2006 Ford Explorer: engine overheating

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · Transmission, Visibility · 175,800 miles · ID

1. Rear wiper quit working several years ago. Sluggish and now froze up. Hasn't worked for a long time. 2. Replaced radiator several years ago. Replaced thermostat several times over the years. Then... 2018, september,-- disappearing coolant from radiator for last 6 months with no obvious leak. Car over heated in august but no obvious leak. Kept refilling... 3 days ago bottom thermostat housing sprung a big leak and car overheated major. Replaced thermostat, and full thermostat housing. Internet recommends updating software because of overheating, but is priced at about $110 at all dealerships.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Engine · 25,000 miles · AL

Since purchasing this vehicle new in january 2007 the radiator has been replaced twice. Now, in december 2013 with 114000 miles, the radiator is losing coolant and the engine smells of coolant after driving. Most likely the radiator will have to be replaced for the third time.

Filed Aug 6, 2013 · Engine · 70,000 miles · DC

From july 5th to present my 2006 ford explorer truck was toed to the dealership 3 times. Each time it was for the same problem overheating. This has been a constant problem with this car since it was purchased in december 2005. The radiator has been replace twice, the transmission once, the throttle , etc. I have been told that now after the radiator was a replaced and the throttle, etc. At a cost of $2300.00.the car now needs a new engine and /or gaskets that need replacing. I cannot understand why a car with normal mileage, which was only involved in one minor fender bender.can need so much major work.

Filed Feb 8, 2013 · Engine · 38,000 miles · MO

While driving to florida from missouri, to take my kids to disneyworld, with a car that was well kept and relatively new, on the highway a few miles after pensacola, the vehicle overheated and stalled, so we had to stop on the side of the highway at night. Steam was coming out from a crack on the top of the radiator. I had to call for a towtruck and lost a couple of days of our vacation until the closest mechanic we found was able to replace the radiator with a new one from ford. I got stuck with a $1000 bill since the car was out of warranty. But that was none of my worries. The issue was that the car broke down in the middle of nowhere on a highway at night with a lot of speeding 18wheelers. At 70000 miles the incident happened again. The vehicle overheated and stalled on a short 30 mile excursion to branson missouri. The hilly highway leading to branson missouri is not the best place to break down. Opened the hood only to see the radiator steaming again. The car was towed again and fixed at a $1200 bill. The vehicle is a lemon and ford should be forced to buy it back or at least fix the problem permanently. It can break down anywhere anytime, and because the way it breaks down and stalls because of the overheating it can cause a really bad accident if you are unlucky enough.

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · CA

First incident occurred in early april 2012: my car was emitting a foul smell and overheating. Upon inspection, it was discovered that my radiator was leaking. I turned my vehicle into ford and it was replaced. Second incident occurred early-mid oct 2012: my car was jerking and the check engine light came on. It was taken to have the codes checked and it was indicated that I had 2-3 random "miss-fires" to my spark plugs. As this is normally an easy at-home fix, we were able to replace all the spark plugs. The issue with this incident was that in the process of removing the spark plugs, all but one broke in half. This is such a common problem that ford has designed and sells a specific tool to remove broken spark plugs. Once the tool was purchased, I was able to fix the problem and my car no longer jerked and the check engine light went off. Third incident occurred late nov 2012: vehicle started jolting and jerking excessively and check engine light came on. Feels like transmission is not engaging gears properly. After much research, I found that this is a common and major safety issue regarding this vehicle. A safety recall needs to be done imminently. Another issue, started in the end of 2011: when going from park to reverse or drive, stick shift will stick and I will have wiggle and pull hard to make it move.

Filed Jun 4, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 45,000 miles · IL

I discovered a leak in the radiator after noticing that the temperature gauge needle was bouncing around at an idle. After about a minute, the vehicle overheated and started steaming. We ended up having to have the radiator replaced at a cost of $600. (it was also over 90 degrees that day and I was stranded with two small children, the youngest was 4 months old.) then about a month ago, in may 2012, I was at a grocery store and when I went to enter the vehicle I noted a large puddle of antifreeze on the ground and it was dripping from the radiator. We had to have the radiator replaced, again at a cost of $600. The same mechanic repaired it both times and said it was the same issue as the first one. Now we are having transmission fluid leaking from the cooling line that leads from the transmission to the radiator. These incidents have caused us serious hardships financially and could have caused physical injury due to the fact that it was extremely hot out on both occasions and I had small children with me miles from home. I have already contacted ford motor company and they have declined to do anything about this issue. I am requesting, as are many others, that a recall be issued. And I also suggest that you research this problem on the internet as it is a major one. It is strange that ford changed the radiator in the 2007 model year explorer.

Filed Apr 11, 2012 · Engine · 45,551 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH and drove over a bump. Immediately, the engine warning indicator and temperature gauge illuminated. The engine then began to overheat. The failure would also occur when driving on uneven road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice for the same failure and the radiator was replaced each time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,551. Updated 05/08/12*lj the consumer stated the radiator had to be replaced twice.

Filed Mar 19, 2012 · Engine · 68,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the plastic in the radiator cracked and was leaking. The failure caused the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 68,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · CA

Having problems with fluid overflowing to the overflow tank, overheating and cylinder misfire readings.

Filed Jan 1, 2012 · Engine · 40,005 miles · MI

2006 ford explorer xlt w/4.0 l had a coolant leak and needed a new radiator. Mileage was 40,005. Radiator was replaced on 11/16/2009. Two years later (1/1/12) the radiator is again leaking and needs to be replaced. Current mileage is 54,435.

Filed Dec 27, 2011 · Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

Radiator failure. The radiator failed causing the entire engine to overheat. See odi number 10439878. Replaced entire engine and radiator in this vehicle which only has 68,000 miles on it. (costing over $6000). Please issue a recall.

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.