Driving on a highway I-95 in Florida. The vehicle started to miss as we accelerated. We took the car into a Ford dealer service for plug replacement. This auto has a 4.6 litre V-8 engine. We were amazed to find that it will cost upwards of $1000 to replace 8 spark plugs. That cost esculates if any plugs are broken. The plugs are two piece construction and separate on removal. Only Ford can remove the plugs and more will be charged for any broken. It is impossible to remove these plugs without breakage. Ford recommends not changing the plugs until 100,000 miles. By that time you are out of guaranty and if they are hard to come out at 60,000 miles imagine if they are left in. These plugs are known to blow out of the head and I am sure there are many accidents. I am a disabled veteran 83 years old and a mechanical engineer. My wife and I are fishermen and need a vehicle to bring our boat to water. We are avid Ford owners and are greatly dissapointed.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

Purchase this vehicle in 2011 once it was home within 3 months began having problems, I also purchase the Ford extended warranty and took it back to the dealership. They explained they could not find an issue with the transmission. It jolts, lunges, and sometimes the transmission doesn't engage. I feel extremely unsafe trying to pull out at an intersection because the car starts to jolt and I have to slam on the gas in order for the car to go.it is horrible and I feel very unsafe driving; especially with my children in the car. Even if I am driving on the interstate I have to put the car into overdrive to stop the majority of the jolting, and that does not even guarantee it will stop. It has been a battle with the dealership. Had it independently checked by aamco and the transmission replaced, but the issue still occurs. Not sure what can be done. This vehicle needs to be recalled.

- Gainesille, VA, USA

I bought my first Ford Explorer almost 8 years ago. I had absolutely no problems with this vehicle and felt very safe driving my newborn son. I had a second son and decided to buy a new Ford Explorer because it was such a dependable car. Now I am regretting that decision. I bought a 2006 Ford Explorer at round 60,000 miles. It now has 70,000 and I have already had to get another transmission and it still has not fixed the problem. It jolts, lunges, and sometimes the transmission doesn't engage. I feel extremely unsafe trying to pull out at an intersection because the car starts to jolt and I have to slam on the gas in order for the car to go.it is horrible and I feel very unsafe driving; especially with my children in the car. Even if I am driving on the interstate I have to put the car into overdrive to stop the majority of the jolting, and that does not even guarantee it will stop. My husband is in the military and gone a great deal. He should not have to worry about the safety of his children or wife when he is deployed overseas or when he is training away from home. He is currently away from home for training, getting ready for deployment. He is calling every chance he gets to make sure the car has not broken down or we have not been in and accident due to this very horrible vehicle. If I had enough money I would buy another vehicle and tell everyone not to ever buy a Ford again. I think I am more upset with the fact that my husband is possible being sent overseas in October, and he cannot even go to war with the knowledge his family is safe. I really wish someone would understand that this is a huge problem and major safety problem. Please help all of the families with this defect.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

We bought this used from a used car dealership. The very next day I noticed while driving the engine just shut off. Couple months later the same thing happened and has continued to happen often. Last week I was driving 45 mph on a highway in the rain and lost all control of the vehicle. The brakes didn't work, the steering didn't work, the entire car shut down, I had a panic attack because I was in traffic and almost caused a huge accident with other vehicles. I put on the hazards and finally was able to drift into a the middle of the road called the turning lane. I called the dealership many times and have only been told "we are sorry". I tried calling a lemon law lawyer but was told, sorry, if the truck was a 2007 then I would have a case. So, now what do I do? I have a 10,000 car loan for a vehicle that I am frightened to drive anywhere. Please help me.

- Souderton, PA, USA

I was driving up small hill-dry conditions and the car shut down. On coming vehicle swerved and avoided collision. This has happened many times after the traction control sensor comes on. The car also jumps out when shifting gears and sometimes it is very hard to shift. Transmission problem! safety recall imperative!

- Tavernier , FL, USA

I've had multiple problems with this car. First the car shifts hard approx between 10 mph and 20 mph, the car lunges, stalls, then shifts hard into gear. When it first happened, I took the car to a certified mechanic and they did a complete transmission flush... the car ran smooth for about 10 days, then it started leaking transmission fluid which resulted in my radiator being ruined. Replaced the radiator and a plug in the transmission. ($1,800) the car then ran fine up this past Sunday. The car as me and my wife were driving home from a 400 mile trip with the ac running, the wrench light came on and the car started lunging and shifting hard again. I exited off the highway and the check engine light came on... the car started shifting hard between 2nd and 3rd gear and making a loud clunk noise. Took it to the mechanic and he did another transmission flush on Monday June 16, 2014... two days later and the car still lunges, stalls, and shifts hard. I called Ford and they said because the car is out of warranty, there's nothing they could do. I even asked them because there are so many complaints about the 2006 transmission, they still couldn't help me. The second problem is the car even though in park, it tends to roll down the driveway into the street in the middle of the night/ early morning... this happened a couple of times... told Ford about the problem, and because the car is out of warranty there's nothing they could do... the last problem is every once and a while the car doesn't shift into reverse... told Ford about the problem and once again, because the car is out of warranty there's nothing they could do...

- Summit, NJ, USA

The contact owns 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 40 mph, there was a loud noise in the front end as the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had already taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer who replaced the radiator twice but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the radiator and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000. The VIN was not available.

- Henry, IL, USA

While traveling on the highway the vehicle suddenly lost power as if it stalled. Engine was running but vehicle had no power. Vehicle had to be turned off and restarted to regain power. Always feared being rear ended or stalling on railroad tracks. Dealer determined it was electronic throttle control and replaced it. The vehicle has not had this malfunction since the repair about 18 months ago.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

Shifting of transmission slams hard on a fast take off, then at 45 or above cycles gears and won't stay in overdrive.

- Portage, IN, USA

Driving at 45 mph, transmission shifted with a jerky motion, first started then.when you first take off it jerks and makes a noise. When you back up it jerks hard enough it whips you body back. Had it checked at a transmission place. They tore it down and found nothing ( $400). Still jerks and shifts rough. Don't know how long it's going to last.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Dear sir first of all, I would like to state that I am not a us citizen, but, I'm a family man & I feel for others, I own a Ford Explorer 06, and recently I've been noticing that the trans has a mind of it's own, shifting wrongly, jolting into gear is not enjoyable or safe, the other day I was about to have an accident because the trans refused to shift when I tried to accelerate in order to escape a situation of hitting a car next to me, I've looked it up on the internet & found that everybody is complaining of the same issues, you can go for the below site & check www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2006/transmission/transmission_lunges_hard_jolt_when_shifting.shtml the problem is that Ford won't admit that there is something wrong with the transmission, putting peoples life in danger for a few dollars more please fix this as it's very critical & dangerous at the same time [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Riyadh, AL, USA

Since purchasing this vehicle new in January 2007 the radiator has been replaced twice. Now, in December 2013 with 114000 miles, the radiator is losing coolant and the engine smells of coolant after driving. Most likely the radiator will have to be replaced for the third time.

- Hoover, AL, USA

We bought the used vehicle in March 2012 with a 30 day warranty. During the first month, noticed engine slipping (usually around 45 mph). Checked fluids, added coolant and naively thought the problem would go away, and it seemed to for about a month. However, the engine/transmission slippage has gotten much worse since then. We are constantly adding coolant and driving very carefully to avoid a hard jerk in the transmission around 45 mph. When we took it to the local Ford dealership, they said that the "transmission was probably shot" but that they could change the spark plugs "for about $250 each even though that probably wouldn't help." How in the world can a spark plug be this expensive to change? the dealership charged us nearly $200 to run diagnostics for a problem that we now know is related to this particular vehicle. This should have long ago been a recall, and Ford should be ashamed of itself for not fixing the problem sooner.

- Starkville, MS, USA

My son was driving home and the truck started jerking uncontrollably and he couldn't back up so had to call a tow truck. All of the transmission fluid had leaked out due to radiator failure. The truck was off warranty so had to buy a new radiator. In order for the radiator to have a warranty had to buy another part from the Ford place for $200. Got the part and radiator. Within six months to a year, same thing happened, had to have another radiator. Have had three radiators and now this year 2013 leaking again and the radiator that I paid $600 for the radiator place has went out of business so I have to buy another radiator. This is an ongoing problem with this 2006 Ford Explorer XLT and Ford knows about it. I am afraid to drive it half the time, never know when I won't be able to move it if all of the fluid leaks out or may stop in traffic suddenly. Please help us to get Ford to recall these trucks.

- Meridian, MS, USA

Both of these things have been happening over the last 2-3 years but I can not remember exact dates. First my car has been running hot continuously over this period of time which causes me to have to put coolant in at least once every month. I took it to the dealership and they told me this was common with the Explorer but there has not been a recall so I would have to pay out of pocket. They first told me it was the line to the radiator that was leaking so I had it replaced, then next time it was the thermostat and housing that they said was the problem. So I had this replaced. Now today 9/19/2013 I had to replace the radiator. It doesn't matter what I seem to fix this problem continues to occur. Secondly my car jerks into gear when I try to put in gear. They are telling me now I need a transmission but I see this is a recurring problems with many Explorer owners and it doesn't fix the problem either. I don't know what else to do because my car is jerking which causes me to almost hit people or doesn't go into gear fast enough which causes them to almost hit me. Please help!!! these problems first started to occur around 40000 miles. My problem is radiator and transmission.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

While driving at 40 mph car speed went to 0 mph, transmission totally slipped. Second time it has happened. Once I sit there for about 15 minutes on side of road it will they start to work as it should. But it does make loud noises while motor shifts gears. This is a known transmission problem yet no Ford recall. Unacceptable!!!

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

Transmission disengaged at red light. It started going backwards instead of forward. Had to put into park and then back into drive to get it to drive. Still going on. Now when actually on the road it is getting out of gear when vehicle is at driving speed. Engine revs up to 5000rpms, then down to 1000rpm. Vehicle lunging. Will get hurt I'm sure.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

From July 5th to present my 2006 Ford Explorer truck was toed to the dealership 3 times. Each time it was for the same problem overheating. This has been a constant problem with this car since it was purchased in December 2005. The radiator has been replace twice, the transmission once, the throttle, etc. I have been told that now after the radiator was a replaced and the throttle, etc. At a cost of $2300.the car now needs a new engine and /or gaskets that need replacing. I cannot understand why a car with normal mileage, which was only involved in one minor fender bender.can need so much major work.

- Washington, D.C., DC, USA

I was driving 25 mph and turning left to a small street. I saw an engine light show on, and then the engine stop. At that point, I couldn't turn the wheel, and also it was so difficult for me to stop the vehicle. I had mention this problem at the Ford dealer in greenfield, MA who fixed my ABS break about two weeks ago. A person at the service responded, " that's normal. Our computer does not see other issue beside the ABS." I spend $85 for diagnosis the ABS break problem and spend almost $500 to fix the break. I took my vehicle to a small body shop in my area. This person ran the computer through the vehicle system, and the computer did not shown any problems. Then, I called Ford corporate and tried to get some advice from the company. The company said I should take the vehicle to a different dealer to get other opinion. Meaning that I have to pay another $85 again, and I still do not know I will get an answer or not. My concern, I do not want to cause an accident.

- Winchester, NH, USA