Looking at a Specific 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT?
Start here...enter its VIN for a free vehicle history record check.


Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2006 > Ford > EXPLORER

2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT
4 Dr. Wagon/Sport Utility
4 wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used FORD.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


Let us do the work!
Be the first to know about 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT vehicles just listed for sale in your area.

Heading Graphic Print the Report

NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
Divider image
 
Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 5 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 5 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 5 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 3 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
Divider image

Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   G
Structure/Safety Cage   G
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   G
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   G
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. <p>The Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer were re-engineered for the 2006 model year. Frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford as part of <a href="frontal_test_info.html">frontal crash test verification</a>.</p> <p>The frontal offset crash test ratings also apply to the Explorer Sport Trac, which was redesigned for the 2007 model year (no 2006 model Sport Trac was available). The Sport Trac is very similar to the Explorer, except that it has an open cargo bed behind the occupant compartment in place of the Explorer's enclosed cargo area with optional third row seat.</p> Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail and B-pillar. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Head accelerations from the roof rail and B-pillar hits were low. 2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd 4716 front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags 114 193 74 4.0 L V6 15 20

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT . The crashworthiness data for this 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
Divider image

Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
Divider image

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) does not provide injury, collision or theft information for this 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT .

Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI
Collision Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI
Theft Index No data from HLDI No data from HLDI


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. Injury, collision, and theft indicators are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.



Safety Recalls
Divider image

NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 199,942
NHTSA campaign number: 05V520000
Defective part or component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Description: On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear. After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility. Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall is expected to begin on November 21, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or Lincoln/Mercury at 1-800-521-4140.


This 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT?
Start here...enter its VIN for a free vehicle history record check.


Heading Graphic Print the Report

J.D. Power Ratings
Divider image

Ownership: Rating:
Overall Manufacturing Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Mechanical Manufacturing Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Manufacturing Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Manufacturing Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Design Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Mechanical Design Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Design Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Design Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 3 of 5
  Performance Rating 2.5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 3 of 5
  Style Rating 3 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
Divider image
Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 2006 FORD EXPLORER reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
Divider image

Category:    Explorer XLT 4WD w/4.0L Engine:
Depreciation $17,961
Financing $4,284
Insurance $6,821
State Fees $573
Fuel $10,254
Maintenance $1,845
Repairs $874
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $42,611

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
Divider image

Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint systems are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Alignment and wheel balance covered for 1 year 12,000 miles Tires are covered under warranty. 6.0L diesel engine covered 5 year or 100,000 miles,$100.00 deductible after basic warranty.  

This 2006 FORD EXPLORER XLT warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
Divider image

Category: Review:
Summary:

New and improved for 2006.
By Jim McCraw, NewCarTestDrive.com

Ford is a lot better at trucks than cars these days, and with the new Explorer, they have shown just how good they are at getting the basics right and getting the pricing realigned. They understand that today's customer is keenly aware of all the choices in this segment, is simply not willing to pay as much for a new SUV as they may have been five years ago, and that the new customer wants more goodies for the money or he or she will go elsewhere. This new Explorer is as much an exercise in cost accounting as truck design, and it succeeds on both counts. Overall, a great value.

New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from Dearborn, Michigan.

Overview:

When you mess with a winner, you must be very, very careful, and that's what Ford was when they redesigned the Explorer, America's favorite midsize sport utility for the last 15 years in a row.

By careful we don't mean conservative, either. By careful, we mean Ford spent serious effort dotting the i's and crossing the t's, looking after the details that make all the difference. At the same time, Ford realigned the models and overhauled the pricing structure, giving customers more truck for less money, nearly $4,000 less in some cases.

The new Explorer is available with a V6 or V8. It's a traditional midsize SUV with body-on-frame construction, and competes against the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, and Nissan Pathfinder.

We were well pleased with the new steering, the new suspension, and the new brakes used on the 2006 model, all of which have improved by at least one order of magnitude. The new 2006 Explorer is quieter than last year's model and it rides better. It also leans less in corners and the brakes are more responsive. The rear seats fold flatter than on last year's models and the interior has been improved throughout.

Read the complete 2006 Ford Explorer review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
Divider image

View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



Unauthorized Usage Disclaimer

CARFAX DEPENDS ON ITS SOURCES FOR THE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF ITS INFORMATION. THEREFORE, NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED BY CARFAX OR ITS AGENTS FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THIS REPORT. CARFAX FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

SYSTEMATIC RETRIEVAL OF THE CONTENT OR OTHER DATA FROM THIS SITE TO CREATE OR COMPILE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, A COLLECTION, COMPILATION, DATABASE OR DIRECTORY WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CARFAX IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THE CARFAX SAFETY & RELIABILITY RATINGS IS SUBJECT TO THE CARFAX.COM TERMS OF USE.

© 2008 CARFAX, Inc., an R.L. Polk & Co. All rights reserved.