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Transmission Lunges, Hard Jolt When Shifting
2006 Ford Explorer (Page 1 of 12)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
CarComplaints.com Notes: The previous generation of Explorer was so awful that the redesign in 2006 was greeted with much optimism. That didn't last long.
The transmission continues to be the Explorer's worst reliability problem. Owners report shifting hard & lunging, typically starting as low as 40k miles with a $1,600 average repair bill. On top of that, the radiator is prone to failure around 60k miles. Repairs for the radiator run $500 to $1,000 & many owners report they've had to replace the radiator multiple times for leaks, indicating a possible design defect in the OEM replacement parts.
Ford did make some significant changes to improve handling and safety. Electronic stability control was added in addition to side impact air bags, but beyond that this is a vehicle that should be avoided at all costs.
7.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,890
- Average Mileage:
- 49,950 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 237 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (149 reports)
- replace the transmission (44 reports)
- TSB from Ford reprogramming the transmission control (11 reports)
- replace transmission module (7 reports)
- reprogrammed the transmission (4 reports)
- solenoid assembly replaced (4 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- File A Safety Complaint NHTSA - I too have the same exact problem with my 2006 Explorer. It lunges, jolts, doesn't engage and sometimes the transmission slams into gear so had that it feels like I just got rear ended with a big bang! Ford does not take accountability that this is a real problem with the 06' Explorer espite hundreds upon hundreds of complaints regardng it as a safety issue. I did some research and found that you can file a complait with the NHTSA regarding the transmission failures for the 2006 Ford Explorer. It is a major safey issue! I was almost hit by oncoming traffic whn I tried to cross an intersection an the transmissionwouldn't engage. I had my child in the car. Fortuntely, the oncoming traffic was paying attention and I escaped an accident. Maybe if eoug of us file a complaint regarding this issue we just might make Ford accountable for their faulty transmissions.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Ford needs to take responsibility for failing transmissions! 5/17/2017, I took my SUV to AAMCO to have the transmission evaluated as it was jerking forward like I was hit from behind. I was told the transmission needed to be re-built and then the ridiculous cost! I proceeded with the repair and the SUV was great for about a year. So the transmission began hesitating, jerking forward, so I called AAMCO and the SUV was under warranty so they had to re-build it again! Now March 2019, the transmission was shifting hard when trying to go into reverse so off to AAMCO I go and the manager there told me nothing was wrong with my SUV.
My husband called him again and again complaining and finally in August 2019, the transmission failed and refused to go into gears. Gee, my warranty was up in May and when it was under warranty in March, the manager refused to help. Out of the goodness of their heart, their new manager said the Transfer case and Differential were replaced. Not even three weeks later this dang SUV is jerking again! Now AAMCO said they have no clue what is wrong with it and there are numerous complaints online regarding the design of this transmission! Doesn't Ford understand this is a safety issue? Why should I have to shell out thousands of dollars for this hunk of junk and even if I totally replaced the entire transmission shell and all parts, the same thing would happen again!!! Never ever buy Ford!
- Lavelle H., Ocala, US