Complaints
788
per 10K Sold
44.0
US Sales
179,229
Crashes
18
Fires
8
Injuries
17
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2006 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1174 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:82,035 mi
Crash-related:3
#2114 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:37,873 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
#375 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Avg mileage:46,325 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 174 | 3 | — | 82,035 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 114 | 2 | 2 | 37,873 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 75 | — | 1 | 46,325 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 58 | — | 1 | 92,150 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 55 | — | 1 | 59,187 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 33 | — | 1 | 75,897 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 27 | 2 | — | 49,209 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 18 | — | — | 57,348 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 18 | 1 | — | 63,812 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 | — | — | 34,622 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 16 | — | — | 71,438 mi | |
| Brakes | 14 | — | — | 105,916 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 10 | — | — | 76,780 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 1 | — | 100,159 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 99,812 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | — | — | 51,040 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 1 | — | 78,914 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 1 | — | 96,833 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 5 | — | — | 36,667 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 1 | — | 22,655 mi | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | 40,150 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Transmission / Drivetrain
174
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,035
Automatic Transmission
114
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
37,873
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
75
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
46,325
Engine Problems
58
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,150
Engine & Cooling
55
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,187
Electrical Faults
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,897
Unintended Acceleration
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,209
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,348
Hydraulic Brakes
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,812
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,622
Gasoline Fuel System
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,438
Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,916
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,780
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,159
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,812
Seat-Related Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,040
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,914
Wheel Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,833
Instrument Cluster
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,667
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
22,655
Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,150
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
2006 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2006 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Ford Explorer has 788 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 174 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (174 complaints, avg 82,035 mi); Automatic Transmission (114 complaints, avg 37,873 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System (75 complaints, avg 46,325 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,073 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Ford Explorer include 18 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2006 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2006 Ford Explorer?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2006 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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