Skip to content
Vehicle speed controlPart report

2006 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
28about this part
Share
4%of 630 total for the year
Median mileage
42,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 630 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving on speed limit I stopped at a light, car engine went dead. I turned key off and waited a few minutes, turned key on, car started as nothing was wrong. It has happened 3 times in the past year. Battery and alternator are pretty new. Decided to take to an authorized mechanic dealer, couldn't find anything wrong with the engine. Really? What if I was driving in a highway? Certainly I wouldn't be alive to report it!”

NHTSA complaint #11397509, filed 2021-02, 159,000 miles

“It would not shift in reverse till I turned it off and restart it took the reverse. After the incident the Explorer keep on giving me problems every time I'll shift it into reverse. I have to actually punch the gas so it could get the reverse gear. It has been many times that I had to quickly step on the brakes to avoid hitting on coming traffic as well as parked cars, after having to punch on the gas so I could go in reverse. I have been told that it could be the transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #10608338, filed 2014-07, 45,986 miles

“When the speed control is engaged and I am running between 40 and 45 MPH and driving on gently rolling hills the engine will turn off leaving me no power for brakes or steering - no control!”

NHTSA complaint #10790407, filed 2015-11, 60,000 miles

“Just recently noticed my 06 Ford Explorer having unexpected engine surges. Went to stop at an intersection and it felt like the vehicle was fighting me to stop. When the light turned green I gave it a little gas however the vehicle begin to maintain that speed like I had the cruise control on. I purposely did not give the vehicle any gas and saw that it just kept accelerating. Finally after breaking out I began to brake and again felt the vehicle accelerating. …”

NHTSA complaint #10321486, filed 2010-03, 60,460 miles

“Always- throttle hesitation at stop to accelerate. There is a momentary hesitation which is dangerous in starting out. If the SUV were to kill due to the stall, there could easily be an accident. I'm contacting my dealer immediately. I should have done it sooner. This is a problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10174295, filed 2006-11, 1 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
202577%
202322%
202273%
2021153%
2020292%
201910%
2018101%
2017211%
2016763%
2015161%
2014292%
2013382%
2012172%
2011182%
20101412%
2009515%
200875%
2007136%
2006284%
2005449%
2004766%
2003373%
20021525%
20013610%
200011312%
199914811%
199828114%
199720212%
199614810%
19958110%
1994514%
1993384%
1992142%
1991305%

Other parts of the 2006 Ford Explorer

Transmission and drivetrain
296 complaints
Engine cooling
164 complaints
Engine
58 complaints
Brakes
41 complaints
Electrical system
39 complaints
Fuel system
27 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Equipment
11 complaints
Seats
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Electronic stability control
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology