Used 2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A) Consumer Reviews
Used Explorer for sale
Original owner of Second Limited
Steve, El Cajon, CA, 04/26/2016
updated 05/01/2020
Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Wife and I Leased an exact model as the one we have had since 2006. Turned the Leased one in and bought the '06 we have now. Wife has been the primary driver of the vehicle and it just turned over 86,000 miles. The Custom Carpeted Floor Mats were covered with Clear Plastics mats the same day she got it, so the floor mats have never had shoes on them and the ones in the 3rd row have never even feet on them as nobody ever has been in those seats! The Rear Air is mostly used to keep groceries cool while getting them home and after 11 years, blows just as icy cold as the Front Dual Controlled Unit! The Rear Entertainment System is still a good diversion from the heat or when hiding from the Honey Do List! The greatest thing so far is that we STILL have NOT had to replace the Brakes OR Suspension items. Had the Dealership go ahead and do the 100K mile service since the years are causing issues with seal and gaskets, causing lights to come on. Did have to replace the Radiator as the neck just finally gave up. The battery is on its grandson and that is about all for major issues. Had to replace a dead driver's side window motor last year. At this point, we are considering getting a new vehicle and had thought about getting rid of the Explorer BUT, would still need a second vehicle and since we already OWN this one and with gas prices having dropped, it is MORE likely we will just keep it. Have shown the wife every SUV/Crossover on the market, even her beloved Explorers (She has had 3 all together) and while she DOES love the New Explorer, she has become infatuated with the New Edge! Either way, I look forward to keeping this Explorer for a good long time to come! ADED October 26, 2016: STILL have this Explorer. Just turned over 94,000 miles and STILL going strong. Have the original Brakes and Shocks on vehicle and just now starting to look at replacing the shocks at next tire purchase, early next year or when we hit 100,000 Miles. Still a daily driver and has become our only vehicle for the past 7 months. May purchase a new vehicle next year as my wife will be retiring then. Wll keep this Explorer as a back up and a stylish way to go to the Garden shop or Lowes as well as getting around town for the weekly trips. STILL get looks and great comments about the way it looks.....Mostly garaged even at work and when shopping. Wife is torn between a new one and going to a nice coupe or sedan. More to come. 4/26/17.....Just had the Explorer in the shop (Ford) for its 100K Check up. STILL has just under that (99,300 miles) and STILL has Original Brakes, Shocks and EVERYTHING STILL works. Only thing they addressed during service was the Transmission having a slight hesitation from 1st to 2nd gear....FIXED! Now with the Wife retiring, it will get driven even less with the RETIREMENT CAR having been purchased this month. Going to continue to drive this vehicle for a few more years. Nice to know we have Multiple Standing Offers for it when we are ready. 10/27/17.....Just turned 100,700 miles....have stopped driving our Explorer as ofter....Wife finally retired in May. Looked at New 2017 Explorers and after careful thought, decided we just do not need a larger vehicle and made the choice to go Luxury Sedan. Kia Cadenza is my Wife's new baby. Her old one is now relegated to having to be outside and under a car cover for the first time since we bought it. Will likely be selling this amazing vehicle early next year.......New tires, ORIGINAL SHOCKS and BRAKES (and still in great shape). The only two issues with the entire vehicle as of today......Right, Rear Seat will not go down any longer and the 6 CD Changer has stopped ejecting/loading. Ford wants 800 for the radio and maybe 250 - 300 for the seat. Likely will not fix before selling. Finally sold this vehicle, in January of 2020. Had 102,850 miles and the same listed defects. On Inspection, passed Smog, and only thing noted was a future need for brakes. Got $6,500 on the spot with $200 due for registration. Hated to see it go, but it has another entire life ahead of it, with someone who is gonna be driving it daily!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I guess I am not alone
danakay, Redmond, WA, 09/08/2011
Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I went online today to look at transmission costs for my 2006 Explorer and I found this review. I am sitting here feeling a little screwed over right now. I bought the car with less than 20.000 miles on it because I loved my old Expedition which had over 200,000 miles on it. I had no problems with it other than replacing a transmission around 160,000 to be expected. Now,with my Explorer I have had to buy a new radiator (under 100,000 miles), replace a transfer case (under 100,000 miles), and now my transmission is out(120,000). Sadly, these look like common problems. Sorry to say, this is my third Ford and my last one.
2006 Ford Explorer for sale near you
Showing 3 of 79 listings
- Eddie Bauer 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,99918 mi away
- Eddie Bauer 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,49827 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,99928 mi away
See all 79 listings
If you got a V8 you thought it was great
Ron B, Pottstown, PA, 02/13/2022
Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The 2006-2010 Ford Explorer V8's were the best Explorers ever made. Very capable and comfortable. I purchase mine used with 80,000 miles on it in 2016. I change the oil every 5,000 miles with full synthetic. The spark plugs were done before I got it but changed them anyway knowing that they tend to get stuck in the head but no longer a problem with the newer design spark plug. Also as most people have said, I had a bad radiator as well and fixed it but it hasn't leaked since. All said and done I have spent about $200 in repairs in the past 6 years for things other then brakes and oil changes. I have put about 50,000 miles on it, towed many times with it and filled the cargo bay with a literal ton of stuff. It has been down to the beach in the sand and up to the mountains in the dirt. It can fit 7 people if you want which comes in handy sometimes. I will be needing to replace my exhaust manifold gaskets, kind of annoying, but really the "major" repair. It's just a pain in the butt on these. Even knowing this it is still a great vehicle. I know someone who has over 300,000 miles on theirs and still loves it. I will say with rising gas prices this vehicle will not be very economical in that aspect but that's not why I bought it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
No More Fords
Jim, 04/12/2010
Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Here is the issue..bought new 2006 Ford Explorer; thought I'd buy American; big big mistake; numerous mechanical problems latest is the transmission. (Numerous problems with Radiator has leak-could be another $1,000.) Dealer advises could be low of $1,700- $3,000. to repair/replace. Many Internet sites from buyers suggest this is a manufacturing defect; some suggest the updated operating software could have helped; both for the trans and the radiator. SUV has only 29,000 miles on it; check the internet 100's of problems with the transmission. Ford consumer services really doesn't care. I will never buy a Ford product again. I am shopping foreign SUVs now.
2006 Explorer -- reinvention and perfection
Jon, 12/29/2005
Ford Explorer Limited 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Smooth running 3V V8 has very long legs, with an endless flow of seamless power. Smooth acceleration and braking. Interior quality on par with the F150 though the door panels could be designed a little better as the handles are hard to reach when opening the door. Very impressed with the overall quality of the interior though it does not compare with say, a BMW M5. The ride is very compliant, much better than previous years and the chassis seems much stiffer and quieter. It seems remarkably nimble for such a large vehicle, making it very easy to drive. The 2006 Explorer is head and shoulders above previous model years. It is the best Explorer yet, and is nearly perfect.