Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven 100 yards before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.
I have now had 2 problems with this dealership, and personally I believe everyone deserves second chances, the first vehicle the seller sold me had major issues with gas tank had a hole in it and exposed wires right next to it so that truck was a ticking time bomb, now I have a 2006 Ford Explorer with more issues but again the seller makes its seem like a pretty reliable car and lies about the issues, covers up the stories and thank god my buddy is a mechanic and I take everything I buy to him, when I first received the car, (as many people not many people know anything as soon as they hear a weird noise) I took it to him and he rides with me and notices some major issues, I took it for a drive and the back suspension was going out (got that replaced) then the transmission slipping , like not only was lied to but now having to pay 2000$ just to keep the car running, not suitable for me …
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 $1000.00 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. …
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.
The car was sold with limited warranty, used, but had written cold start issue. The vehicle gets warm if warm outside and will just completely shut off anywhere at anytime. Riding down interstate, will lose power then shut off and leave you with no power steering to control vehicle going high speeds, will shut off in town multiple times upward of a dozen or more times while driving, 1st shop sent to said couldn't find issue second they sent me too said computer needed replacing. Either way I never would have purchased it without it being done had u known, my fiance is small and no way she could handle the vehicle if shutting down while driving. Its very dangerous and is going to get someone killed if not repaired and looked into more closely.
First problem started with the brain in the transmission area. Hesitating, lunging forward and tachometer jumping when taking off and during driving down the roads/highways. Had diagnostics tests done (March 3, 2016.) replaced brain and it stopped the hesitation, lunging and tachometer jumping=$2700.00. Next problem came along when we started hearing a ticking sound when it was started in the driveway(May 16, 2016.) come to find out the engine was blown which is now going to cost $6700.00. We have always maintained our vehicles with proper care and attention, but how can all these major things go wrong at only 108000 miles???
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The contact was able to accelerate into traffic however within moments, fire emitted from under the hood. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and advised that the fire originated from the right side of the engine bay area. The fire had spread to the windshield and dashboard as well. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who did not advise the contact on the cause of the engine failure that could have LED to the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. In addition, the contact noticed steam coming from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the compressor failed and the check engine indicator was disabled. As a result, the electronic control module caused the vehicle to malfunction. The compressor was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Engine complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 221 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 35% of the model year's 630 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (75 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Explorer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Ford Explorer, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Explorer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.