Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Ford Explorer has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 630 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E043000 AFTERMARKET SEAT COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V520000 WIPER MOTOR GREASE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 296 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 164 complaints
- Engine 58 complaints
- Electrical System 39 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 28 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 23 complaints
Of the 630 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 630 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Ford Explorer has a moderate number of complaints and a handful of recalls. The most frequent issue involves the powertrain, but complaints aren't overwhelming. Limited recall campaigns suggest there are no widespread defects but some concerns with aftermarket parts compatibility. Evidence on other common failures is sparse.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| powertrain | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | common |
| engine cooling | 90,000–130,000 miles | $500–$1,800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor inspection
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant system flush
- Brake fluid replacement
- Timing belt inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Delayed gear shifts
- Overheating engine
- Brake pedal softness
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.