Seven problems related to steering have been reported for the 2006 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2006 Explorer.
Transmission is slipping bad and car not shifting into drive.
The car was sold with limited warranty, used, but had written cold start issue. The vehicle gets warm if warm outside and will just completely shut off anywhere at anytime. Riding down interstate, will lose power then shut off and leave you with no power steering to control vehicle going high speeds, will shut off in town multiple times upward of a dozen or more times while driving, 1st shop sent to said couldn't find issue second they sent me too said computer needed replacing. Either way I never would have purchased it without it being done had u known, my fiance is small and no way she could handle the vehicle if shutting down while driving. Its very dangerous and is going to get someone killed if not repaired and looked into more closely.
While parked, looking from front of vehicle, I observed a metal part hanging down on front right underside next to inside of tire. An ase mechanic friend saw it & knew that it was a corroded steering stabilizer link (long bolt w/ grommets). He reached under the vehicle and easily pulled it down. He said it is a common problem on many types of vehicles and replacement part of slightly different design is $10-20 & easily installed. I called metro Ford madison, WI who advised there was no recall on this part and would cost $200 to install a new one plus replace the other side but no wheel alignment is needed. I decided to buy 2 new links (moog brand) that are a heavier design and my son & I installed them. There is now much less body roll especially notice when in round-a-bouts where previously was difficult to remain in only one of the 2 circular lanes.
I was in the process of parking my 2006 Ford Explorer XLT, pulling very slowly into my parking spot, when the engine started roaring, it lunged, hit a parking curb and then thrust into a concrete pillar in a parking garage. The airbag deployed and engine died. My vehicle was totaled! I received burns from the air bag chemicals on both of my hands. I'm still shaken up about it. Neck is sore and lower back hurts.
We bought this used from a used car dealership. The very next day I noticed while driving the engine just shut off. Couple months later the same thing happened and has continued to happen often. Last week I was driving 45 mph on a highway in the rain and lost all control of the vehicle. The brakes didn't work, the steering didn't work, the entire car shut down, I had a panic attack because I was in traffic and almost caused a hugh accident with other vehicles. I put on the hazzards and finally was able to drift into a the middle of the road called the turning lane. I called the dealership many times and have only been told "we are sorry". I tried calling a lemon law lawyer but was told, sorry, if the truck was a 2007 then I would have a case. So, now what do I do? I have a 10,000 car loan for a vehicle that I am frightened to drive anywhere. Please help me.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was informed that due to severe corrosion of the lower intermediate shaft, the component would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 35,000.
Engine stalls. Whenever it feels like it, hot or cold, slowing down to stop, turning left or right, on the street roads and freeways. Starts and go again after 5/10 minutes but this is ridiculous. I paid so much money and time for diagnostic and parts already and yesterday was the worst. My 2006 Ford Explorer stalled in the middle of the freeway. Date: Nov 1, 2011, time:1550, and my wife was driving, when she's not happy, nobody's happy. . . . She almost got ran over as she open her door, she could not go anywhere but wait for time to either cool off or reset on the engine.