2006 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 630 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,101miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 630 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,101 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had the door blender plastic piece changed on my car three times! Each time the season changes. I now have to replace it again. I currently have a radiator leak and will have to replace the radiator and plastic holder as well. I also currently have a transmission slippage problem and I will have to get that fixed as well. This is horrible. I purchased the Ford Explorer because I thought it was dependable. This is depressing and I can not afford it!”
NHTSA complaint #10548891, filed 2013-10, 70,000 miles“This happened to our 2006 Ford Explorer (eddie bauer edition, v8 4wd). The rear liftgate glass exploded into a million tiny pieces with no evidence of external trauma. The car was parked in the driveway at the time and the temperature was above freezing (low 40s) and it was not in the sun. Approximately half the glass was scattered across the driveway - 10+ feet away. The rest of the glass was in the back of the SUV. Fortunately no one was around when this happened - and we were not driving the car at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10578125, filed 2014-04, 107,000 miles“1. The events leading up to the failure are simple. It was a quiet saturday afternoon (4:30 pm on 7/18/09). I was on a two way street on the way to my sweetheart's house in overland park, ks . I was going at about 25 MPH. There was one other car in my vision about 75 feet behind me. No one was coming at me. To my right was an empty baseball diamond for the local high school and to my left was a large ( at least 10 feet tall) concrete wall enclosing an upscale housing development. 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #10278547, filed 2009-07, 13,500 miles“1. Rear wiper quit working several years ago. Sluggish and now froze up. Hasn't worked for a long time. 2. Replaced radiator several years ago. Replaced thermostat several times over the years. Then... 2018, september,-- disappearing coolant from radiator for last 6 months with no obvious leak. Car over heated in august but no obvious leak. Kept refilling... 3 days ago bottom thermostat housing sprung a big leak and car overheated major. Replaced thermostat, and full thermostat housing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11133499, filed 2018-10, 175,800 miles“Vehicle accident two occupants both had seatbelts on, both had airbag deployed and both still struck windshield. Accident occurred in november and as of may one occupant is still removing glass from arms and legs. Ford will not respond to e-mails requesting why seatbelt and airbags did not prevent occupants from striking windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #10227772, filed 2008-05, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V520000Nov 9, 2005On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output…Covers: Ford Explorer 2006, Taurus 2006, Lincoln Navigator 2006 +11 more
Related service bulletins
- 10022287Jul 25, 2007Thumping/loud flutter - behind dash in defrost mode - lack of airflow to floor - manual a/c.
- 10019028Jan 1, 2006Limited or restricted inward movement of exterior rear view mirror glass.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 69 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Ford Explorer
296 complaintsEngine cooling
164 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectronic 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 27, 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