1. Ford Explorer
  2. Problems
  3. 2006
  4. Cooling System

2006 Ford Explorer Cooling System Problems

75
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 75 stored complaint records:

  • 0 indicate a crash
  • 0 indicate injury
  • 1 indicate fire

What owners report

  • radiator replaced · 14 records
  • under warranty · 11 records
  • eddie bauer · 10 records
  • radiator leaking · 9 records
  • miles radiator · 9 records
  • radiator failure · 8 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
30–60k mi47
60–100k mi14
1–30k mi9

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • April 10, 2009 · 50,000 miles

    Cooling System

    2006 EXPLORER RADIATOR LEAK. *TR

    ODI 10283959

  • April 9, 2009

    Cooling System

    Issue with the radiator. Replaced the radiator 7 months ago and now replacing it again. *tr

    ODI 10264970

  • March 15, 2009 · 48,000 miles

    Cooling System · Equipment

    Had a radiator failure the first year. Had a second radiator failure 36,000 miles later in the same spot on the same style radiator. Looking at the complaints on one of the ford chat boards it looks like there are hundreds of us with the same problem from 2006. Dealer admitted they knew of the problem but that replacement was not yet covered by ford and the radiators were currently on back order due to heavy demand.…

    ODI 10266084

  • March 9, 2009 · 47,500 miles

    Cooling System

    2006 ford explorer eddie bauer - had leaking from the radiator -- took to a mechanic, he stated that there was a crack in the seam of the radiator and we would need to replace it at our cost of $650.00 because ford has not recalled the equipment but is more than aware there is an issue. *tr

    ODI 10261497

  • March 3, 2009 · 47,000 miles

    Cooling System

    I have a 2006 ford eddie bauer explorer with 47k miles on it. I just had to have my second radiator put in. My first went around 20k miles and luckily was under warranty. Today, i had to spend over $600 to replace this. Based on the number of complaints i see and what has happened in my situation, there is clearly a problem with these radiators. Even my mechanic was aware of the issue prior to looking at my car.…

    ODI 10260586

  • February 26, 2009 · 25,500 miles

    Cooling System

    As vehicle was being driven, engine died. No lights on dash to indicate problem. No smoke from engine at that time. Vehicle pulled over, hood opened, lots of smoke poured out. Had towed to closest dealership. Both head gaskets blown, heads warped, one piston broke. Needs entirely new engine - estimated cost $6000. Bought vehicle used with limited powertrain warranty. Per ford a clamp on a hose to the thermostat…

    ODI 10262977

  • February 25, 2009 · 46,912 miles

    Cooling System

    My wife noticed a large amount of liquid under the front of our 2006 ford explorer. We took the vehicle to town and country ford. They diagnosed the problem as a leaking radiator. The radiator was replaced at a cost of $611.69. I questioned survive advisor as to why a radiator would fail with approximately 46k miles. I asked if this is a known issue on this vehicle. He said no. By the way, my comprehensive extended…

    ODI 10260179

  • January 28, 2009 · 61,000 miles

    Cooling System

    I have a 2006 ford explorer that was leaking fluid on the front driver side. We took the vehicle in and were told there was a pin hole crack in the seam of the radiator. We had to replace the radiator. Cost $600.00 there is 61,000 on the vehicle. I noticed many other complaints about this issue and brought it up to the repair department. They were not aware of the problem. *tr

    ODI 10256664

  • January 17, 2009 · 21,800 miles

    Cooling System

    The radiator in my 2006 ford explorer - eddie bauer edition failed on 01/17/09 and the vehicle only had 21,800 miles on it. It's quite obvious that ford should be recalling the radiators in the 2006 explorers since it appears that many people are having the same problem. I had my new radiator installed under the manufacturer warranty, but i know others have had to pay out of pocket to have the radiators replaced. *tr

    ODI 10255787

  • December 20, 2008 · 45,000 miles

    Cooling System

    2006 ford explorer, eddie bauer 4wd v6. Radiator failed at 45000 miles. Leaking from cracks along inside top seam. It is a manufacturing defect caused by poor design. Bought the new unit from a local ford dealer and installed it myself. $303.00 for the new radiator. This seems to be a very common problem with the year and model referenced. Ford needs to step up and admit there is a problem and assist the owners of…

    ODI 10255166

  • November 15, 2008 · 64,000 miles

    Automatic Transmission · Cooling System

    Failure #1--gear shift selector very difficult to move from park; dealer said ford redesigned, but not covered by them. Failure #2--leak in seam of radiator (between plastic & aluminum). Again, not covered by ford or by extended warranty. *tr

    ODI 10249083

  • November 14, 2008 · 37,119 miles

    Cooling System

    I bought a 2006 ford explorer used in dec. Of 2006 about a year later i was having problems took it in and needed a new water pump it was covered under warranty. In june of 2008 the gear shift would stick when trying to get out of park also the engine would race and not shift gears it was also making a knocking noise in the engine. Took it in for a routine oil change and to have all problems looked at they said…

    ODI 10249301

  • October 7, 2008

    Cooling System

    Around the beginning of oct i noticed antifreeze leaking. On nov7 2006 i had to have the radiator replaced. My explorer had 47,227 miles on it but the leak was discovered before the mileage got to 47,000. I have been told that it never should have happened. We have 2 other explorers with about 120,000 and a 130,000 miles and never have a bit of trouble. The years on those are 1998 and 1999. Mine is a 2006. I am glad…

    ODI 10248529

  • September 30, 2008 · 37,800 miles

    Cooling System

    I noticed coolant leaking under the driver side of the radiator at around 37,800 miles. Dealer initially said it was a loose hose and "repaired" for $75 (9/30/08). Leak continued. Returned to dealer and was told that the radiator was cracked (10/12/08). I have done searches on the internet and this appears to be a very common problem with the 2006 ford explorer. Ford should put a recall on the radiator so that if…

    ODI 10249473

  • July 14, 2008 · 38,213 miles

    Cooling System

    I own a 2006 ford explorer which i purchased new from the dealer. In july of 2008 with 38,000 miles on it the radiator had to be replaced because it was leaking. Ford would not cover the cost because it was out of warranty. I now have 75,000 miles on the vehicle and the radiator is leaking again and will need to be replaced. I see other complaints in your database about the same issue and if this problem is searched…

    ODI 10319266

  • July 1, 2008 · 62,000 miles

    Cooling System

    Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the radiator was replaced june of 2008, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicles coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test which determined that the failure was located in the radiator seal and caused the engine coolant to leak. Report 1320050701 was filed with the manufacturer and they will not…

    ODI 10390192

  • June 21, 2008 · 40,000 miles

    Cooling System

    Leaking radiator in 2006 ford explorer at 40,000 miles. Dealership made my buy a new radiator. *tr

    ODI 10249626

  • June 10, 2008 · 25,000 miles

    Cooling System

    Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford explorer. The contact stated that the radiator was leaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the radiator would need to be replaced with an updated radiator and the computer would need reprogramming. The contact had to continuously apply antifreeze or water to the radiator so the vehicle would not over heat. The vehicle…

    ODI 10400030

  • May 15, 2008 · 30,000 miles

    Cooling System

    My 2006 ford explorer which has 52,000 miles on it has a leaking radiator. From what i have heard this is normal on this year vehicle. This is shameful and ford should man up and fix the problem. *tr

    ODI 10351241

  • April 9, 2008 · 37,000 miles

    Cooling System

    2006 ford explorer xlt #rd radiator going in today. Ford knows about problem and still lets customers pay for issue. *tr

    ODI 10336214

  • January 6, 2008 · 19,616 miles

    Cooling System

    On jan 6 2009, i noticed a puddle of antifreeze on the ground underneath my 2006 ford explorer. The explorer is equipped with the 4.0l v6 engine. I took it to the dealer as it is still under warranty, and they said that the radiator had cracked. I had it replaced under warranty, and afterwards i did some searching through the warranty history that was provided to me when i had bought the vehicle, and found that the…

    ODI 10254442

  • October 27, 2007 · 28,000 miles

    Cooling System · Mechanical

    2006 ford explorer - 62,000 miles and i am on radiator #5 - manufacturer and dealer will not do anything to help - stating it is not under warranty and i did not by extended warranty 1/2007 purchased vehicle - 10/2007 28,000 miles replaced radiator - dealer cost under warranty 3/2009 45,000 miles replaced radiator again - my cost - not under warranty 10/2009 54,500 miles replaced radiator again . Dealer pd…

    ODI 10330532

  • July 10, 2007 · 42,000 miles

    Cooling System

    I have a 2006 explorer with 42000 miles. I purchased the vehicle new off the lot. I have had numerous issues. It began 2 years ago with fluid leaking. I took the vehicle in to ford and i had "cracked hoses." i then called this past summer to make an appointment concerning leaking fluid and my engine fan constantly coming on and off. I was told that was normal in the summer. Now a few months later...my radiator is…

    ODI 10293220

  • February 21, 2007 · 43,000 miles

    Cooling System

    Radiator failed car never ran hot caused engine to blow head gaskets. Car was serviced 9 days prior and radiator was full. Car stopped on freeway late at night and have to pay 6,700.00 to repair vehicle. *tr

    Fire reported

    ODI 10223104

  • June 28, 2006 · 40,000 miles

    Cooling System

    2006 ford explorer has cooling systems problems. The engine light and gauge would suddenly rise. The engine would rev and the heat would blow cold air. In july 2009 i had the radiator replaced and was told by a ford dealer that would fix the problem. Seven months later the same problems have started again. Engine suddenly overheats, then suddenly drops, cold air from the heating system. I am taking the truck back to…

    ODI 10302044