This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Ford Explorer steering problems
severe Owners of the 2006 Ford Explorer have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Explorer | 15 |
| 2006 Explorer (this page) | 9 |
| 2007 Explorer | 10 |
| 2008 Explorer | 13 |
| 2010 Explorer | 4 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT POP/CLUNK NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My Ford explorer xlt 2006 had a delayed delivery date to me for 2 days due to a "bad cluster" on start up. The truck was repaired and I picked it up on november 1, 2005. This vehicle is leased. There was a recall for the windshield wipers which I had repaired on december 8, 2005. On december 9, 2005 while I was driving with my two young children in the truck I pulled out of a parallel parking…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 91,917 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Explorer.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.