Used 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
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The Achilles Heel of the 2006 explorer (Radiator & Transmission)
sr_engineer42, Morrisville, NC, 01/03/2012
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2006 explorer in 2007 with 19k miles... It looks sharp and performs very well in traffic and on the interstate. Has a sport car feel imo.. however, the radiator started to leak,, then stopped for some time (seems to leak more in the colder months, not at all in the summer months) this happed at about 100k miles. I have also replace both front (wheel hubs), and the CD player. you can purchase an aftermarket radiator on-line for about $125.. much cheaper than the ford one for about 500.. The other design flaw is the Transmission.. I noticed that now 3rd gear was very shaky.. in the shift... hense the tranny is going .. .. at that point I traded the Ford for a GMC.
On it's way out After 150,000-had major repairs
mhs48128, Farmington, MI, 04/05/2015
updated 10/12/2018
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Never towed a thing with it and that's probably why I have no trany issues. Also, garaged in winter. Always had a slightly rough truck "ride". Very 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. AC still works. Over $2000 in radiator, trans hoses and water pump failure in 2016, after a long hot Summer trip to Northern UP Michigan. (1200 miles round trip) Still cheaper than buyer a new one ? Other major repairs have included both front bearings (at different times). Several sets of brakes, a new battery, and tires (twice). Averages about $500 a year for maintenance, usually normal TBA issues. Original exhaust. It goes thru brakes every 3 years or so. 15 MPG in the city, it continues to be a "gas hog". I plan to sell or trade it n 2019-20. I would not recommend it as a used car, at this point. No leaks but starting to use oil. Rear Wiper blade motor just quit. 2018 update: It continues to need expensive repairs. In the past 3 years the radiator failed twice and trany cooling hoses burned up. New water pump. Fan blower motor, serpentine belt, alternator. Over $ 2000 in the last 3 years, a bit at a time. No radio and time dashboard lights. Should have been traded in 3 years ago to avoid these major repairs. The anti-skid control remains "touchy" and it locked up which caused the vehicle to slide off the wide driveway into a ditch. Questionable traction in Winter and new tires didn't help much. I am tired of it.
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2006 Ford Explorer for sale near you
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- Eddie Bauer 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,495201 mi away
- Eddie Bauer 4dr SUVMSRP: $1,495203 mi away
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The car from transmission and radiator hell
Rebecca Lawsen, Acworth, GA, 10/02/2016
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
So.... to start off my story. I want to say that we have never purchased an explorer new. They have all been used. The first 2002 eddie baur explorer we got had 20,000 and the 2006 one im reviewing had 80,000. So the 2002 explorer we owned had 4 transmissions, and 2 engines. Now, that was not terrible, overall we replaced it because it was getting old. We put 490,000 miles on it. Thats a pretty decent vehicle. However, this 2006 one is getting traded in for something different in late october. We got this car aprox. 2 years ago. Its already had 2 transmission problems, the engine runs hot daily, and the radiator is for $#@&. I am actually scared when I find out that I have to drive out of state for a meeting. Please, I beg of you, do not buy a 2006 explorer. Better yet, don't even buy an explorer. We've had one all my childrens lives and the amount of money we have had to soak into both of them could have gotten me a range rover I could have still had to this day. Also logic wise, the rear climate control is in the front of the car.... I shouldnt have to have my kids tell me when to adjust their air. It should have been placed in the back like every other SUV ever made. My radio lights all went out, dont really know why. Basically to the point, transmissions need to either be lying around in your garage with some radiators or this car just isn't for you.
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My first SUV and I love it.
Ford Dude, 05/06/2006
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I am Ford loyal. This Explorer is my 6th Ford vehicle. I love everything about this new Explorer however I do feel there are some improvements that need to be made. 1st the headrests in the middle seat aren't so bad but the 3rd row when the seats are up need to be down to see out the back. 2nd the door pulls are too low. I do like how heavy the doors are makes it feel more sturdy. We love the reverse sensing system. The gas mileage could be improved. I traded a 05 Ford Ranger that I was able to get 30+ mpg on highway. I'm getting 22 average on the highway, big difference. My wife was sold when she found out that the Explorer came standard with side impact airbags and a 5 star crash test rating.
I give!
Daisee86, 07/01/2008
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
So sad. I dreamed of this car for 7 years while I drove beat up car waiting to afford this one. Now I have had every trouble listed on all the complaint websites - back driver window won't roll down (fixed 3 times), stick shift stuck (had to be replaced), radiator leaking (has to be replaced), Transmission problem (not yet diagnosed). At least it is all covered under warranty but what a pain to have to keep taking it in. I am so upside down, I can't trade it. I am likley never to buy a Ford again and I have driven them all my life. No more.