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CarComplaints.com Notes: The previous generation of Explorer was so awful that the redesign in 2006 was greeted with much optimism. That didn't last long.

The transmission continues to be the Explorer's worst reliability problem. Owners report shifting hard & lunging, typically starting as low as 40k miles with a $1,600 average repair bill. On top of that, the radiator is prone to failure around 60k miles. Repairs for the radiator run $500 to $1,000 & many owners report they've had to replace the radiator multiple times for leaks, indicating a possible design defect in the OEM replacement parts.

Ford did make some significant changes to improve handling and safety. Electronic stability control was added in addition to side impact air bags, but beyond that this is a vehicle that should be avoided at all costs.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$110
Average Mileage:
56,500 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (23 reports)
  2. cleaned mass air flow sensor run techron additive (1 reports)
  3. replace throttle body (1 reports)
  4. use fuel with techron to clean the fuel injectors (1 reports)
2006 Ford Explorer engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Mar 102008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,650 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a follow-up to my previous post. My 2006 Ford Explorer saga lives on. Here we go...I had the vehicle recorder installed by Ford and after about two weeks, the vehicle stalled yet again at a stop light. The recorder button was pushed twice within 20 seconds of the vehicle stall and immediately the vehicle was returned back to the service department for review. Get this, I now have a Ford Zone Representative working with me to help resolve this issue and he just called me and informed me that he had a Ford Fuel Service Engineer visit the dealership to review the recorder readings and realized that when the recorder was installed, it was installed incorrectly therefore, the readings could not be read. Oh my!!! As the zone representative began explaining this to me with embarrassment, he then proceeded to ask me for my approval to have Fuel Service Engineer drive my vehicle with the recorder correctly installed for a week or two to see if the vehicle would stall again. He then proceeded to tell me that he authorized the dealership to install a new throttle body per my request. After much research and thanks to a young lady responding to her post here in this forum, I was found out that a Throttle Body issue is becoming more frequent in the Explorer. I spoke with the Ford Service Department and Throttle Body issues are VERY common in the F350s but to date, are very rare except in a few cases with the 2006-2008 Explorer. So to update, I will pick up the vehicle tomorrow with the vehicle recorder installed properly and will keep it installed for 1 month. I only hope the issue is resolved but only time will tell. I told the zone rep that if it stalls again, I will call him, drive it back to the service department, and they can keep it being it would be the fourth time in 3 months that they serviced this piece of junk for the same reason. California lemon law is 3 times therefore, I will request Ford trade in my model and provide me with a newer or equivalent model that does not stall. More to follow.

- Mark H., San Jacinto, CA, US

problem #5

Feb 222008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,550 miles

Oh, where do I start. I guess with at least I know now that I am not the only one with the frustrating issue. Purchase the 2006 Explorer in Oct 07 and had it in the dealership in November for 3 days, in December for 2 days, and now in January 08 for three days with absolutely no resolution. I have been working with the service manager at Goesch Ford and Ford Consumer Affairs (1-800-392-3673) and get this, Ford is going to install a vehicle recorder box that when the vehicle stalls, we are supposed to press a button and at that time, the recorder will record vehicle data 30 seconds before to 30 seconds after the stall. All this just because the system indicate NO negative PCM codes even though it stalls out periodically. Needless to say, I am researching the Lemon Law requirements (3 returns to the dealer with the same unresolvable issue constitutes a valid lemon law claim) and plan to talk with a lemon law attorney shortly as well. Ford seems to want to help but being it is my wife's car and she often travels with my 3 children, the car is definitely on its way out of my family. I will keep you all posted with the details of the next visit to the dealership..

- Mark H., San Jacinto, CA, US

problem #4

Dec 072007

Explorer XLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,694 miles

The SUV stalled 5 times within 8 days. The first time I thought it was something I did. 7 days later #2 & 3, I got mad because it happened in a turn. #4 & 5 happened waiting in line at the Ford Dealership Service line. The fix took no time.

- c34tc, Shreveport, LA, US

problem #3

Aug 102007

(reported on)

Explorer EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,420 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had take my car to the dealer services dept twice, due to car loose power when it goes from 2n gear to 1rst gear, up to the point that stop in the middle of the road. I almost got kill this morning with a truck from behind. Every time I take the car they tell me they can not find anything wrong. the first time they changed the alternator, second time they could not find anything,(I GOT CAR FROM THE DEALER YESTERDAY AFTERNOON 08/9/2007) thIS morning car stopped in the middle of the road. I mentioned to the guy about this web site, and then they admitted to know something about this problem, but there is not solution yet. He asked to bring the car on Monday 08/13/2007. Let see what happened.

- Marta R., Miami, FL, US

problem #2

Sep 242007

(reported on)

Explorer EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,725 miles

Start a Lemon Law Application...Since I took the car 3 times, and they could not fix the problem, I just sent my complaint to FORD, seeking the Lemon Law. I am waiting for the answer, in the meantime I am dealing with the problem of the engine going off from 4 to 6 times in period of 15 miles everyday back & forth. It is very sad feeling, paying so much money for a car that it is not worth....

- Marta R., Miami, FL, US

problem #1

Feb 252007

(reported on)

Explorer XLS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

I bought this explorer form world ford in Kendal Florida. The car will stall after coming to an idle. Plus I'm getting the jolting from the transmission when after stopping and you accelerate. I thought it was because it was new but i see it's not. I've been to the dealer service department twice but they said their is nothing was wrong with it... I'm going to take it back in one more time after that I'm going to declare it a lemon.

- Joe R., Miami, FF, US

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