This is the second replacement radiator that I have had done on May 6,2010 replaced the radiator with the radiator Ford suggested. It is now being replaces today again just 7 months later. I have a mechanic that is doing the work for the second time at a cost of $650.00. This is not a mechanic issue it is a part issue. I contacted Ford about this an they claim it is a isolated problem,evidently they have not visited the numerous sites that have complaints about this problem. Its time for Ford to step to the plate and find a solution to this - a 4 year old vehicle should not need multiple radiators.

Kevin Richards

Saugus, Ma. 01906

I hope this ends up with the existing 78 complaints on this make/model and issue. I am currently attempting to find a fix for this issue by following the other symptoms preceding the leaking radiator. Before the leak appeared, there was a loud fan-like roar coming from the engine. Which, it seems, 90% of you seemed to experience as well. I found a post on another site from last year that found a fix for the loud roaring (NOT the leaky radiator) that I hope will lead to the fix of the leaky radiator. The fix states that the fault lies with the thermostat. The faulty thermostat was misinforming the PCM that the trans was overheating and locking up the fan clutch to compensate. Replacing the thermostat fixed that issue.

In my case, I heard a roaring the first couple of months and suddenly one day my engine overheated. Upon taking it to a Ford dealership, they told me my radiator had a leak and needed to be replaced. I declined and took it to a mom and pop shop who told me my radiator was solid and they couldn't detect a leak. I went on with the loud roaring and began checking the coolant tank levels on a regular basis. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later the leaking began. I have to refill my tank every couple of days but I'm fine with that until we ALL get to the bottom of this.

Keep in mind I am partially clueless as to how the coolant system works, BUT I have a theory. I believe that a faulty thermostat was shipped with all of our Fords. When the thermostat finally faults, we continue to use the vehicle as it forces the cooling system to overact - the fan comes on and coolant is forced through the system. For weeks, months, maybe even years the cooling system has fluid being forced into it because the faulty thermostat is telling the PCM that the engine is too hot. So when the car is parked, the fluid leaks from hoses and a radiator that are bursting with fluid and now have cracks.

I appreciate other, more knowledgeable minds amending this possible solution as I am in now way a mechanic, just a mechanical engineering student.

I am getting my thermostat replaced tomorrow and I will update as follows. I strongly encourage each of you to file a complaint with Ford Motor Company and your state DMV. If we find a fix, perhaps we can push Ford far enough to issue a recall.

In 1 year and 5 months I have had to replace the radiator 2 times. The first time they gave me a break by reducing the charge and it cost me $400.00. It went out again recently and cost me $719.00. The guy who put it in,ordered it new and tested it before putting it in and it was bad!!!!! He had to order another one and it's working for now.

I worked for a car part company for many years and if there was even 1 bad part they would recall boxes of them back to be reworked.

Apparently, Ford doesn't do this with the company they are getting their p[arts from!!!!!!!!!

I thought I was the only one having this bad luck until a friend got me on this website and I now see there'smany of us in the same situation. It's time Ford deals with this problem!!!!!!!

(800) 241-3673 -- THis is the number where you can register complaints with Ford.

After 10 great years with my 96 Explorer (bought used), I finally broke down and bought a new (used) 2006 Explorer. What a mistake. I should have put $2-3k in my old one and driven it for another 5 years. Six months after I bought it I had to replace the radiator for the first time. 14 months after that, it's back in the garage with a new radiator on the way.

I'm writing not only to share in everyone's pain, but to encourage you to do something about it and file an official complaint with Ford. Will it do any good? Probably not. But guess what, because this problem doesn't result in injury/death, your local "7 on your side" type newscast will never be interested. The only dim hope is that if enough people file complaints, maybe there would be a recall (in which case, if I understand recalls correctly, you coudl seek reimbursement for any radiator you ahd to replace). This is highly unlikely, but if everyone files a complaint everytime this happens, who knows.

I'm having the exact same problem. My engine overheated yesterday, I checked the coolant level, and it was low, well almost gone. I filled it, and drove it again and it over heated almost immediately. I took it to the dealership, they said its the radiator...They are fixing it right now. I was just on line and looking at if I was able to price it out find a cheaper radiator somewhere else on line and I found this site. I cant afford this crap again, we had the same thing happen with a Chevy a couple years back, it was an Impala we got it new then it started having coolant problems over and over again we. Of course we had it paid off and it sprung a leak again, got rid of that hunk of junk. The chevy leaks were in the head gasket, they were around 750 to get replaced, we did it twice, the third time we traded it in while it was leaking. Now I find out about this repeat radiator failure problems with the Ford, what the H! this is unbelievable. I don't know what to do. I love that car, its great, drives great, looks great, but come on. There was actually a class action law suite with the Chevy, we got back 400 for our trouble, which was just a fraction of what we had to pay all together for the coolant system. Save your receipts and your proof of payments (canceled check, or credit card statements) thats what they wanted when you filled out the paperwork to get your portion of the Chevy DexCool class action law suite!!!

gk

In Jan. 2010, I had the radiator replaced on my explorer for $1200 at the dealer. Now 9 months later, I'm having to have it replaced again. It's under the 12 month, 12K mile warranty, but they also want to charge me $369 for the thermostat housing & gaskets. This in addition to $306 I paid last week for them to do a diagnostic on the transmission. When I start researching, I find it's a common problem with '06 explorers. This is ridiculous! I feel like I'm getting the runaround. Next time it's Honda or Toyota for me. Why doesn't Ford acknowledge this is a recall issue and do something about it?

On the 7th or 8th radiator now, (lost count) lucky the parts stores sell them with a lifetime warranty. I have tested over 4.0 volts in the coolant and can't find any ground problem. Grounding the radiator makes it worse. Ford's flashing of the PCM has no effect either unless you have to pay for it. But I'm getting real good at changing them without disconnecting the AC condenser, just unbolt and twist the left support cap clockwise (looking from the front) and it'll pop right out...easy...NOT! Hope this helps.

Bought our ford explorer late 2006 first year transmission wouldnt go into to gear $500 dollars later the radiator starts leaking now engine lights on cause the gas cap wont seal. wow think the ford execs are readin these complaints as they're flyin in their private jets. No recalls just pony up the dough!!!!!! I can understand if a car starts havin problems, but when its this widespread own up to it and fix em. You didnt have a problem askin for the 25 grand when it was a great new car. You made a mistake Oh Well just fix it. Maybe if your honest about it you can get some repeat customers. OOOOps that might cut into your fat bonus.

While coming home from the ford dealership after having them check out everything on the explorer (check engine light kept coming on from the gas tank cap not sealing good)I had them do an oil change and full routine maintance. They kept it several days (good thing they give loaners) on the way home I notice my water temp was rising pull over and had to add water to raditatior. Less than three miles from the first time I stopped I had to stop again light came on and water temp extreame. I waited for It to cool down added more water in to the overflow and the raidator and prayed real hard that i would make it home less than a mile.

Next day put stop leak and went to the repair shop he said this was common in the 2006 explorers. replace it. two weeks later had to go back to the shop where they replaced the first raditator and they had to replace another. The repair shop said the place where he gets the raditator from had 4 raditator in stock whey he replace the previous one and they had ran out and had a backorder of raditators I had to wait two days for them to get a new shipment. What a pain in the A** The repair shop told me if it happens again to get rid of that peace of crap. Guess what we get back from a 300 mile trip with no problems. Two days later we have puddles and check engine light and water pouring out of the right side again.

When I bought this vehicle in September, 2006 and had it about a year with warranty still intact, keep smelling this sweet smell, took it back to the dealership about three times and kept taking it back, couldn't find anything. Of course, when the warranty went out, they found out it was the radiator. I had to get it repaired with my money 450, less than a year later, still problem, then I was informed this was an ongoing problem and if I wanted it covered after they repaired it this time, I had to get the PCM reprogrammed at a price of over 200.00, this really pisses me off because they knew all of the time that there was a problem with this, I am paying a car note and repairing this piece of crap and after I got the radiator repaired, this stupid vehicle started lurching and kicking and jumping and spewing transmission fluid all over the place, so now another added problem. WHEN DOES IT END?????

It's amazing how I share the same story with SO many strangers. I just want to say I'm sorry that ya'll had to go through this too! First off, I have 5 kids. So, just going to trade a vehicle isn't easy especially when I need a seven -seater and a good deal. My truck started going out when we were visiting my parents in NC. Conveniently, after I had my baby,while we were visting was when the heater decided it wanted to go out. We took it to the service station and they said that we needed a new radiator. We got that done. 3 months it was doing the smae thing so when we took it to a service station where WE live, they said that the previous service men gave us a "Cracked radiator",so they reimbursed us to get it fixed..when 1 month later,the thermometer went out and the radiator had cracked again from over heating. they ended up taking it to a ford dealer and told us that the engine had went out,it needed a new hose, new thermometer, battery, the works! So it was in the shop for about 6 months to come up with the money to replace what FORD called "a almost 6000 dollars to fix everything job" BECAUSE of the radiator going out,it cause other problems. My husband eventually found a better price and when my husband called Ford to let them know, the manager had an attitude with my husband. Now, a year later.....Guess what? The fan is blowing loud and when we took it to go see why....(Besides the fact that it was doing that in the first place before everything went to hell) we took it to the people that replaced the one from NC and they said that it was a summer thing...that the fan does that....BS! I'm willing to join ANYONE that can start off a petition or class lawsuit for the 4500 loan that we are STILL paying off because Ford is too lazy to help their customers.

WOW!!! I just discovered this website! I brought my 2006 ford explorer back from the local dealer ship today. I took it just to have them TRY to tell me why i am on my 4TH RADIATOR with less than 75k miles on my vehicle and yet I HAVE ANOTHER LEAK! End result of the day.... They could not tell me why i have already went through 4 radiators and need a 5th.. however, they need to charge me over $1,100.00 to get ANOTHER new radiator, a water pump, a gasket, and a thermostat..

2 days ago i called Ford Motor to open a case and let them know i was getting ready to take my car to a local dealer... they gave me a case # and said to call back when the dealer tells me the problem.. I plan to call in the morning! However, after finally having enough since to do some homework and discover this site and see that MANY other people are having the same problem..... I doubt that ford will do much to help from what I'm reading.

I think it's time one of us tries to get someone like Fox News to look into all these complaints and do a story on FORD and their faulty vehicles.... Anyways,,, I will be calling back tomorrow... If by some chance Ford is actually willing to make this problem right, i will let you all know...