2006–2010 Ford Explorer: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Owner-reported automatic transmission harsh/delayed shifts, lunging or 'banging' into gear, slipping, delayed reverse engagement; some owners report rebuild or replacement verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Applies to: 4.0L V6 / 5R55S | 4.6L V8 / 6R60 · Documented around: starts around 40,000-50,000 mi (carcomplaints.com 2006 average 49,950 mi); failures reported 58,000-99,000 mi on 2008 · About: 3-6 years when first reported
  Reported signs: slams into gear from park; hard thump going into reverse; hesitates then kicks into reverse; won't shift into 3rd until it revs high; transmission slipping, won't accelerate; won't go over 40 mph, wrench light on Verify eligibility by VIN with the manufacturer.
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 303 of 1139 complaints for the Ford Explorer MY2006-2010 have complaint text matching 'transmission' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure). Of these, 226 are 2006 MY. carcomplaints.com lists '2006 Explorer transmission lunges, hard jolt when shifting' as its top Explorer problem (237 owner reports, avg reported cost $1,890, 49,950 mi)
• Owner-reported radiator leaks/cracks (seam split, cracked core), coolant loss and overheating, sometimes repeated after replacement; most complaints are 2006 model year commonly reported
  System: Engine cooling · Applies to: all · Documented around: 35,000-60,000 mi (NHTSA complaints cite 35,600, 45,000 and 48,000 mi; carcomplaints.com says around 60,000 mi) · About: 2-5 years
  Reported signs: puddle of coolant under the driver's side; roaring sound, rushing water; temperature gauge going to hot; smell coolant after driving; overflow tank empty
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 178 of 1139 complaints for the Ford Explorer MY2006-2010 have complaint text matching 'radiator' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure); 165 of them are 2006 MY. Example: "RADIATOR LEAK @ 35,600 MILES ... THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR CORE WAS CRACKED" (NHTSA complaint ODI 10249751); also ODI 10250832, 10255166. We found no recall or NHTSA investigation covering radiators
• Owner-reported: driver power seat slides back on its own while driving (and interior lights come on); owners and a forum fix link it to a worn ignition lock cylinder triggering the Easy Exit seat function commonly reported
  System: Power equipment/accessories · Documented around: reported from under 25,000 mi; worsens over time · About: 1-8 years; concentrated in 2007-2008 MY
  Reported signs: driver seat slides back by itself over bumps; seat moves back when keys get jiggled; can't reach the brake pedal; dome light comes on while driving
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 52 of 1139 complaints for the Ford Explorer MY2006-2010 have complaint text matching seat within 6 words of mov*/slid* (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure). Example: "IF THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION GET JIGGLED, IF BY BUMP IN ROAD OR BY KNEE, THE POWER DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS" (NHTSA complaint ODI 10853818, 2008); also ODI 10373572. We found no recall
• Spark plugs can seize and break during removal on the 4.6L 3-valve V8, per Ford TSB 08-7-6 (procedure and broken-plug extraction) verified source
  System: Engine (minor) · Applies to: 4.6L V8 / 6R60 · Documented around: at first plug change (around 100,000 mi) or whenever plugs are removed
  Reported signs: shop says a spark plug broke off in the head; quote for spark plugs much higher than expected on the V8
  Source: Ford TSB 08-7-6 (supersedes 08-1-9), applies to 2006-2008 Explorer/Mountaineer and 2007-2008 Explorer Sport Trac with 4.6L 3-V engine built before 11/30/07 (fordservicecontent.com tsb08-07-06.htm)
• Check engine light with DTC P0713 and/or transmission solenoid-body connector codes caused by A/C drain water dripping into the 5R55S solenoid connector verified source
  System: Transmission (minor) · Applies to: 4.0L V6 / 5R55S · Documented around: any; vehicles built on or before 8/12/2009
  Reported signs: check engine light P0713; transmission codes after running the A/C
  Source: Ford TSB 09-22-15 (published 2009-11-02): 2006-2010 Explorer, 2006-2010 Mountaineer, 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac with 5R55S built on or before 8/12/2009 (text quoted on fordtruckfanatics.com; summarized by TechShop/Mitchell 1, 2012-11-05)
• Loss of 2nd, 3rd and 5th gear / incorrect-ratio codes from overdrive or intermediate band failure caused by servo pin bore wear in the 5R55S case, worse when hot verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Applies to: 4.0L V6 / 5R55S · Documented around: generally higher mileage (per TSB)
  Reported signs: loses gears when warm; stuck in 2nd, won't shift; 3rd gear ratio error
  Source: Ford TSB 09-12-12 (June 2009): 2002-2009 Explorer/Mountaineer, 2007-2009 Explorer Sport Trac with 5R55S/W/N (PDF: latemodel.cachefly.net/downloads/tsb05-14/tsb09-12-12.pdf)
• Harsh downshift while coming to a stop (2009-2010 V6) verified source
  System: Transmission (minor) · Applies to: 4.0L V6 / 5R55S · Documented around: any
  Reported signs: clunk when coming to a stop; harsh downshift slowing down
  Source: Ford TSB 11-5-5: 2009-2010 Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Mountaineer with 4.0L and 5R55S; PCM reprogram, 0.3 hr (charm.li mirror of Ford service info)

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-10-17. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

Powertrains

Engine and transmission combinations documented for this generation. Which one a given car has can only be confirmed from the VIN or the car itself. Some items above apply only to certain powertrains.

• 4.0L SOHC 12-valve Cologne V6 (210 hp) with 5R55S 5-speed automatic, RWD or 4WD, model years 2006–2010
  Source: Wikipedia, Ford Explorer article, Fourth generation (U251) section (fetched 2026-10-17); 5R55S application confirmed by Ford TSBs 09-22-15 and 09-12-12
• 4.6L SOHC 24-valve (3-valve) Modular V8 (292 hp) with 6R60 6-speed automatic (Ford 6R family, ZF-based), RWD or 4WD, model years 2006–2010
  Source: Wikipedia, Ford Explorer article, Fourth generation (U251) section (fetched 2026-10-17); 4.6L 3-valve application confirmed by Ford TSB 08-7-6; 4.6L + 6R pairing confirmed by NHTSA recall 07V453000 summary

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

NHTSA campaigns listed for this generation when it was researched (2026-10-17): 05V520000, 07V181000, 07V453000, 10V161000, 06E049000, 07E104000, 10E043000. The list may be out of date.

Manufacturer bulletins (TSBs)

Technical service bulletins are the manufacturer's own guidance to its dealers. A bulletin is not a recall and does not mean a repair is free. Coverage depends on the manufacturer's terms and the VIN.

• Harsh or delayed 1-2, 2-1 and/or 3-2 shift (2006 Explorer; NHTSA bulletin no. 05236, item 10019029)
  Harsh or delayed shifts; PCM/TCM reprogram
  Covered under Ford's original 3 yr/36,000 mi bumper-to-bumper warranty when new; these vehicles are now outside it. Some owners and one technician on explorerforum.com report the reflash did not resolve early-build 2006 cases
  Source: NHTSA TSB index entry as listed on vehicleflaws.com 2006 Explorer page and ford-trucks.com (quoted on explorerforum.com 'Transmission Issues' thread) · applies to 4.0L V6 / 5R55S
• 09-22-15
  5R55S: check engine light, P0713/solenoid-connector DTCs from A/C drain water intrusion; clean connector, apply grease, install patch kit
  Cheap fix (connector cleaning + patch kit). Rule this out before agreeing to transmission work for these codes
  Source: Ford TSB 09-22-15, 2009-11-02 (text quoted on fordtruckfanatics.com; TechShop magazine/Mitchell 1 summary 2012-11-05) · applies to 4.0L V6 / 5R55S
• 09-12-12
  5R55S/W/N: loss of 2nd/3rd/5th, incorrect-ratio DTCs; inspect and repair servo pin bore wear (Rotunda NRL5RW kit) at overhaul
  Repair procedure for rebuilds. Ask any rebuilder whether the servo bores were repaired per this TSB
  Source: Ford TSB 09-12-12 PDF (latemodel.cachefly.net/downloads/tsb05-14/tsb09-12-12.pdf) · applies to 4.0L V6 / 5R55S
• 08-7-6
  Spark plug removal procedure and broken-plug extraction for 4.6L 3-valve (supersedes 08-1-9)
  Procedure only (not a warranty extension). Following it (cold engine, cleaner soak, hand tools) cuts breakage
  Source: Ford TSB 08-7-6 (fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/3637/tsb08-07-06.htm; PDF at latemodel.cachefly.net) · applies to 4.6L V8 / 6R60
• 11-5-5
  2009-2010 4.0L/5R55S harsh downshift while stopping; reprogram PCM
  0.3 hr labor op; inexpensive reflash at a Ford dealer
  Source: Ford TSB 11-5-5 (charm.li Operation CHARM mirror, 2009 Explorer 4WD V6-4.0L) · applies to 4.0L V6 / 5R55S
• 11-11-22 (supersedes 11-2-7)
  2010 4.0L rattle/ticking at cold start from the accessory drive belt tensioner; replace tensioner
  Tensioner job (0.4 hr), not a timing-chain job
  Source: Ford TSB 11-11-22, 2011-11-18 (charm.li mirror, 2010 Explorer 2WD V6-4.0L) · applies to 4.0L V6 / 5R55S
• Customer Satisfaction Program 06B38 (NHTSA TSB index 0638, 2006-04-13)
  Lower radiator hose clamps may crack or break due to a clamp-coating concern; replace clamp
  Clamp only. This is NOT the radiator seam/core leak owners report, and does not cover radiator replacement
  Source: NHTSA TSB index entry 0638 for 2006 Ford Explorer as mirrored on vehicleflaws.com

Warranty and program notes

Extended coverage and special programs documented for this generation. Eligibility depends on the VIN, so verify it with the manufacturer. Do not assume a program does or does not apply.

• We found no Ford warranty extension, recall or US class settlement covering the 2006-2010 transmission or radiator complaints (web and NHTSA searches 2026-10-17/23). Repairs were covered under Ford's standard new-vehicle warranty (3 yr/36,000 mi bumper-to-bumper; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain) within its terms. Some owners told NHTSA they were refused help after warranty, e.g. "THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS" (ODI 10335041) commonly reported
  Source: NHTSA complaints ODI 10249751, 10335041; web searches 2026-10-17 and 2026-10-23 found no settlement
• Customer Satisfaction Program 06B38 replaced cracking lower radiator hose clamps on 2006 Explorers at no charge (2006). Verify eligibility by VIN with the manufacturer. verified source
  Source: NHTSA TSB index 0638 (2006-04-13) as mirrored on vehicleflaws.com

NHTSA complaint records

NHTSA records show 1139 consumer complaints on file for model years 2006–2010 (pulled 2026-10-17). These are tallies of complaints that name a component, matched on NHTSA's component field. They are not failure rates, and a complaint is a consumer report, not a finding that a part failed. Each complaint's comma-separated 'components' field split; a complaint naming several components counts once toward each, so these sum to more than total.

• POWER TRAIN425
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING183
• ENGINE125
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM116
• SEATS85
• SERVICE BRAKES76
• VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL67
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER50

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-10-17. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.