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2006 Ford Explorer XLS

The 2006 Ford Explorer XLS is a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $27,175 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.

It makes 210 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 254 lb-ft of torque at 3700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).

The Explorer measures 193.4 inches long on a 113.7-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,175 ($43,809 *)
Engine
Engine Type4.0L SOHC V6
Displacement4 L
Horsepower210 hp @ 5,100 rpm
Torque254 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeMultiport Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined16 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity22.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionShort/long-arm independent front suspension
Rear SuspensionIndependent rear suspension
Dimensions & Weight
Length193.4 in
Width73.7 in
Height72.8 in
Wheelbase113.7 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (22.8 % risk)
Tested variant: 2006 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford EXPLORER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

NHTSA campaign 10E043000

Dec 11, 2007 · VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

NHTSA campaign 07E104000

May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

NHTSA campaign 06E049000

Nov 9, 2005 · 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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 05V520000

635 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Ford EXPLORER

Owner Complaints

635 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford EXPLORER (13 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train301
Engine And Engine Cooling165
Engine58
Electrical System39
Service Brakes39
Vehicle Speed Control28
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 27, 2025 · Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Lane Departure
“Hi, I purchased my 2006 ford explorer in 2019 from a mechanic lot. Since then I’ve changed the muffler, all 4 of the o2 sensors. Recently, after changing parts like the cylinder, spark plugs and wires…”
Nov 5, 2024 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle…”
Jul 26, 2023 · Power Train
“THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! THE REVERSE BAND BREAKS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION!! NO WARNING JUST WENT TO REVERSE AND NOTHING! UPON RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE…”
Mar 31, 2023 · Unknown Or Other
“Transmission”
Jun 6, 2022 · Power Train, Electrical System, Engine
“Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 FORD EXPLORER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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