Overview & Reviews

Ford treats the Explorer to a number of significant improvements for 2006. Styling has been updated with a bolder grille treatment, a new tailgate and more attractive taillights. Interior furnishings get an upgrade, too, and additional sound insulation results in a supremely quiet cabin, while a stiffened frame and new shocks provide even better ride and handling characteristics than before. Ford tweaked the 4.0-liter V6 to cut smog-forming emissions by 74 percent and a new three-valve 4.6-liter V8 replaces last year's two-valve version. A six-speed automatic transmission is also new, and comes standard with the V8 engine. Trim levels are simplified, and front-seat side airbags, AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control are now standard on all Explorers.

• Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable and quiet interior with user-friendly layout, standard Roll Stability Control.

• Low resale value, lousy fuel economy.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 179.00

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  Radiator/transmission repeated problems. - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Brenda B. - December 30 - 3:00 pm

  My complaint is to Ford! Why after three (3) radiators being replaced in my 2006 EB Ford Explorer, they never told me they were having trouble with the replacement radiator company! So they kept putting the SAME brand radiator in and charging me labor each time. And AGAIN today, I am facing the same experience! I have been a loyal customer to them....this is the "thank"!

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  Great vehicle - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Evelyn - December 29 - 4:48 pm

  Purchased it when it was 2 years old been a great suv. Nice styling overall great built like a tank

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  2006 transmission problems - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Loretta - September 16 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this from a mechanic shop Took it out of town it was ok when I got back the transmission went out i have no reverse after i pay 6000 i only had it 4 mouths lnow i have to come up with 1200 and it not easy when you live on Social Security

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  Great Family Car - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Helpful Ford Owner - September 7 - 10:11 pm

  Bought this car used with 14,000 miles on it back in 2008. I have the "Advance Trac" version with the 4.0ltr V6, they were the really base model and I dont see many of them around. They also didnt have the gobs of chrome the other models came with, which means mine has aged pretty gracefully and looks a lot like the more recent Expeditions. Its been garaged kept and I have given it regular recommended maintenance. I have managed to put over 90,000 miles on it since I purchased it, aside from a leaky thermostat housing which I replaced myself at 50,000 miles for about $80 total, its been a good truck. First Ill start with the negatives. At very low speeds the transmission feels like there is a guy in there with a sledge hammer shifting gears. The back seat is not really that comfortable for adults, its really sad, I think my 01 2dr Explorer sport had a more comfortable and roomy back seat than my 06 4dr. The motor has a lot of low end torque at low city speeds which is great, but at highway speed the V6 struggles when it comes to passing. I am a pretty easy driver but I can barely coax over 16mpg out of it with a mix of highway and city driving. My car is pretty bare bones and I like it that way, not much to go wrong. AC works great, so does the heat power windows are nice and so is cruise control. Front seat is very comfortable for me and I like the commanding view. Its very torquey on the low end so it does well around town. Ive never towed anything but I bet it would do ok at low speeds, Id hate to take anything heavy on the highway though. For the last 5 years it has been the commuter vehicle for my family, fits two children in the back comfortably and 3 in a pinch. LOTS of room in the trunk for stuff, and believe me I have needed every inch. I dont have the fold flat 3rd row of seats, but I do get some pretty nifty storage compartments under the deck instead. Im very happy with my Explorer, its been pretty dependable. I had an 01 Explorer Sport which had over 170,000 miles on it when I got rid of it (still ran well too) so I hope that this one will last as long.

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  Tranny and thermostat out at 119,000 miles - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Jess - August 13 - 11:31 pm

  It is a very roomy car. I love the climate control. I have 4 kids. And i pull a trailer with it nearly everyday. I expected my tranny to die young she gets a lot of stress. But overall it has been an amazing car...i have now proudly owned 4 different ford explorers.

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  Over 102,000 miles and still doing well! - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By mhs48128 - April 5 - 11:41 am

  Never towed a thing with it and thats probably why I have no trany or radiator issues. Also, garaged in winter. Yeah, a minor radiator leak and Im watching it! Always had a slightly rough truck "ride". Comfortable front buckets. 2nd seat o.k. but 3rd seat is a "pop-up" rumble seat! Only two complaints: A "glass chin" front grille with no real bumper--not front "crashworthy". Stupid orange dashboard idiot messages. Currently lit: tire pressure sensor and gas cap leak & engine light (for same reason), and no way to turn them off permanently. (Must use reset button.) Both useless "errors" and not major. Otherwise, quite reliable. AC still works. Over 102,000 is a good life span, so far!

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  oh boy - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By Marquis Greene - March 26 - 5:35 pm

  Ive purchase a ford explore and had to change out 3 radiators and 2 thermostats

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  Transmission beyond hope - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By fdfinance - March 3 - 10:19 am

  I bought the Explorer new and had a thermostat failure that blew coolant all over the engine warping engine parts resulting in $2500 repair. At 70,000 miles started having transmission issues starting with slipping and high revs between gears. Transmission locked up and was replaced. Since then the same slipping issues has caused multiple returns to the shop without resolution. My wife and I like the Explorer design but the engine / transmissions issues make it a nightmare that I would not wish on anyone. This is my last Ford.

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  Another Radiator Issue - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By spanora - October 8 - 6:03 pm

  I purchased this vehicle at 35k miles. At 40k miles (4 months later) the radiator, thermostat and thermostat housing went bad. $1300 later I was on my way. At 55k miles, after owning the car for 16 months, the enginge had a blown head gasket. At 85k miles, the radiator, thermostat and thermostat housing are bad again. Definitely not something that should go bad again so soon. Well see how long radiator #3 lasts!

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  06 Explorer radiator and tranny - 2006 Ford Explorer
  By bllowns - April 9 - 5:37 pm

  I bought my 06 Explorer (my third one) with only 11,000 miles which now has 82,000 miles. So far Ive replaced the radiator twice at a cost of $469.00 a pop. At 65,000 miles the transmission started slamming into reverse. When I put it in reverse now, if it dose not go in gear immediatly, I will shift it into neutral and back into reverse and hope it will gently go into reverse as it should. This helps but I shouldnt have to do this! Now its hitting hard when it downshifts while stopping. Ive owned many Fords over the years and so far Ive had to replace seven or eight transmissions. No more transmissions or Fords for me! My son has a 98 Tacoma with 210,000 miles. So long Ford!