TroubleCAR
53
Trouble

2006 Ford Explorer

Complaints: 630Avg mileage: 61,760 miSince: Dec 2005
CrashFire12 injured

Problem Areas

Power Train
174
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
114
Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System
75
Engine
58
Engine and Engine Cooling
55
Electrical System
33
Vehicle Speed Control
27
Unknown or Other
22
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18
Cooling System: Radiator Assembly
18

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

AIR BAGS
106,000 miJun 4, 2014DENHAM SPRINGS, LA
Crash1 injured

I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PULLING VERY SLOWLY INTO MY PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED ROARING, IT LUNGED, HIT A PARKING CURB AND THEN THRUST INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND ENGINE DIED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED! I RECEIVED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICALS ON BOTH OF MY HANDS. I'M STILL SHAKEN UP ABOUT IT. NECK IS SORE AND LOWER BACK HURTS. *TR

POWER TRAIN
96,500 miMar 30, 2012POMPANO, FL
Crash1 injured

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Jul 16, 2009PALM DESERT, CA
Crash1 injured

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.

STRUCTURE
16,000 miMay 14, 2008RANGELEY, ME
Crash2 injured

VEHICLE ACCIDENT TWO OCCUPANTS BOTH HAD SEATBELTS ON, BOTH HAD AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BOTH STILL STRUCK WINDSHIELD. ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER AND AS OF MAY ONE OCCUPANT IS STILL REMOVING GLASS FROM ARMS AND LEGS. FORD WILL NOT RESPOND TO E-MAILS REQUESTING WHY SEATBELT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT PREVENT OCCUPANTS FROM STRIKING WINDSHIELD. *TR

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Feb 14, 2006ALLENTOWN, PA
Crash2 injured

UPON RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE CAR ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND OVER MY LEGS. *JB

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
80,000 miJun 8, 2020BRUNSWICK, MD
Crash

STATIONARY-TURNED KEY ON,EXPLORER STARTED-PUT IN REVERSE- LIGHTLY TAPPED ACCELERATOR-EXPLORER WENT FULL THROTTLE.I APPLIED BRAKE WHITE TURNING KEY OFF. RESTARTED 3 TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS-THEN THE EXPLORER STARTED AND OPERATED IN A NORMAL WAY. 2 ACCIDENTS ONE WITH15,000 & ONE 5,000 PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

POWER TRAIN
125,000 miSep 5, 2014BIRMINGHAM, AL
Crash

CEL LIGHT CAME ON, CODE READ 02 SENSOR WHICH WAS REPLACED AND CEL LIGHT OFF NOW. TRANSMISSION JERKING HARD INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE AND HANGS UP BETWEEN GEARS, SUDDENLY LUNGING FORWARD. IN STOP AND START OR DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC, WITH LIGHTS EVERY BLOCK, IT WILL SOMETIMES LUNGE FORWARD AS I SLOW DOWN TO STOP, IDLES ROUGH, AND THEN HAS DIED. IT HAS TWICE SPUTTERED AND TRIED TO STALL TRYING TO CROSS BUSY INTERSECTION. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE!!!! AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT RIDICULOUS COST THAT APPARENTLY DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM AS INDICATED BY ALL FORD FORUMS. *TR

POWER TRAIN
126,000 miJun 3, 2014MARLBOROUGH, MA
Crash

MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING IT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE ACROSS THE STREET. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN PARK AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. MY NEIGHBORS HEARD THE CRASH, LOOKED OUT THEIR WINDOW AND RAN OUTSIDE. A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND VERY SMALL CONCRETE WALL STOPPED THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE OUTSIDE OR ANY OTHER CARS. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE TO MY EXPLORER AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IS PUSHED OUT. HOW DOES A VEHICLE ROLL ACROSS THE STREET WHILE IN PARK? EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SHOULDN'T THIS BE SOMETHING FORD WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR? *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5,000 miSep 28, 2010YARDLEY, PA
Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN REVERSE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, HIS FOOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HIT A MAILBOX AS A RESULT BUT THERE WERE NO DAMAGES OR INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES TOTAL WHEN HE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TWO PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
32,100 miJan 28, 2009EDISON, NJ
Crash

WHILE IN PARK VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN INCLINE ALMOST STRIKING PERSON AT BOTTOM OF DRIVEWAY LUCKILY HE JUMPED OUT OF THE WAY AND IT STRUCK SIDE OF HIS TRUCK CAUSING DAMAGE, DRIVEWAY HAD BEEN SNOW COVERED BUT CLEARED DOWN TO ASPHALT, HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING . THIS HAS SINCE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN VARYING WEATHER CONDITIONS, INCLUDING RAINY, SNOWY, AND SUNNY WITH DRY PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS ROLLED FORWARD AND BACK, WITH AND WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE SET, WHICH THE PARKING BRAKE IT TAKES LONGER AND ROLLS SLOWER; EACH TIME THERE AFTER STRIKING VEHICLE PARKED CLOSELY AS A PRECAUTION, WHEELS GET CHOCKED NOW WHEN PARKED ON INCLINE TO PREVENT SUV FROM ROLLING. FORD HAS CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOT FOUND ANY ISSUES AND FIXED OR REPLACED NOTHING SAYING IT IS BECAUSE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOT A CONTAINING LIMITED SLIP GEARING. *TR

WHEELS
50,000 miSep 26, 2008SEATTLE, WA
Crash

ON OUR 2006 FORD POLICE EXPLORES, THERE HAVE BEEN 7 TO 10 WHEEL SEPARATIONS ON OUR VEHICLES, HAS THERE BEEN AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE. AND DOES FORD USE THE RECALL WHEELS OFF OF THE CROWN VIC'S AND CROSS OVER TO THE EXPLORERS? THANK YOU MARK ORENDORFF *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
15,000 miJun 6, 2008NOVATO, CA
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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6,800 miAug 3, 2006RED BOILING SPRINGS, TN
Crash

I WAS ON VACATION IN SMOKY MOUNTAINS IN GATLINBURG, TN AND WENT TO A PICNIC AREA WITHIN THE PARK. I HAD TO MAKE A 45-DEGREE TURN TO GET INTO THE PARKING SPACE, SO AT THAT ANGLE ONE WOULD ALMOST HAVE TO STOP. I GOT INTO THE PARKING SPACE FINE, GOT STRAIGHTENED UP FINE, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RPMS REVVING FASTER AND FASTER. MY COUSIN TOLD ME TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND I TOLD HER I WAS BUT IT JUST KEPT REVVING. MY FORD EXPLORER STOPPED AFTER PLOWING OUT OF THE GROUND A METAL CHARCOAL GRILL SET IN AT LEAST 1 FOOT OF CONCRETE, A PICNIC TABLE, AND A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER. MY FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND I HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE BACK OF THE EXPLORER, AND THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER GOT OUT HER DOOR ON A MAN'S SHOULDERS. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY EXPLORER BACK, SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT YET. *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
170,000 miJul 12, 2016ANNISTON, AL
Fire

WHILE DRIVING WE TURNED ON THE AC AND WE HERD A BIG POP. THEN THE PASSENGERS LEG GOT WARM. THEN WE FELT AROUND IT KEPT GETTING HOTTER. IT FOLLOWED THE DASH THEN SMOKE ROLLED OFF UNDER THE DASH. I THREW IT IN PARK WE JUMPED OUT THE FLAMES CONSUMED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ON A ROAD.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
162,813 miDec 2, 2015HOUSTON, TX
Fire

VEHICLE WENT TO SHOP TO FIX ABS LIGHT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING BEFORE SHOP OPENED UP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE (WHILE STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING) BURNING COMPLETELY. THE FIRE CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SHOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE ADJACENT BAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND CITED SIMILAR INCIDENTS FOR FORD EXPLORERS.

ENGINE
50,000 miAug 17, 2012JACKSONVILLE, FL
Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC HOWEVER WITHIN MOMENTS, FIRE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND ADVISED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY AREA. THE FIRE HAD SPREAD TO THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT ADVISE THE CONTACT ON THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE LED TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
43,000 miApr 2, 2008LYNWOOD, CA
Fire

RADIATOR FAILED CAR NEVER RAN HOT CAUSED ENGINE TO BLOW HEAD GASKETS. CAR WAS SERVICED 9 DAYS PRIOR AND RADIATOR WAS FULL. CAR STOPPED ON FREEWAY LATE AT NIGHT AND HAVE TO PAY 6,700.00 TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *TR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
500 miMar 15, 2008SARASOTA, FL
Fire

CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10185415 IN FOLLOW-UP TO THE ABOVE CASE, I HAVE BEEN READING THE SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINTS AND READ WITH DISGUST THAT ALOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WRITING NOW BOUGHT THE 2006 EXPLORER AS USED. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE TURNED OURS IN UNDER THE LEMON LAW FOR ALL OF THE SAME REASONS LISTED IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF TURNING THE VEHICLE IN, THERE WAS A BIG COLORED PICTURE OF MY EXPLORER IN MATHEWS CURRIE FORD'S USED CAR AD. MY PROBLEMS WERE JUST BEING RESOLD TO SOME UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING A DEAL ON A GOOD LOW MILEAGE CAR. IT'S IS A SHAME THAT FORD IS STILL ALLOWED TO SELL THOSE EXPLORERS AND THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3,980 miAug 20, 2007WESTON, MA
Fire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *TR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
600 miMar 17, 2007SARASOTA, FL
Fire

2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAURER- WITHIN 12 HOURS OF PURCHASING THE CAR, THE STARTER CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE 1 WEEK. TRANSMISSION HESITATED FROM A COLD START ESPECIALLLY BAD WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ENGINE ROARED AT TIMES, SOUNDED LIKE A JET TAKING OFF. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL, IT WAS THE ENGINE FAN ???? CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN STARTING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AT FIRST SERVICE DEPT AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH 8 CYLINDER TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WERE NO FIXES BUT THEN THE FORD REP GOT INVOLVED AND SUDDENLY THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THEY SUGGESTED THAT OUR ONLY RECOUSE WAS TO GO THRU THE LEMON LAW WHICH WE DID. IT WAS A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS BUT AFTER 6 MONTHS OF DEALING WITH THE SITUATION, THE LEMON ARBITRATION RULLED IN OUR FAVOR AND FORD WAS REQUIRED TO BUY BACK THE EXPLORER. I HAD A FORD EXPEDITION FOR 9 YEARS AND LOVED IT BUT AFTER THIS FIASCO WITH THE EXPLORER AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. I NOW HAVE A TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER. WHILE IT DOESN'T HAVE SOME OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE EXPLORER, THE PIECE OF MIND OF KNOWING THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY GO WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC IS IMMEASUREABLE. TO THOSE STILL HAVING THE PROBLEMS, I WOULD SUGGEST THE LEMON LAW.

Other Explorer Years

Other Ford Models