Ford Explorer 4th generation (2006–2010)
Generation-specific owner insights from 80+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
1,139
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2006–2010
13
recall campaigns
power train
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2006-2010 Explorer generally regard it as a solid, long-lasting vehicle whose main weakness is the automatic transmission, particularly behind the V6.
13 problems reported (1 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 8 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentTransmission failure
Especially the 5R55 series behind the V6, with servo bore wear causing delayed shifts into 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, then slipping and eventual gear loss.
- RecurrentTiming chain guide and cassette wear on the 4.0L SOHC
Causing rattling and potential chain stretch or breakage.
- RecurrentExhaust manifold warping on the 4.6L V8 causing a cold-start ticking noise and broken studs
+ 10 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentFront wheel bearing noise
- RecurrentOverheating from thermostat, water pump, coolant leaks, or air in the cooling system
- IsolatedCoil pack problems on the 4.6L V8
- IsolatedThrottle body issues causing unintended revving
- IsolatedCoolant smell and hissing from the passenger side, traced to coolant reservoir cap or hose leaks
- IsolatedBlend door stuck, causing air to stop coming from dash vents
- IsolatedPCM failure producing erroneous oxygen sensor codes
- IsolatedStarter or low battery causing rapid rattling on startup
- IsolatedSYNC and USB aux connectivity problems
- IsolatedA-pillar exterior trim detaching at speed
The version owners recommend
The 4.6L V8 is the consensus best engine for this generation, repeatedly described as more reliable than the 4.0L V6. Owners also favor later model years within the generation, with one noting Ford made updates over the run and advising to get as close to the end of the run as possible. The V8 is also noted as less common than the V6.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Nissan Murano and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Is a 2006–2010 Explorer right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the 2006-2010 Explorer generally regard it as a solid, long-lasting vehicle whose main weakness is the automatic transmission, particularly behind the V6. The 4.6L V8 is consistently praised as the more reliable engine choice, while the 4.0L V6 draws more criticism for timing chain guide concerns and its pairing with the problematic 5-speed automatic. High-mileage examples are frequently reported still running, with some owners describing 237,000 to 283,000 miles of relatively trouble-free use. The tone is pragmatic: buy the V8, budget for transmission work, and stay on top of maintenance.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Explorer as a body-on-frame-style truck with a low range and transfer case, more towing capacity, and more interior cargo room than car-based crossover competitors. Against the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, owners note those vehicles had their own transmission problems in the same era, so the Explorer is not seen as uniquely flawed. The Toyota 4Runner is cited as requiring less overall maintenance and fewer shop visits, while the Highlander and other crossovers are described as better built and more fuel efficient but less capable for towing and cargo. The V8 Explorer in particular is held up as a durable alternative to crossovers, with one owner saying "you can't kill those 4.6 v8."
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 4.6L V8 over the 4.0L V6 for reliability. For the V6, owners advise confirming the timing chains and guides have been serviced, noting the engine must be pulled to do so. Buyers are told to check transmission engagement from drive to reverse, since delays there signal an impending rebuild. Owners also advise changing spark plugs soon after purchase and not waiting for a 100k interval, and pulling plugs only when the engine is cool because the aluminum heads risk warping.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who need towing capability and cargo room and who are willing to budget for transmission maintenance. Owners strongly favor the V8 and later model years. On inspection, check for delayed engagement into drive and reverse, listen for timing chain rattle, check for exhaust manifold ticking on cold start, and inspect front wheel bearings. Owners warn that a transmission without servo bore bushings or a remanufactured unit will eventually fail, and that a rebuild costs roughly the same as a remanufactured transmission. One owner noted that after addressing the transmission, the rest of the vehicle is reasonably reliable to around 150,000-200,000 miles.
Remarks
Owners repeatedly emphasize that the transmission is the defining ownership risk for this generation and that the V8 avoids the worst of it. Several owners report very high mileage on well-used examples, including a 2008 4.0L with 283,000 miles on original components. One owner noted the interior from the B-pillar forward is identical between the Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac for this generation, which helps when sourcing parts like floor mats. Analysis based on approximately 80 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 115 | 2 | power train |
| 2009 | 33 | 1 | unknown or other |
| 2008 | 148 | 3 | electrical system |
| 2007 | 208 | 3 | power train |
| 2006 | 635 | 4 | power train |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2010 · seats:front assembly:reclinercampaign 10V161000
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
2010 · equipmentcampaign 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
2009 · equipmentcampaign 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
2008 · visibility:glass, side/rearcampaign 07E104000
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
2008 · equipmentcampaign 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
2008 · power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and linescampaign 07V453000
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
2007 · visibility:glass, side/rearcampaign 07E104000
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
2007 · equipmentcampaign 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
2007 · steeringcampaign 07V181000
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
2006 · exterior lightingcampaign 06E049000
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
2006 · visibility:glass, side/rearcampaign 07E104000
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
2006 · equipmentcampaign 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
1 more recall not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.