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2006 Ford Explorer visibility problems

16 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,101. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
40,101
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Windshield
    3
  • Rear window wiper/washer
    3
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
    2
  • Power window devices and controls
    1
  • Glass, side/rear
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Explorer visibility problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Ford Explorer visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Wipers 6

Related recalls

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported November 9, 2005 · 199,942 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V520000 · Recall details

What 2006 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 Apr 7, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 107,000 miles · IN

This happened to our 2006 ford explorer (eddie bauer edition, v8 4wd). The rear liftgate glass exploded into a million tiny pieces with no evidence of external trauma. The car was parked in the driveway at the time and the temperature was above freezing (low 40s) and it was not in the sun. Approximately half the glass was scattered across the driveway - 10+ feet away. The rest of the glass was in the back of the SUV. Fortunately no one was around when this happened - and we were not driving the car at the time. This could have resulted in serious injury to a bystander - or an accident as I can only imagine how much that would alarm the driver. I will be cleaning glass bits from the driveway and back of the SUV for a long time to come! At least it is not too warm out so no is tempted to walk barefoot on the drive.

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 70,000 miles · MO

I have had the door blender plastic piece changed on my car three times! Each time the season changes. I now have to replace it again. I currently have a radiator leak and will have to replace the radiator and plastic holder as well. I also currently have a transmission slippage problem and I will have to get that fixed as well. This is horrible. I purchased the ford explorer because I thought it was dependable. This is depressing and I can not afford it!

Filed Jan 27, 2012 · Body, Visibility · NY

Was driving when tilt gate glass ajar warning came on, at the same time heard a whistling noise. Upon stopping noticed the lift gate was ajar with and away from the hatch by several inches. Tied to close it and it did not close properly upon inspection the hinge was broke that holds the glass to the vehicle. Managed to get the glass somewhat back in place and drove gingerly home all while the lift gate ajar light was on. There is a lot of white residue packed in part of the hinge not known if it is road salt or not and the hinge has a crack where it separated. My concern is the failure is related to salt and freezing and thawing, and if that is the case how long before the other one fails... Also if driving at highway speeds with windows opened could it have caused the glass to shatter scaring the driver of other traffic causing an accident. I have contacted ford about it in case they wanted to see it and got the normal basic reply car is out of warranty and basically we don't' care at this time.

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Engine, Visibility · 100,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer eddie bauer. While driving approximately 10-60 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally. The vehicle would also overheat sporadically and the rear windshield wipers would not operate. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission specialist where they rebuilt the transmission and attempted to repair the rear windshield wipers but to no avail. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the failures. The dealer made repairs to the cooling system but was unable to disable the rear windshield wipers to make repairs. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 04/25/11 *bf updated 1/13/2012 *ln

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Visibility · NY

I own a 2006 ford explorer eddie bauer model. Six months after purchase, the rear wiper blade stopped working. I called the dealer which I purchased it from and they told me it is not covered and a new motor would cost $300 plus labor. I feel this is a safety issue because with the heavy snows and rain in my area, a malfunctioning rear wiper could cause an accident. I know of 4 other people with the same problem with the same vehicle. I called ford headquarters to file a complaint and they said there was nothing they can do. Please look into this problem and I am sure I am not the only person complaining of this issue.

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Visibility · 40,101 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wiper made a popping noise and disconnected from the motor which caused a loss of visibility. The dealer stated that the failure was normal. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would pass the information on. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 40,101 and the current mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Visibility · 82,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH in the rain, the rear windshield wiper suddenly malfunctioned which made it difficult to see out of the rear window. The contact referenced recall 05v520000 (visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor) but was informed that the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Visibility · 63,000 miles · IL

While trying to turn on the air conditioning, a clicking can be heard and the air flow does not change over. Then during cooler days the heat is inoperative, (it stays on cold air) the clicking is persistent.

Filed Jul 28, 2009 · Visibility · 13,500 miles · MO

1. The events leading up to the failure are simple. It was a quiet saturday afternoon (4:30 pm on 7/18/09). I was on a two way street on the way to my sweetheart's house in overland park, ks . I was going at about 25 MPH. There was one other car in my vision about 75 feet behind me. No one was coming at me. To my right was an empty baseball diamond for the local high school and to my left was a large ( at least 10 feet tall) concrete wall enclosing an upscale housing development. 2. Without warning I hear an explosion followed immediately by shattering glass from my sunroof cascading down upon me. The explosion was just the sound of the sunroof shattering. As god is my witness, I swear tt just shattered from causes beyond my knowledge. 3. The following monday morning I took it to the ford dealership where I had purchased it and replaced the sunroof. My bumper-to-bumper warranty was still in force but ford motor refused to hone up on this one. The service manager said that ford doesn't know but what it was shot out accidentally broken out or if someone had put their fist through it. The strange thing was the sunroof glass that was still in the sunroof frame was angling upward as if it had been struck from inside. The service manager pointed this out to me. The local dealership did split the cost of replacement with me though.

Questions about the 2006 Ford Explorer visibility

Does the 2006 Ford Explorer have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2006 Ford Explorer visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,101 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Ford Explorer visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 05V520000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Explorer have the most visibility problems?

The Ford Explorer model years with the most visibility complaints are 1999 (216 complaints), 2002 (138 complaints) and 2004 (112 complaints).

Other 2006 Ford Explorer problems

Transmission 296Engine 221Brakes 41Electrical 39Acceleration 28Fuel system 27Body 11Driver assistance 11Seats 11Steering 9Airbags 8Seat belts 6Wheels 6Suspension 5Tires 4Lights 3

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