Explorer (4th)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Ford Explorer Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
4.6-V8-Gas
4.6L 8-cyl / 292 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
ISB
3.0L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.9-I6-Diesel
5.9L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2006-2010 Ford Explorer
On a used 2006-2010 Ford Explorer, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (419), the engine (303) and the cooling system (181). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 419 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 303 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 181 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 131 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer about the electrical system.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints on the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2006-2010 Ford Explorer complaints?
Owners have filed 1,119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the cooling system.
Is the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA has 1,119 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2006-2010 Ford Explorer vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Explorer?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the engine and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Explorer?
The 2010 Ford Explorer received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,119 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.