Overview & Reviews

Ford treats the Explorer to a number of significant improvements for 2006. Styling has been updated with a bolder grille treatment, a new tailgate and more attractive taillights. Interior furnishings get an upgrade, too, and additional sound insulation results in a supremely quiet cabin, while a stiffened frame and new shocks provide even better ride and handling characteristics than before. Ford tweaked the 4.0-liter V6 to cut smog-forming emissions by 74 percent and a new three-valve 4.6-liter V8 replaces last year's two-valve version. A six-speed automatic transmission is also new, and comes standard with the V8 engine. Trim levels are simplified, and front-seat side airbags, AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control are now standard on all Explorers.

• Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable and quiet interior with user-friendly layout, standard Roll Stability Control.

• Low resale value, lousy fuel economy.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 179.00

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  2006 Explorer Issues - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By DeJarnette23 - June 15 - 8:07 pm

  I bought this Explorer in 12/08 with only 20k miles and it was in pristine shape inside & out. Around 30k miles, I noticed that it would occasionally shift hard into reverse and finally took it in a month ago at 40k miles after reading many of these posts. Needless to say they had to rebuild the tranny, luckily it was under the drivetrain warranty. At 35k miles I replaced the radiator, which appears to be another huge issue with this model. As soon as the warranty is up, this thing is destined for sale or trade.

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  Transmission issues- BAD! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By DawnLowery - June 2 - 12:29 pm

  I have had plenty of Explorers but my 2006 limited was final purchase for awhile and the plan was to "drive it till the wheels fall off," I am not a heavy driver. My commute to work is about 20 miles total. I took the Explorer in for service after the second year of owning it. I was told I had "cracked hoses" and that was why my fluids leaked. I mentioned all the complaints that I saw on the internet with radiators, the ford garage did not know of any "problems." They fixed it and then the next summer it was leaking again. I was told that was "normal" in the summer and was talked out of making an appointment. Just after 36,000 miles I was then told my radiator was shot.

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  Radiator Problems - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Rod - May 14 - 7:47 am

  You will have radiator problems with this vehicle and all repair shops know this is a common problem. I thought I had transmission problems but discovered my radiator was empty and the fail safe mode caused shifting and engine performance changes as designed. This could be a nice car but Ford needs to recall the transmission, they are aware of numerous complaints with tranny and radiator problems.

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  Recall the Radiators! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By arichmond - April 27 - 3:43 pm

  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 warrantys.

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  No More Fords - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Jim - April 12 - 2:38 pm

  Here is the issue..bought new 2006 Ford Explorer thought Id 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 100s of problems with the transmission. Ford consumer services really doesnt care. I will never buy a Ford product again. I am shopping foreign SUVs now.

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  no problems here - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By jim g - March 16 - 5:44 pm

  This is my 3rd Explore and by far my best. Plenty of power and the ride is very smooth. Every feature works as expected. Very stable on the highway and easy to drive in town. No comparison to the explores of the early years.

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  Heap of JUNK!! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Fee - February 23 - 10:08 pm

  At this current time my Ford 2006 Explorer XLS is at the service department at the purchase dealership. This time it was returned for the recall on and having too heavily accelerate when in reverse and especially in drive. They think it maybe an engine or transmission problem at (108000 miles). The joke is the transmission is sealed and must be returned to the service department for servicing and of course money. Also, the radiator has been replaced twice. I am very afraid to maintain this vehicle due to the current and previous mechanical problems. This vehicle is American Made but it’s a heap of joke and I wonder was it assembled on Monday or Friday.

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  Black Beauty - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By BelAirCarGuy - February 6 - 5:46 am

  Bought this 2006 Limited V-8 with 32,000 miles to replace a 1996 Isuzu Trooper. The Explorer has great styling both inside and out, three rows of seats with power folding third row. Plenty of interior room, with lots of leg room in the second row. Good visibility, with a straight hood, so you can see the front corners of the vehicle. The ride is very smooth with the independent rear suspension, and interior quiet at highway speeds. I did purchase a extended warranty for three years/thirty-six thousand miles. Recently had a run through the snow with slippery road conditions. The automatic 4WD worked great, but also tried the "manual" 4WD option. No problems either. Overall, great!

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  Dealership Busted My Radiator - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Fix or repair daily - February 5 - 1:04 pm

  I have had a bad experience so far with the vehicle. Radiator problems started 10000 miles after owning! Major complaint is that I took it into the dealership (Hoffman Ford, Harrisburg PA) without leaks from the radiator, then they ran there pressure test, and all of sudden the leak appears out of no where gushing out the bottom. Now I looked over the radiator several times over a few weeks and didnt see a leak, in fact they didnt either when I had to them a few months ago, it was a hose at that time. But the smell persisted so I took it back. Bottom line, they performed another pressure test and now its costing me $1000 to have it fixed. What an insult!

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  disappointed ll - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Carl - January 11 - 11:06 am

  Huge Ford fan 50 years. At present own (4) this will be the last! Coolant problem, rear p windows motor replaced (3) times, now transmission will have to be replaced at 580,000 miles all on me no help from Ford! This car has not been driven hard, would think Ford would stand behind there product more!