2006 Ford Explorer: engine failure

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Engine · 150,000 miles · GA

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 vehicle was driven 100 yards before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a sound outside the vehicle as if two metal objects were grinding against each other. The service wrench warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the 4-wheel drive, traction control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated continuously and the brakes seized. The brakes resumed normal operation after numerous attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Brakes · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the brakes seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact shut off the vehicle and was able to restart it five minutes later. The failure occurred on five different occasions. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 106,000 miles · LA · crash · 1 injury

I was in the process of parking my 2006 ford explorer xlt, pulling very slowly into my parking spot, when the engine started roaring, it lunged, hit a parking curb and then thrust into a concrete pillar in a parking garage. The airbag deployed and engine died. My vehicle was totaled! I received burns from the air bag chemicals on both of my hands. I'm still shaken up about it. Neck is sore and lower back hurts.

Filed Aug 17, 2012 · Engine · 50,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The contact was able to accelerate into traffic however within moments, fire emitted from under the hood. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and advised that the fire originated from the right side of the engine bay area. The fire had spread to the windshield and dashboard as well. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who did not advise the contact on the cause of the engine failure that could have LED to the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2012 · Engine · 554,000 miles · SC

Engine lost power and began vibrating. Engine driven to dealership and engine light came on. Dealership states "seized" spark plug but because part is defective wants to replace all eight plugs. Unable to quote cost as plugs are known to break off during removal. Plug replacement recommended orginally to be 100000 now dropped to 60,000. Service writer stated "you must have had someone messing with your spark plugs". Told him no one has serviced my car but his dealership. Special tool designed by ford to remove these plugs. Cost cannot be quoted ($946 for one plug changeout plus full service fuel service prior to removal to "loosen" up carbon buildup which they say causes the problem with plug breakage) but cost runs into thousands of dollars and shavings from reboring the plugs for replacement of different design plug can cause engine to be damaged. Car purchased new in 2006. Only driver. Only dealer serviced. This is a terrible problem.

Filed Apr 18, 2012 · Engine · 43,000 miles · WA

Separation of radiator ... Between plastic top and bottom tanks with aluminum radiator grill. This was the first replacement with cost $460 radiator, $308 labor estimated by ford. Environmental issue and safety issue with engine failure/transmission failure possible. Problem can occur anywhere/anytime; I.e., within traffic situation on multilane interstate rush hour. (43000 miles on odometer, first time.)

Filed Apr 18, 2012 · Engine · 83,000 miles · WA

Separation of radiator ... Between plastic top and bottom tanks with aluminum radiator grill. This is the 2nd replacement with cost $520 radiator, $300 labor estimated by ford. Environmental issue and safety issue with engine failure/transmission failure possible. Problem can occur anywhere/anytime; I.e., within traffic situation on multilane interstate rush hour.

Filed Mar 20, 2012 · Engine · 66,000 miles · FL

Thermostat/radiator failed causing entire engine failure. There has been several other complaints like this about the explorer. My children and I were in the vehicle when it malfunctioned without any warning a big cloud of smoke and the vehicle shut off in the middle of heavy traffic this could have caused a very serious accident. This issue with the radiator needs to be addressed.

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

This 2006 explorer eddie bauer car started making roaring sound when trying to accelerate. Tried backing off the accelerator as much as possible. Thermostat gauge temperature went to hot and displayed red and A/C started blowing cold air. Thermostat then went from hot to cold multiple times. Checked coolant levels and they were fine. The engine and car finally shut down completely and the car then overheated. Coolant blew out at the hose at the thermostat. Towed the car to a nationwide repair shop where they replaced thermostat and pressure tested cooling system but car will no longer idle and engine now has major problems. Towed the car to the ford dealership and they are now saying it may have a blown head gasket ($2200 or more) and or engine needs to be replaced ($5600). They are going to check with ford to see if they can provide assistance. This vehicle has 68,000 miles on it (less than 15,000/year) and should not need a new thermostat and engine. There appears to be a major problem with this year/make with radiators/thermostat issues. Please issue a recall.

Filed Oct 28, 2011 · Engine · NY

My 2006 ford explorer has 44,000 miles on it and needs a new radiator,after checking complaints online for the same problem, I have found many complaints about this issue.I believe ford needs to recall this vehicle for the radiator issue. The leak from the radiator can seep into the ground and into the underground water system,not to mention any animals that would drink from the puddles left behind from this very toxic anti-freeze. The replacement of this item cost almost $1200 at a ford dealer,these trucks are only 5 years old and I know people who have replaced 3 or more radiators since they purchased their explorers. It seems to be a bigger problem for the 2006 model when ford changed the radiator to plastic. I wonder how many accidents where caused when the radiator failed and seized the engines while people where driving?

Filed Jul 16, 2011 · Electrical · MD

The issue being, digital odometer failure,and ford unable to provide replacement instrument cluster component. Now we are contributing to the polution of the environment as I am unable to monitor my engine performance, have no idea when to change oil, contributing to premature engine failure, and unable to have my vehicle inspected, rendering my vehicle inoperable