Used 2006 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
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Worst Ford SUV
bad2006ford, 02/26/2011
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
35 of 40 people found this review helpful
In May 2006 I purchased a 2006 Ford Explorer brand new with only 56 miles. Two years into the owning the suv I had to replaced the tires with a new set. The sensor belt broke on one of the tires and the tire pressure light in the suv wouldn't go off. Then I began to experience problems with shift it was stuck in park as the recall letter describe the problems I had already experienced. Then my trans- mission went out. I paid to have the trans- mission replaced. Six months later the radiator and the motor went out. I contacted FORD, I towed my suv to the nearest dealer-ship where I left it for a year; because I refuse to pay for repairs and Ford refuse to take liability for my suv.
The straw that broke the camels back
Robert, 11/29/2017
updated 12/09/2020
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2006 Ford Explorer used in 2014. Clean car fax, no issues. 1 month after the purchase the water pump went out. No problem, replaced it and moved on. Two months later the thermostat went out. Had that replaced. A month later the radiator sprung a leak. Second radiator this car had replaced based on car fax history report. Then the heater hose blew, twice in 6 months. After all of that the car still would overheat at any given time. Then about one year after the purchase, the transmission would not engage in reverse all the time. Had to shut the engine down and try it again until it would engage. Two many other issues to list, but finally the straw that broke the camels back was a broken timing chain. Apparently when the timing chain breaks in this engine, you are looking at serious money to repair. Or a possibly replacing the engine. Had this auto for three years, put about 18k miles on it and had it towed to a mechanic at least five times. Never again. Sold it for what I could get.
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2006 Ford Explorer for sale near you
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- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,500132 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,998191 mi away
- XLT 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,390222 mi away
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Recall the Radiators!
arichmond, 04/27/2010
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car w/12k miles, @ 36,900 miles the radiator & thermostat went out only 900 miles over warranty the dealership declined to cover the repairs. @ 38k the radiator and thermostat went out again! Took it back to the dealership & once again they would not negotiate the manufacturer warranty because it was a few hundred miles over. Took it to another repair shop got it fixed AGAIN so about 5 grand later of repairs 3 thermostats 3 radiators later I hate my Ford and will never buy again. I think its a heap of crap that an american company will not supply a better warranty for us or at least give a little wiggle room on the warranty's.
Not radiator, check your head gasket
Tanner, 10/29/2010
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I went through 5 radiators before I figured out I had a blown head gasket. Now, my block is warped which happens to all 06-07 4.0's when they overheat.
Unbelievable
stobias, 10/25/2011
2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
6 radiators Ladies and Gents. You read that correctly - 6 radiators. Averaging about 1 radiator for every 20K miles. I brought a 2006 Explorer for my 16 year old son in 2008 - only had 26K miles on it. We have replaced the radiator 6 times since purchase at $700 a pop. This vehicle is so unreliable that it now sits in my driveway, I can't trust it to be a reliable vehicle for my son, who is now 2 hours away at college. Huge mistake on my part for buying it, huge mistake on Ford's part for not recalling it. BTW, tranny jerks when you shift into reverse.