FordExplorer2006Overview/ford/explorer/2006/base/

2006 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Explorer.

Body SUV

The 2006 Ford Explorer is an SUV with an engine oil capacity of 5.0 quarts and a 5W-30 API viscosity requirement, a straightforward service signature that defines its mechanical identity. In owner-reported data covering 1990–2025, the 2006 model accumulated 635 complaints, with Power Train issues cited most often and four recalls on record. That total sits far below the 3,620 complaints logged for the peak 2002 model year and above the 12 recorded for 1990, so the 2006 Explorer is neither the most complained-about nor the quietest year in the documented span, meaning researchers should treat its Power Train complaints and four recalls as the dominant reliability focal points rather than evidence of the nameplate's worst model year.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235-70R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height72.8 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4630 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2006 Eddie Bauer V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006Eddie Bauer V8 4.6L V87.80 sec16.20 sec292 hp4x4
2006Limited V8 4.6L V88.00 sec16.30 sec292 hp4x4
2007Sport Trac Limited V8 4.6L V87.90 sec16.20 sec292 hp4x4
2007Sport Trac Limited V8 4.6L V88.20 sec16.50 sec292 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.052-.056 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.052-.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 1.94. With auxiliary A/C, 2.94. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 16.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test18-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-207 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-40
RPM30-40 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30-40

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.45 in / 1.145 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.43 in / 1.122 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 degrees, Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 90 degrees, must not exceed 148 ft. lbs.(200Nm).66 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
124 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2turn 80 degrees80 degrees
3turn 80
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the fourth generation (2006‑2010) the 2006 Ford Explorer records 635 complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations and 40 TSBs. This follows a sharp decline from the 2002 peak of 3,620 complaints and 14 recalls, with 2005 showing the lowest complaint count in the period at 568 complaints and 3 recalls. Compared to 2005, 2006 sees a modest rise in complaints (+67) and recalls (+1) while investigations drop to zero. After 2006, complaint numbers fall further to 208 in 2007 and 148 in 2008 before rising again in later years, indicating that 2006 sits at the low‑end of the complaint arc for this generation. Given its relatively low complaint and recall frequency relative to earlier years in the generation, the 2006 Explorer represents a reasonable used‑vehicle option, though the data does not specify any underlying causes for the remaining issues.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
40
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
635
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 635 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train236
Engine & Engine Cooling137
Engine21
Power Train,Engine17
Unknown Or Other15
Electrical System13
Fuel System, Gasoline13
Vehicle Speed Control12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

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… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

07E104000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 11/12/2007

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… Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 40 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 519092023-09-07Power TrainWhen performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
DOR-S3J9G-112018-10-02SteeringThis SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of…
SSM 473312018-06-01EngineVarious vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Explorer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C946-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.