Problems · by component

2006 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Explorer cite electrical system, 6% of all 635 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
39
6% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2022Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11467756
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FLY BY WIRE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2018Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11084010
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS DEACTIVATED EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,522.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2016Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10908718
“CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. ALWAYS AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH AND ALWAYS WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF TURNING THE CAR ON. THERE'S NEVER ANY WARNING OR SMELL OR SOUND. DASH GOES BLACK, RADIO CUTS OFF, POWER STEERING FAILS, AND I HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAS NOT YET HAPPENED AT LIGHTS OR TURNS. MY CAR GUY IS REALLY GOOD AND HE'S AT A LOSS. HE THINKS MAYBE IT'S A SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I DRIVE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD A TO BUY A NEW CAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT MY OTHER OPTIONS ARE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2016Electrical system, EngineODI 10903906
“WHILE DRIVING WE TURNED ON THE AC AND WE HERD A BIG POP. THEN THE PASSENGERS LEG GOT WARM. THEN WE FELT AROUND IT KEPT GETTING HOTTER. IT FOLLOWED THE DASH THEN SMOKE ROLLED OFF UNDER THE DASH. I THREW IT IN PARK WE JUMPED OUT THE FLAMES CONSUMED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ON A ROAD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2016Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10884298
“WE RECENTLY BOUGHT OUR TRUCK IN MARCH 2016 AND SINCE ABOUT APRIL OF 2016 THE TRUCK CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS OFF, IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS..PRETTY MUCH ANY AND EVERY WHERE, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLING. ALL POWER IS LOST INCLUDING POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT OFF 2/3 TIMES IN A 5-10 MINUTE SPAN WILL DRIVING. IT HAS CUT OFF ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS WHILE I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS BOTH TIMES. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES POWER THEN SUDDENLY REGAINS POWER BACK AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE. THIS IS AN ALL ROUND DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I'VE CONTACTED FORD MYSELF AND SO FAR THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL AND ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2016Electrical system, Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10882338

Showing 6 of 39 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.