The 2006 Explorer only lasts around 150,000 miles due to expensive transmission and engine failures. At $4,650 – $6,200 it’s cheap, but you’ll spend a lot of money on repairs.
Is the 2006 Ford Explorer a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2006 is a bad year. Owners complain about fuel costs, spending a lot of time in the shop, and outdated electronics.
- Reliability ratings are terrible. Avoid models from 2002–2007 and go with a 2008 or newer model where there are significantly fewer problems.
- Performance is poor from the base V6, but the V8 offers good power.
- The Explorer is reasonably safe getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is bad, at up to 16 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Explorer?
- Consumer Reports says the Explorer is full of annoyances, and has very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Explorer a 4/5 liking the quiet interior, but disliking the low resale value.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Explorer 4.3/5 and enjoy the roominess, but complain about poor reliability.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Ford Explorer Have?
Problems with the 2006 Explorer are very serious and include transmission problems, leaking radiators, and complete engine failures.
Transmission problems leading to lunging while shifting between gears show up at around 50,000 miles. It’s usually a sign of a problem inside the transmission, which costs around $1,800 to rebuild or $3,000 to replace.
Radiator leaks are extremely common at roughly 65,000 miles. The seals fail as the vehicle ages, and replacing the entire radiator assembly costs about $720.
Engine failures happen on a lot of Explorers in the first 80,000 miles. There are several components which break in the engine including the crank pulley. Replacing the entire engine costs about $3,000.
There are 4 minor recalls covering the wiper motors, reflectors, and glass. None of them are very serious and they don’t address the serious mechanical problems with the 2006 Explorer.
How Long Will the 2006 Ford Explorer Last?
A properly maintained 2006 Explorer will last around 150,000 miles, half as long as top competitors like the Chevy Tahoe. Maintenance costs are significantly higher than rivals, according to Repair Pal, at roughly $550 per year.
Most Explorers will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the steering rack for $1,300, the timing chain tensioner costing $1,000, and the radiator hoses which cost $450.
Right now my ford explorer has two non-structural problems: (1) the gasket at the bottom of the radiator has a minor leak which I have closed by using a half bottle of bar's stop leak so now there is no leakage. (2) there is a small hole on the top of the muffler at the rear of the vehicle which is barely noticeable. I have replaced all four wheel bearings and all 8 coil assemblies for each cylinder right now it is running fine. The mileage is 177,700.
I love this vehicle, it is great in the winter time. It has 4x4 features, gas works great for me as well. It is a very reliable and I do not see anything wrong at this time. I have only owned this vehicle for 1 year.
I have very few problems with my 2006 ford explorer. I have found this to be true of all the ford products we have owned over the years and why when buying cars for out children we bought fords.
It is reliable. It is needed some maintenance for wear and tear but other than that I cannot complain about it.
No it's not reliable. Ever since I have had the car it has had problems. I have put a fortune in the car.
The explorer is a very reliable SUV and considering it is 13 years old, there are no problems with it.
My car is very reliable. The only problems have been basic maintenance. This car is definitely worth the money I paid.
I think it’s very reliable. I have never been left stranded on the side of the road. It feel safe driving it
How Much Is the 2006 Ford Explorer Worth?
Blue book values range from $4,650 – $6,200, making the Explorer around $2,000 cheaper than other large SUVs like the GMC Yukon or Nissan Armada. When new, the price range was $26,530 to $35,940. Depreciation is worse than average, at 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Explorer?
There are four models of the Explorer available. The Explorer was just updated for 2006, with a new stereo system added in 2007.
XLS is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Power Windows & Mirrors
- AM/FM/CD Stereo System With MP3 Playback
XLT is a popular step up adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 6-Way Power Driver’s Seat
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Rear Air Conditioning
Eddie Bauer is a unique version and has:
- 17-Inch Painted Alloy Wheels
- Two-Tone Paint Job
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
- Running Boards
Limited is the flagship luxury model with:
- 17-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- In Dash CD Changer
What Engines Come In the Explorer?
- The base engine is a relatively weak 4L V6 with 210 horsepower that gets up to 16 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the more powerful 4.6L V8, which makes 292 horsepower and gets up to 15 MPG combined. Performance is weak, taking 8.9 seconds to reach 60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Explorer Come In?
How Big Is the Explorer?
The 2006 Explorer is slightly smaller than some competitors like the Dodge Durango and Chevy Suburban. Passenger room is good in the first and second row, but the optional third row is cramped for adult passengers.
Cargo space is good with 44.9 cubic feet of room behind the second row and up to 84.7 with the seats folded flat.
How Does the Explorer Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Expedition is another SUV from Ford in the same price range. Reliability ratings and passenger room are both better on the Expedition, but the Explorer has newer technology. We recommend the Expedition since they break down less often.
The Toyota Sequoia is another competitor costing about $4,000 more. Where the Sequoia stands out is with the longest lasting engines, but the Explorer is more luxurious. We recommend the Sequoia since it’s more affordable to own.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Explorer?
Yes, my 2006 ford explorer is a good vehicle. It has been reliable, which is my main criteria. I can take long trips without concern and it is an excellent highway cruiser. Although it has the 4.6l v8 engine I get 20 - 22 mpg on trips. It has a large cargo capacity when the rear tier of seats is down.
Yes it is very good and reliable family vehicle. It is perfect for my family of 6, plenty of legroom for everyone. 3rd row seating goes down to make extra trunk space for groceries.
Yes- it has been very reliable and met all my needs in a vehicle. We have had very few maintenance problems and I enjoy driving it. I think it is safe and comfortable to handle.
Yes besides some transmission problems it is a great vehicle. It gets great gas mileage and is pretty reliable.
My ford explorer can be good sometimes. Ever since I have had it though I have had nothing but trouble with it.
I love the explorer, we have ha 3 of them and our next vehicle will most likely another explorer... It is a very good vehicle.
I love my Explorer! It has been an excellent vehicle. I have received great gas mileage and had only basic mechanical problems with the car.
Yes. At 100,000 miles I did put a new transmission in but apart from that I have only had to do minimal on maintenance.