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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,706 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This transmission should be recalled!!!! the reverse band breaks and is a known issue for this transmission!! no warning just went to reverse and nothing! upon research this has been a known issue since day one!!
Complete failure of the powertrain electrical harness. Heat degradation to wire insulation has exposed all conductors. Several other owner operators have experienced the same issue wherein the Dealer has attempted repair of existing trouble codes, by replacing sensors, modules and components. Problems range from vehicle shut-off at speed, vehicle fires, no-start and failed PCM modules due to short to power or short to ground. Based on my findings, this specifically impacts vehicles ranging from 2006-2010, Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer with the 4.0L SOHC engine.
The transmissions have a problem and have had a problem for years. They can fail without notice and cause a vehicle to lose momentum while going down the road. Yes this is an older vehicle but if you look up older comments on this vehicle on other reporting sites there are many reports of transmissions causing serious problems. Why has this never been dealt with in any manner? I was driving down the highway and my vehicle began to slow down and would not move forward. I was able to get the vehicle in gear and get it to the shop. I paid to replace the transmission and it did it again in the new transmission. I almost did not make it up the hill near my home and have been forced to park the vehicle as it is not safe to drive.
I was turning from turning lane into wal-mart and when I gave it gas the transmission slipped and wouldn't move. Luckily no cars were coming and it finally kicked in and let me pull into the parking lot. I just bought this and was looking up the issue and found out this is a problem with Ford Explorer 2002 - 2006. Why isn't there a recall on these transmissions? this is very dangerous!
I purchased a 2006 Ford Explorer, eddie bauer. I needed the transmission rebuilt and paid aamco almost $4,000. Not even a year later the transmission failed and had to be re-built again but it was under warranty. Back in March 2019, I took it back to aamco and was told nothing wrong with the transmission. August 2019, I went back to aamco and they replaced the solenoid pack is what I was told. Now, not even a month later the transmission has failed again. The SUV jerks when placed into gear and it feels as though someone rear ended me. The transmission is faulty by the manufacturer, Ford! there are hundreds of complaints regarding the transmission of this year Explorer with the same issues and Ford will not take responsibility! it's not right that consumers have to shell out thousands of dollars on this piece of junk they manufactured which can cause accidents! something has to be done.
- Ocala, FL, USA
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When the car is put in reverse and you give it gas, it shifts really hard and jerks and slips. I think that something is wrong with the transmission. This happened while I was leaving work and put the car into reverse to leave the parking lot.
1. rear wiper quit working several years ago. Sluggish and now froze up. Hasn't worked for a long time. 2. replaced radiator several years ago. Replaced thermostat several times over the years. Then... 2018, September, -- disappearing coolant from radiator for last 6 months with no obvious leak. Car over heated in August but no obvious leak. Kept refilling... 3 days ago bottom thermostat housing sprung a big leak and car overheated major. Replaced thermostat, and full thermostat housing. Internet recommends updating software because of overheating, but is priced at about $110 at all dealerships.
Transmission been slipping on 2nd or 3rd gear I believe I never towed or carry heavy loads at all it's been doing this since the first month I purchase it and it's been getting worst since
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle made a loud abnormal noise. Suddenly, the vehicle would not shift into reverse or drive. The vehicle was towed to an independent transmission shop. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to provide assistance. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 114,000.
My Explorer's transmission is starting to exhibit hard shifts that rattle the entire car. I know this is not a new problem as a family member had to replace the transmission in their 2006 Explorer and cyber community is full of examples. This is a major safety issue as the transmission hesitates while excelerating through intersections and shifts hard enough to jolt the entire car while slowing down.
I own a 2006 Ford Explorer eddie bauer, bought used in 2011/61000K. Since 2012 the car started showing problems with the power steering and /or engine. When driving at 35-40 mph on a highway the car started to surge forward, then back, keeping surging until the car reached a higher speed of 60. If driving on a hill, it will loose its speed. I took the car to Ford dealer and they couldn't find the problem. The car now is 120000K, still same problem. Very disappointed with Ford that will not take responsibility for the problemas.
The automatic transmission is banging into gear. It jolts the vehicle back and forth as it shifts. Tried replacing transmission fluid but continues to do it. Feels like I've been rear-ended at times. Its a consistent occurrence.
Overdrive has a hard jolt " hard shift" when normal driving. I see this is a big issue with all Ford Explorer, too bad I didn't do some research before buying a Ford.
Transmission occasionally lurches and makes very hard shifts between gears. Engine races between hard shifts. Have loss of power between shifts which has almost resulted in causing an accident. Lurching seems to occur mostly after driving at 20 to 30 miles per hour for at least 20 minutes.
Got 2006 eddie bauer w/98,000, 1 previous owner (mother) all servicing via the same Ford dealer (gene butman), except for a few oil changes from uncle ed's. late Nov 2016 took it in due to the heat was fluctuating, was told it needed the thermostat and housing replaced (even though it had the radiator replaced a few years earlier), also had brakes & rotors done, the 100,000 mile checkup said all was good. A week later the exhaust flute, etc broke lose, got that repaired & $2,000 later, Friday 2/03/17 wrench light came on, then engine light, vehicle seemed to lunge forward, delay, doesn't engage..accelerate, feels like the transmission is hanging and then slams into gear. A thud feeling was also reported by my mother several times in previous years to the dealer, they could not find anything wrong, so she had then document it. Today I am told a transmission is needed, which is a unexpected huge & saddening surprise - in 2012 and 2013 there had already been transmission work on the vehicle. Checked and see all reports about this particular model has occurred on this one, cooling system/radiator/thermostat and housing issues, exhaust issues and now transmission issues -- there are thousands of reports for this exact model and other Explorer and Ford vehicles, all known issues, many explanations why it occurred with this model and that Ford is aware of them and has provided no recalls for any of these serious defective matters, none - especially when each are very dangerous matters. Today I am told, that a new transmission will be: $5,400, 3 year warranty and a used transmission: $3,600 12 mos or 12,000 miles. Both options are very very expensive. What can NHTSA do, will a recall ever occur" it seems Ford needs to step in and help with these repairs. It there any help with these matters & cost" www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2006/.
Driving down the hwy the powertrain malfunction indicator came on. I lost all use of the fuel pedal and brake. Had to get to the side of the hwy with out dying. If I turn the car off and back on the indicator is gone and works just fine. This situation has happened at least 5 times in the last 3 months. Nothing shows up when I plug in a code reader.
I am a military spouse and driving home from ft bragg at 50 miles an hour my truck started costing so I had to pull over and have it towed. I had a Ford do a full diagnosis a month before this and the truck only needed barons. Lafayette Ford fay nc 28306
Check engine lite and orange wrench lite which shuts car down no excelration pedal power steering gone and no brake control on freeway coming home. Trans. Will not shift and jumps when wrench lite is on very dangerous this has been going on since April took back to dealer sent to mechanic replaced 2 parts on excelleration module. Still not right.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Niles, MI, USA