10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 64,397 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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.
- Lake Worth, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated, which indicated that it was deactivated even when a passenger was in the front seat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 107,522.
- Beaumont, TX, USA
Car shuts off while driving. This has happened about 6 times in the last two months. Always at speeds under 40 mph and always within 3 minutes of turning the car on. There's never any warning or smell or sound. Dash goes black, radio cuts off, power steering fails, and I have to coast to the side of the road. Obviously this is very frightening and I've been very lucky that it has not yet happened at lights or turns. My car guy is really good and he's at a loss. He thinks maybe it's a security system malfunction. I drive with children in the car and I can't afford a to buy a new car. I'm not sure what my other options are.
- Severna Park, MD, USA
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.
- Anniston, AL, USA
We recently bought our truck in March 2016 and since about April of 2016 the truck continuously shuts off, in traffic, on the highway, on residential roads..pretty much any and every where, it happens while driving and while idling. All power is lost including power steering. Sometimes it will shut off 2/3 times in a 5-10 minute span will driving. It has cut off on me twice while driving through intersections while I had my children in the car with me almost resulting in accidents both times. Sometimes while driving it loses power then suddenly regains power back and will continue to drive. This is an all round dangerous and potentially deadly situation! after doing some research it seems as if this is a very common problem with these vehicles. I've contacted Ford myself and so far they haven't issued a recall and are aware of this situation. Please help!!
- Deptford, NJ, USA
Takata recall
- Kissimmee, FL, USA
My 2006 Explorer has recently started shifting hard and sometimes will not shift into gear right away. When I pull up to a stop light or become stationary it will try to die and sometimes will. And will also not go into gear unless I give it a lot of gas and then it takes a minute to pick up complete speed. I have already had to replace multiple things on this vehicle and am seeing that others have been having the same trouble. Ford do the right thing and recall this vehicle. Also my interior lights have gone out and is not the fuse or bulbs.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
I bought a 2006 Explorer in 2010 and in 5 years I have had a sensor that's goes inside the transmission replaced, then transmission rebuilted, and the radiator replaced twice. Now that it's paid off leaking coolant again making it run hot. Now it saying check the charging system and stop on me on the freeway and now won't stay started. Thought I was doing everything right with the maintenance of the truck but it keeps breaking down. Also the wrench thing is on and won't stay started even while pressing the gas pedal to the floor all after I just had another sensor replaced. And besides the radiator leaking again that plastic thing they call a thermostat housing may be cracked. I feel I'm spending more money repairing things on this truck in 5 years that most people spend on a new car. If I had seen all the problems this model year was having would have went a different brand.
- Houston, TX, USA
Driving on a highway I-95 in Florida. The vehicle started to miss as we accelerated. We took the car into a Ford dealer service for plug replacement. This auto has a 4.6 litre V-8 engine. We were amazed to find that it will cost upwards of $1000 to replace 8 spark plugs. That cost esculates if any plugs are broken. The plugs are two piece construction and separate on removal. Only Ford can remove the plugs and more will be charged for any broken. It is impossible to remove these plugs without breakage. Ford recommends not changing the plugs until 100,000 miles. By that time you are out of guaranty and if they are hard to come out at 60,000 miles imagine if they are left in. These plugs are known to blow out of the head and I am sure there are many accidents. I am a disabled veteran 83 years old and a mechanical engineer. My wife and I are fishermen and need a vehicle to bring our boat to water. We are avid Ford owners and are greatly dissapointed.
- Jupiter, FL, USA
My car slowed down to a craw in the highway and had to limp home at very low speed almost caused a crash.
- Milton, MA, USA
In the last 2 years I have continued to have problems with this vehicle which has cost me a lot of time and money. Similarly to the majority of the complaints listed the vehicle jolts and hesitates while in motion. I have been to repair shop more times than I can count.... and not even the technicians at Ford seem to know what to do as I continue to have the same issue. On my last visit to the shop ( a week ago) I was told that there was a problem with the computer which works like "the brain of the truck" but they couldn't figure it out so then I was encouraged " to look at "something new(er)". I questioned why I should be doing that when the vehicle has one 93K miles on it.... and why would I buy another Ford vehicle when they couldn't fix or figure out what was going on with the one I have!!!!"??" based on the number of complaints directly about this same issue, I am confident that there is a larger problem of which Ford is aware and refuses to address. I am afraid every time I drive as I do not know or have much confidence that it will operate as intended. After calling Ford's customer relations center, I was told that my only option was to take it to the for repair shop even if they did not know and has made it clear that then cannot identify of fix the problem.
- West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Engine service light (throttle control) came on along with service indicator (wrench). I stopped at service station and was told (after a diagnostic) that the problem was related to the electronics in the throttle control and that it would need to be replaced.
- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
Same as a bunch of complaints about transmission lunges hard jolt when shifting, wrench light comes on and off regarding the 2006 Ford Explorer, now they are telling me that I need to get a new transmission that will be $3500 aprox. I have done some research and there are a lot of complaints on this issue. Please do something!! I can't afford this an have to borrow family money to get back on the road.
- Eliot, ME, USA
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 for the repair.
- Fort Montgomery, NY, USA
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.
- Tigard , OR, USA
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?
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
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
- Joppa, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that her vehicle stalled while she was driving 50 mph. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated there was no failure. Neither the dealership or manufacturer were contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the currently mileage was 35,000.
- Hawthorn, NJ, USA
Ford 2006 eddie bauer Explorer. Driving vehicle and at a stop at a stop light the ABS light turned on with rough left to right shifting of the vehicle as if it was being shaken in an earthquake. When the light turned green and I stepped on the accelerator it would not go. Numerous loud clicking was heard and the shaking continued. The vehicle started to move slow and I pulled over and turned the vehicle off for about 7 minutes. I restarted vehicle and ABS light, clicking ang violent left to right shaking continued. The Ford dealership was a block away and I proceeded to dealership at about15-20 miles per hour. As I proceeded the wrench light came on followed by the rsc light. It was a very dangerous situation as I was in traffic. The dealership reported that it was an ABS tone ring that caused the malfunction and that for some reason the cluster and compass had malfunctioned causing the other lights to illuminate. The total cost is$1300 for repair and this was over two weeks ago still have not received vehicle. I highly suspect that the related cluster malfunction is related to supposed toe ring malfunction as dealership has been very iffy about the repair and have avoided my phone calls requesting update. Vehicle has about 46000 miles and is still under warranty, but dealer states all malfunctions are not covered under warranty.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
- Greenbrier, TN, USA