2006 Ford Explorer Owner Complaints

Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the EGR Valve, Mass Air flow sensor and the EGR sylenoid valve I have been getting check engine light with the emissions code not passing inspection. At this point my registration is at hand and the mechanics that change the parts can’t seem to understand why the check engine light did not go off. However an additional code came on in regards to the heater. As per PEP Boys mechanic shop and Auto Zone the emissions keep failing and may need a new computer- however when a part is removed the computer is able to pick that up issuing out another code. Please assist Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11663104

Incident

May 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven 100 yards before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11623728

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! THE REVERSE BAND BREAKS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION!! NO WARNING JUST WENT TO REVERSE AND NOTHING! UPON RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE!!

NHTSA ID

11534558

Incident

Jul 16, 2023

Transmission

NHTSA ID

11514883

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.

NHTSA ID

11467756

Incident

Jun 4, 2022

THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THEY CAN FAIL WITHOUT NOTICE AND CAUSE A VEHICLE TO LOSE MOMENTUM WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. YES THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IF YOU LOOK UP OLDER COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE ON OTHER REPORTING SITES THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF TRANSMISSIONS CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. WHY HAS THIS NEVER BEEN DEALT WITH IN ANY MANNER? I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AND GET IT TO THE SHOP. I PAID TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT DID IT AGAIN IN THE NEW TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT UP THE HILL NEAR MY HOME AND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11414743

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

DRIVING ON SPEED LIMIT I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, CAR ENGINE WENT DEAD. I TURNED KEY OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TURNED KEY ON, CAR STARTED AS NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE PRETTY NEW. DECIDED TO TAKE TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. REALLY? WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY? CERTAINLY I WOULDN'T BE ALIVE TO REPORT IT!

NHTSA ID

11397509

Incident

Jan 8, 2021

Mileage

159,000 mi

THE UNIT HAS ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS. I CALLED THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECALL CAMPAIGN REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND NO GUARANTY CAN BE APPLY.

NHTSA ID

11384004

Incident

Feb 18, 2018

I WAS TURNING FROM TURNING LANE INTO WAL-MART AND WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING AND IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND LET ME PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS AND WAS LOOKING UP THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER 2002 - 2006. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

11366820

Incident

Oct 27, 2020

Mileage

166,000 mi

I TOO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY INTERSECTION. AS I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN A WRENCH TOOL CAME UP AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I HAD TO PULL OFF IN A PARKING LOT BEFORE I GOT TO THE INTERSECTION. I DID NOT WANT MY VEHICLE TO STALL AND I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND LET IT SIT THERE. I THEN TOOK IT OUT OF NEUTRAL AND STARTED IT BACK UP. I COULD FEEL THE JERKING AND FELT LIKE I GOT REAR ENDED IN THE BACK. MY HEAD JERKED FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING WHILE IT KEPT JERKING.

NHTSA ID

11351312

Incident

Aug 25, 2020

RADIATOR FLUID EXPLODED ALL OVER ENGINE AND FLOOR MASSIVE LEAK . SEARCHED IT UP ON INTERNET AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE . I STARTED VEHICLE AND FLUID STARTED GOING EVERYWHERE .I DROVE MAYBE 10 FEET AND SHUT THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY . *TR

NHTSA ID

11327903

Incident

Jun 8, 2020

Mileage

36,300 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11327900

Incident

Jun 6, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

I HAVE NOW HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, AND PERSONALLY I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES SECOND CHANCES, THE FIRST VEHICLE THE SELLER SOLD ME HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH GAS TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT AND EXPOSED WIRES RIGHT NEXT TO IT SO THAT TRUCK WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB, NOW I HAVE A 2006 FORD EXPLORER WITH MORE ISSUES BUT AGAIN THE SELLER MAKES ITS SEEM LIKE A PRETTY RELIABLE CAR AND LIES ABOUT THE ISSUES, COVERS UP THE STORIES AND THANK GOD MY BUDDY IS A MECHANIC AND I TAKE EVERYTHING I BUY TO HIM, WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE CAR, (AS MANY PEOPLE NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ANYTHING AS SOON AS THEY HEAR A WEIRD NOISE) I TOOK IT TO HIM AND HE RIDES WITH ME AND NOTICES SOME MAJOR ISSUES, I TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND THE BACK SUSPENSION WAS GOING OUT (GOT THAT REPLACED) THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING , LIKE NOT ONLY WAS LIED TO BUT NOW HAVING TO PAY 2000$ JUST TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING, NOT SUITABLE FOR ME NOR ANYONE, I FEEL BAD FOR WHOEVER THIS SELLER ALSO LIES TO. AND I AM FULLY AWARE THAT SOMEONE COULD GET THEIR LICENSE REVOKED FOR STUFF LIKE THIS, IF ANYONE WITH CLEAR EYES CAN SEE THIS SELLER SCREWS PEOPLE OVER. I TEXTED THE GUY ABOUT RETURNING THE VEHICLE AND JUST TO GET MY MONEY BACK BUT YET AGAIN NO ANSWER.

NHTSA ID

11281755

Incident

Oct 31, 2019

Mileage

131,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER. I NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND PAID AAMCO ALMOST $4,000. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE RE-BUILT AGAIN BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BACK IN MARCH 2019, I TOOK IT BACK TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AUGUST 2019, I WENT BACK TO AAMCO AND THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID PACK IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. NOW, NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE SUV JERKS WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY BY THE MANUFACTURER, FORD! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS YEAR EXPLORER WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY! IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO SHELL OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK THEY MANUFACTURED WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS! SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID

11256530

Incident

May 1, 2017

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED TO HAVE THE PARTS STORE GET THE CODES IT WAS THROWING OUT. TWO OF THE CODES HAVE TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG HAVING A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM. NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE SO TRYING TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS. THE CODES ARE B1884 AND B2290.

NHTSA ID

11154863

Incident

Nov 29, 2018

Mileage

175,757 mi

WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE AND YOU GIVE IT GAS, IT SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AND SLIPS. I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS LEAVING WORK AND PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

11139859

Incident

Sep 25, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

1. REAR WIPER QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SLUGGISH AND NOW FROZE UP. HASN'T WORKED FOR A LONG TIME. 2. REPLACED RADIATOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. REPLACED THERMOSTAT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEN... 2018, SEPTEMBER,-- DISAPPEARING COOLANT FROM RADIATOR FOR LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO OBVIOUS LEAK. CAR OVER HEATED IN AUGUST BUT NO OBVIOUS LEAK. KEPT REFILLING... 3 DAYS AGO BOTTOM THERMOSTAT HOUSING SPRUNG A BIG LEAK AND CAR OVERHEATED MAJOR. REPLACED THERMOSTAT, AND FULL THERMOSTAT HOUSING. INTERNET RECOMMENDS UPDATING SOFTWARE BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING, BUT IS PRICED AT ABOUT $110 AT ALL DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ID

11133499

Incident

Oct 2, 2018

Mileage

175,800 mi

TRANSMISSION BEEN SLIPPING ON 2ND OR 3RD GEAR I BELIEVE I NEVER TOWED OR CARRY HEAVY LOADS AT ALL IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASE IT AND IT'S BEEN GETTING WORST SINCE

NHTSA ID

11129253

Incident

Mar 20, 2018

ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10- 15 MILES WITHOUT NOTICE

NHTSA ID

11121316

Incident

Aug 20, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL-2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED UP. MY GRANDKIDS RIDE IN THIS AREA AND I DESPERATELY NEED TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE

NHTSA ID

11103640

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

95,000 mi

2006 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) FAILS, BECOMES DEFECTIVE, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY POOR PERFORMANCE, ERRATIC RPM'S, LOOSE POWER, AND EVEN STALL. ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO THE ETB; CODES AND MECHANIC EXPERIENCE SUGGEST REPLACING ETB, ONLY TO HAVE SAVE ISSUE ARISE AGAIN IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS, IF NOT WEEKS, OR EVEN DAYS, AFTER REPLACEMENT. OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE "WRENCH" ICON (LIMP HOME) TURNS ON, AND, OFTEN, HOWEVER, NOT ALWAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. A RESTART OF VEHICLE, THE "WRENCH" ICON TURNS OFF, AND VEHICLE WILL DRIVE, HOWEVER, CONTINUES TO PERFORM POORLY. THE ABOVE OCCURS IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, AND TIMES OF DAY, OR YEAR, WITHOUT WARNING, NO MATTER THE DIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEMS ARE INCONSISTENT AND IRREGULAR. THE SYMPTOMS MAY OCCUR ON FIRST START IN DRIVEWAY, ON BUSY STREET, OR IDLING IN SCHOOL PICK-UP LINE. WHEN THE ETB IS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS MANUFACTURE INTENDED, DEMONSTRATING THE ISSUE IS WITH THE ETB, AS NUMEROUS MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED, FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO MANY NAME-BRAND AND LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS. THE REPLACED-ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES PERFORM WELL FOR INCONSISTENT TIME PERIODS NO MATTER OF THE MANUFACTURER. OEM ETB DO NOT SEEM TO LAST ANY LONGER THAN AFTER-MARKET ETB'S.

NHTSA ID

11102542

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

128,000 mi

SHIFT STUCK IN PARK AND KEYS STUCK IN IGNITION

NHTSA ID

11101620

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

214,000 mi

AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE, THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME IT'S BEING PARKED, MORE NOTICEABLE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. ALSO FREQUENTLY MISFIRES WHEN STARTING; DIAGNOSTICS USUALLY PRODUCE 8 - 13 CODES, NONE OF WHICH PRODUCE A COMPLETE FIX.

NHTSA ID

11092026

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

181,416 mi

DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS LOOSE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO TRACK. SEAT FEELS LOOSE AND MOVES FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON ACCELERATION OR BRAKING. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HOW DISTRACTING THIS IS. THE AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT SEEMS TO BE GETTING GREATER AND GREATER.

NHTSA ID

11089116

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11084010

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi