The 2006 Ford Explorer has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 199,942 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 788 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY05V5200002005-11-09199,942 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence
AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN
174
3crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
114
2crashes2fires2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
75
1fires
ENGINE
58
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
55
1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
33
1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
27
2crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
22
1crashes1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
18
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints788
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then i’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the egr valve, mass air flow sensor and the egr…”
“Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then i’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the egr valve, mass air flow sensor and the egr…”
“Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then i’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires as well as another set of o2 sensors and the egr valve, mass air flow sensor and the egr…”
“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…”
“This transmission should be recalled!!!! The reverse band breaks and is a known issue for this transmission!! No warning just went to reverse and nothing! Upon research this has been a known issue since day one!!”
“Transmission”
“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.…”
“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.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Ford Explorer as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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