HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTING WITH A LIFTER STUCK IN MOTOR AT 296 MILES, TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 15,700 MILES. BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED SINCE IT WAS NEW, OVERHEAD CONSOLE HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE, SATELLITE RADIO WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. DOOR RUBBED ON RUNNING BOARD, NOW GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED UNDER 10 MILES PER GALLON. 14 TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP SO FAR AND STILL NOT ALL IS FIXED. *TR
2006 ford Explorer engine problems
moderate 185 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
185
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
RADIATOR FAILURE. THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. SEE ODI NUMBER 10439878. REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE AND RADIATOR IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. (COSTING OVER $6000). PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2007 THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. NOW, IN DECEMBER 2013 WITH 114000 MILES, THE RADIATOR IS LOSING COOLANT AND THE ENGINE SMELLS OF COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. MOST LIKELY THE RADIATOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TR
WE BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2012 WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. DURING THE FIRST MONTH, NOTICED ENGINE SLIPPING (USUALLY AROUND 45 MPH). CHECKED FLUIDS, ADDED COOLANT AND NAIVELY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, AND IT SEEMED TO FOR ABOUT A MONTH. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE SINCE THEN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDING COOLANT AND DRIVING VERY CAREFULLY TO AVOID …
THIS 2006 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER CAR STARTED MAKING ROARING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. TRIED BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THERMOSTAT GAUGE TEMPERATURE WENT TO HOT AND DISPLAYED RED AND A/C STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR. THERMOSTAT THEN WENT FROM HOT TO COLD MULTIPLE TIMES. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS AND THEY WERE FINE. THE ENGINE AND CAR FINALLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AS IT PROCEEDED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICL…
ENGINE WAS RACING, TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS PROGRAMMABLE TRANSMISSION,COST $100 TO DIAGNOSE AND RESET PROGRAM. OK FOR A WHILE, STARTED RACING AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, SAID IT IS LEAKY RADIATOR, IT WAS BONE DRY AND IT WAS THE ENGINE FAN RACING NOT THE MOTOR. JUST PAST WARRANTY, NEVER RECEIVED EXTENDED WARRANT INFORMATION UNTIL JUST LAST WEEK,AFTER THE FACT. TAKING IT TO A DIFFERENT RE…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 185 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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