YearToAvoid

2006 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA has 242 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Ford Explorer, 38% of all 630 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest engine complaint count among 21 Explorer model years. These complaints report 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 50,000 miles.

Engine complaints
242
38% of 630
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Ford Explorer engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 7, 2006, latest Nov 5, 2024.

2006 Ford Explorer engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter182006 Q22008 Q12009 Q42011 Q32013 Q22015 Q32017 Q3
242 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q2 to 2024 Q4; peak 2010 Q1 (18).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200586 (17%)
  2. 2006242 (38%)
  3. 200747 (23%)
  4. 200830 (20%)
  5. 20099 (27%)
  6. 201031 (27%)
  7. 2011113 (9%)
  8. 2012103 (12%)
  9. 2013316 (14%)
  10. 2014272 (16%)
  11. 2015299 (17%)
  12. 2016530 (22%)
  13. 2017317 (19%)
  14. 2018129 (18%)
  15. 201926 (9%)
  16. 2020162 (13%)
  17. 202169 (16%)
  18. 202238 (14%)
  19. 202313 (12%)
  20. 20241 (5%)
  21. 202514 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have engine problems?
NHTSA has 242 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Ford Explorer, 38% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 50,000 miles.
Which Ford Explorer year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Ford Explorer has the most engine complaints (530), compared with 242 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Ford Explorer?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Ford Explorer is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.