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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor
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 and remedy
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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Other
2005-11-10 · campaign 2005-356
On certain vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease applied to the output shaft gear. After a period of continuous use on the high-speed setting, lack of grease may cause the gear teeth to distort and/or fracture during operation, resulting in the loss of wiper function. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, apply grease to the output shaft gear.
Owner complaints (630)
Owners filed 630 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Explorer (13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 injuries reported). Among 44 model years of this model, it ranks #22 for the most complaints (median 630).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 296 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 164 | |
| Engine | 58 | |
| Electrical system | 39 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 23 | |
| Unknown or other | 22 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 18 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Explorer.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2006 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2006 Ford Explorer version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Explorer 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Explorer 2WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Explorer 4WD 4.6 L Automatic 6-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-29.