARGE ABOUT 200.00 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
THE TRUCK JOLTS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS TO REVERSE AND DRIVE, I FEELS LIKE A CAR RAN INTO ME FROM THE BACK. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BUMP INTO ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC, AS I ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL IT EITHER STALLS OR JOLTS VERY HARD, THANK GOD IT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR NOR MINE. EVER SINCE THIS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN BIG PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD, AND NOW THE TRUCK DOESN'T PICK UP SPEED VERY QUICKLY EVER SINCE THIS HAPPENED, WHEN I GET TO 20 MPH IT STALLS OR JOLTS AFTER 3-5 SECONDS. MY SHIFT STICK IS ALL MESSED UP NOW, WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, IT LOOKS LIKE ITS ON NEUTRAL AND PARK LOOKS LIKE ITS ON 3RD GEAR. SERVICE MECHANICS HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, AND FORD HAS SAID THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE A PROPER REPAIR!! THEN WHY SELL IT IF YOU CAN'T REPAIR IT PROPERLY SO I WONT HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
WAS DRIVING WHEN TILT GATE GLASS AJAR WARNING CAME ON, AT THE SAME TIME HEARD A WHISTLING NOISE. UPON STOPPING NOTICED THE LIFT GATE WAS AJAR WITH AND AWAY FROM THE HATCH BY SEVERAL INCHES. TIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY UPON INSPECTION THE HINGE WAS BROKE THAT HOLDS THE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE. MANAGED TO GET THE GLASS SOMEWHAT BACK IN PLACE AND DROVE GINGERLY HOME ALL WHILE THE LIFT GATE AJAR LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A LOT OF WHITE RESIDUE PACKED IN PART OF THE HINGE NOT KNOWN IF IT IS ROAD SALT OR NOT AND THE HINGE HAS A CRACK WHERE IT SEPARATED. MY CONCERN IS THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO SALT AND FREEZING AND THAWING, AND IF THAT IS THE CASE HOW LONG BEFORE THE OTHER ONE FAILS... ALSO IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH WINDOWS OPENED COULD IT HAVE CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER SCARING THE DRIVER OF OTHER TRAFFIC CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT IN CASE THEY WANTED TO SEE IT AND GOT THE NORMAL BASIC REPLY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND BASICALLY WE DON'T' CARE AT THIS TIME. *TR
2006 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NEGLECTED TO DETECT ANY SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM, BEFORE THE TERMINATION OF THE USED VEHICLE WARRANTY. *JB
STICKS IN PARK, BANGS WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE OR OTHER, SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING THEN ENGINE WILL REV AS IF IN NEUTRAL, STICKS IN PARK WHEN ON HILL WILL NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE ( OUT OF PARK), WHEN THE VEHICLE LOOSES GEAR IT WILL REV AND I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAVE TO PULL OVER TO ALLOW OTHER VEHICLES BY UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO ENGAGE AND GO INTO GEAR OTHERWISE THE CAR JUST REVS AND GOES NOWHERE. *TR
THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT BOTH LITE UP ON THE DASH. THE CAR APPEARED TO BE RUNNING STRANGE, SHIFTING HARD. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT RESTART FOR APPROX 20 MINUTES. IT WOULD RUN FINE FOR A DAY OR SO THEN THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY DROVE IT FOR APPROX 23 MILES AND THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON. THE BATTERY TESTED LOW SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHEN TEST DRIVING AFTER THE BATTERY REPLACEMENT THE WRENCH LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. THEY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES TO AN HOUR IT WOULD START BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN AFTER TURNING IT OFF IT WOULDN'T RESTART. THEY CHARGED ME AN ADDITIONAL $759 TO FIX THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (AFTER AROUND $300 FOR THE BATTERY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING). VERY FRUSTRATING - MY 2006 ONLY HAS 47K MILES AND IS RARELY DRIVEN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
THIS 2006 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER CAR STARTED MAKING ROARING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. TRIED BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THERMOSTAT GAUGE TEMPERATURE WENT TO HOT AND DISPLAYED RED AND A/C STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. THERMOSTAT THEN WENT FROM HOT TO COLD MULTIPLE TIMES. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS AND THEY WERE FINE. THE ENGINE AND CAR FINALLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND THE CAR THEN OVERHEATED. COOLANT BLEW OUT AT THE HOSE AT THE THERMOSTAT. TOWED THE CAR TO A NATIONWIDE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND PRESSURE TESTED COOLING SYSTEM BUT CAR WILL NO LONGER IDLE AND ENGINE NOW HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS. TOWED THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ($2200 OR MORE) AND OR ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($5600). THEY ARE GOING TO CHECK WITH FORD TO SEE IF THEY CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT (LESS THAN 15,000/YEAR) AND SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW THERMOSTAT AND ENGINE. THERE APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE WITH RADIATORS/THERMOSTAT ISSUES. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
RADIATOR FAILURE. THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. SEE ODI NUMBER 10439878. REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE AND RADIATOR IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. (COSTING OVER $6000). PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AS IT PROCEEDED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLES WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LUG NUTS HAD SHEARED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
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
THE VEHICLE HAS HARSH UPSHIFTS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 1ST TO 4TH GEAR, CREATING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, THEN JERK FORWARD A FEW INCHES UNANNOUNCED, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A WRECK OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE SAME WILL OCCUR WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND VICE-VERSA. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE RPM WILL INCREASE DRASTICALLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN SPEED. I'M AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE SPEED DECIDES TO INCREASE. *TR
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
PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE IN 2011 ONCE IT WAS HOME WITHIN 3 MONTHS BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS, I ALSO PURCHASE THE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY EXPLAINED THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT JOLTS, LUNGES, AND SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE TRYING TO PULL OUT AT AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE THE CAR STARTS TO JOLT AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE GAS IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO GO.IT IS HORRIBLE AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING; ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. EVEN IF I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO OVERDRIVE TO STOP THE MAJORITY OF THE JOLTING, AND THAT DOES NOT EVEN GUARANTEE IT WILL STOP. IT HAS BEEN A BATTLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP. HAD IT INDEPENDENTLY CHECKED BY AAMCO AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS. NOT SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
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
I BOUGHT MY FORD EXPLORER IN 2006 BUT THREE YEARS LATER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. AFTER THAT I NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE ESCALATED SINCE JUNE 2013 WITH THE VEHICLE JACKING OR DRAGGING BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. MY WIFE IS ACTUALLY AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND INSTEAD PREFERS TO DRIVE MY 2000 HONDA ACCORD WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY FORD EXPLORER AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SO HE TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE THIS COMPLAIN SINCE THIS WAS NOT OUR FAULT BUT A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH BY THE LOOK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THIS SITE, FORD IS AWARE OF. MY QUESTION IS WHY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THIS BECAUSE AFTER CHECKING THIS SITE, I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME RELATED ISSUES (MAINLY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION), ARE CUSTOMERS SUPPOSED TO SUFFER AND SPEND MONEY FOR THINGS THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS NEGLECTED OR FOR THEIR POOR WORKMANSHIP? I BELIEVE NOT. FORD NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEMS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I, JUST LIKE EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR AUTOMAKERS DOING WELL AND THAT'S WHY WE BUY THE CARS BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR FAMILIES SAFETY OR FINANCES. *TR
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.
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.
WHEN I MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION JOLTED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR... TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WENT FROM 40 TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE THIS SPEED. *TR
DURING A LEFT TURN ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC OUR EXPLORER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT LURCHED TO START AND WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10-15 MPH, NEARLY STALLING. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH. AT SPEEDS 10 - 20 MPH IT JERKED VIOLENTLY. THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AT SPEEDS 45 - 60. MODERATELY ACCELERATING BETWEEN 45 - 60 MPH HAS CAUSED HARD JERKS FOR YEARS WITH THIS CAR PRIOR TO IT BEING OFF WARRANTY. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO TED BRITT FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WE ALSO NOTED THEY ONLY PUT IT ON THE TICKET ONCE, THE OTHER TIMES TELLING US THEY TOOK IT OFF SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE ISSUE AND WOULDN'T CHARGE US FOR IT. THE TIME MENTIONED IN THIS INCIDENT THE DEALER OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST WITH US DUE TO OUR PREVIOUS ISSUES AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS WE STILL CANNOT ACCELERATE AT SPEEDS 45 - 60 WITHOUT HARD JERKING FROM THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. WE NO LONGER USE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS TRYING TO SWITCH LANES OR MERGE ON TO A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND OFTEN LEFT US RUNNING OUT OF MERGE LANE SPACE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I AM SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS HAVING THIS CAR LOOKED AT AND IN FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. *TR
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
MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER JERKS EVERY TIME I STOP AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR EVEN PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED MY TRUCK IT ONLY 125000 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED JERKING A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2006 EXPLORER AND FORD REFUSED TO HELP OR GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE. I TRAVEL WITH THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND I'M REALLY SCARED THAT I'M GOING TO GET REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE JERKING. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE. WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT KEEP SPEAK FOR US AND OUR RIGHT AS CAR OWNERS. I AM A MOTHER OF 3 AND FULL TIME WORKER I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR. FORD SHOULD STAND UP AND ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 FORD TRANSMISSION. I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND FIGURED I WILL TRY AND GET SOME HELP HERE. THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS BECAUSE SOMEONE CAN GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A REALLY BAD JERK AND IT JUST GETS WORSE AND WORSE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. REGULAR VEHICLE USAGE. AFTER 4 OR 5 YEARS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN CLUNKING AND HESITATING TO SHIFT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS VIOLENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED BUT I AM COMPLAINING NOW BECAUSE SO MANY SIMILAR REPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN FILED ACROSS THE INTERNET. *TT
WHILE DRIVING 2006 FORD EXPLORER SHUTS DOWN SEVERAL TIME AT DIFFERENT OCCASION SOMETIMES A LITTLE WRENCH APPEARS AND GAS PEDAL BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE ENGAGE AND VEHICLE IDLE VERY ROUGH WHEN COME TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS LOSS ACCELERATION WHILE RUNNING ON 6 LANES HIGHWAY AND REQUIRE TO BE PULL ALONG THE SIDE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART AGAIN, WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN IT DOES NOT ALWAYS RESTART RIGHT AWAY. WHEN I BRING IT FOR DIAGNOSTIC FORD DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO FAULT ARE STORE. IT HAPPEN AGAIN SUNDAY AUGUST 21 2011 WHILE I WAS DRIVEN FROM NJ TO NY ON I-80 AND THIS TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT TO AUTO-ZONE AND THEY READ CODES P2104 AND P2111. BY THE TIME I WENT TO THE DEALER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GONE THE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
WHILE BEING PARKED ON AN INCLINED HILL, MY EXPLORER WOULD NOT GET INTO GEAR. HAD TO CALL AAA TO TOW TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO ADJUSTED THE GEAR BUT STATED YOU MIGHT HAVE MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE GEARS HAVE BEEN GRINDING AS I'M DRIVING. I'M AFRAID I MIGHT HAVE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE SINCE I'VE BEEN READING REPORTS FROM FORD OWNERS THAT THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD VEHICLES. *TT
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT EXPLORER FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS WHEN IT FINALLY DID ENGAGE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED WITH GREAT FORCE. THE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS AND IS POSSES A DANGER TO MYSELF AND FAMILY AND ANY ONE WHO MAY BE PARKED OR STANDING TO CLOSE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TWICE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY: FIRST TIME THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTING MECHANISM. IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IS WAS THE GEAR SHIFTER AGAIN, THIS TIME I PAID $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE CAR WORKED CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND I THOUGH IT WAS FINALLY FIXED, HOWEVER IT IS ONCE AGAIN DOING THE SAME THING. IT DELAYS 5-10 SECONDS BETWEEN SHIFTING, DROPS INTO GEAR VERY HARD AND LUNGES FORWARD. FORD IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE FANTASTIC PRICE OF AN ESTIMATED $2500. GIVEN ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION I THINK FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THEM AT THEIR COST BEFORE WE START SEEING AN INCREASE IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE CRASHES, INJURIES, AND POSSIBLY FATALITIES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE IT ENGAGED WITH FORCE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR DID THE DEALER REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE THE GEAR ENGAGED WITH FORCE, AND THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A DIAGNOSED WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN INCORRECT DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE WRENCH, THE ABS, AND THE ANTI-SWAY ICONS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2006 EXPLORER. THEY WOULD RESET IMMEDIATELY USING THE RESET BUTTON. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE "TONE" WHEEL CRACKED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE TONE WHEEL WAS REPLACED, THE ABS WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN; IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ABS, BUT DON'T THE DRIVER IS SET UP FOR THE BIG FALL! FORD IS AWARE OF THIS CRACKING PROBLEM: WHY NO RECALL? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN INSPECTED, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS CORRODED AND WAS CAUSING THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSING LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY FIRE.. *TR
SAME ISSUE AS MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE. HARD JERKS/CLUNKS WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND MULTIPLE GEARS AND OVERDRIVE. ALSO FEELS AS IF YOUR ARE BEING HIT IN BUMPER AS YOU ARE STOPPING WHILE TRANSMISSION IS DOWN SHIFTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH SO MANY 2006 EXPLORERS, PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL AS THIS A DEFECT WITH THE FORD MODEL. *TR
I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH 64000 MILES. YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY SAY THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE. AND EVERYONE HAD EXACT SYMPTOMS. FORD ACTS LIKE THIS ISN'T COMMON AND PLAYS DUMB TO THE FACT. I STILL OWE $15000 ON A VEHICLE AND CANNOT AFFORD $3000 TO REPAIR. SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND STOP FORD FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CITIZENS. THANK YOU *TR
THE ISSUE BEING, DIGITAL ODOMETER FAILURE,AND FORD UNABLE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPONENT. NOW WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AS I AM UNABLE TO MONITOR MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE, HAVE NO IDEA WHEN TO CHANGE OIL, CONTRIBUTING TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, AND UNABLE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED, RENDERING MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE
2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH 69,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MAKES A LOUD NOISE AS ENGINE IS WORKING BUT TRANSMISSION ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EITHER SELL IT OR TRY TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALSO, CONTROL BOX ON DASH PANEL WENT OUT AT 30,000 MILES. $700 TO REPAIR. TRANSMISSION COULD BE UPWARDS OF $4,000 TO REPAIR
TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 EXPLORER STARTED SLIPPING AND SLAMMING INTO GEAR. AT SLOW SPEEDS IT WOULD SLAM AND LURCH FORWARD MAKING IT COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR FORD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND THEY WILL OFFER NOTHING TO TAKE CARE OF IT. *TR
I OWN A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A FAILURE ON THE FUEL FILL SYSTEM IN 2008. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT MORE THAN A GALLON OF GAS IN AT A TIME, WAIT FOR AWHILE, ADD ANOTHER GALLON, ETC AS THE FUEL FILL WOULD ACT AS THOUGH THE TANK WAS FULL. TOOK TO A DEALER AND HAD IT REPLACED BASED ON TSB#07253. EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN NOW IN 2011 AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT I HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE AGAIN TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. *TR