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.
This vehicle has had on going transmission problems for the past 3 years. Spent $3200 to have it completely overhauled and then 2 years later the same problem starts.
oh no, the piss off sh*t dealership guys are the ones to blame for all this. they buy f*cked up cars n make them shiny to lure innocent people inn , charge an arm n a leg then we the consumers get fkd. I haven't had this vehicle for over 6 months n the transmission is going out on me already. it stalls when I step on the gas then it gets stuck making this laud grunt to finally kick up a gear n get moving. idk what the problem is, but I was told by a hustling ass mechanic its gonna be 1600 for a new transmission. FML!
I just had the trans fluid exchange done on it ~6 months ago. I've always kept up on maintenance on this vehicle, and for this to suddenly happen is frustrating, because the repair will probably cost as much as the truck is worth.
My wife drove the Explorer to and from school & church, right at 97k miles the transmission started slipping while on highway. Took it to the dealership and after 4 days they said it was a transmission issue and it needed to be rebuilt...3600 dollars later it worked for about a year and its back in the shop as of yesterday with the same issue.
I will know more Monday or Tuesday....
I am amazed there is no recall or lawsuit regarding the transmission issues, there are virtually over 10k complaints around transmission issue with 60% requiring rebuild or new OEM transmission and pray it doesn't break again.
I JUST PURCHASED 2006 FORD EXPLORER FROM DRIVE TIME DEALER. IN LESS THAN 400 MILES I AM EXPERIENCING HESITATION IN ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING A INCLINE OF SOME SORT AND ALSO WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT.
SO I WENT ON LINE TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS WERE MADE ON THE THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I DID NOT SEE ANY PERTAINING TO TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER.
BASICALLY FROM THE REVIEWS I READ IT CAN COST IN UPWARDS OF $2000 TO HAVE ISSUE FIXED. IN MOST CASES IT STILL DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. FOR ONCE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LARGE COMPANY SUCH AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE PLACED IN THE 2006 EXPLORER 4.6 LITER CAME FACTORY FLAWED.
PLEASE DO THE CONSUMER SOME JUSTICE AND DO A RECALL AND OWN UP THE SHODDY CRAFTSMANSHIP ON THESE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE LOOKS GOOD SEEMS TO BE IN WORKING ORDER IN REGARDS TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE.
There is a 5 to 15 second delay when shifting into reverse or drive. While waiting at a stop light it will disengage out of drive-without shifting into neutral, every time you stop or slow down. The engine can be cold or at operating temperature when this happens. While driving it will randomly disengage from drive and rev without accelerating briefly, then it engages and you are ok, for a bit.. until the next time you slow or stop. I had the fault codes read and it said P0760.The part to repair it is Dorman shifter repair circuit board part number 924-707, for $27.99.
This is on top of a repair that we just completed. The problems with this vehicle are too numerous to mention! I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone, even my worst enemy cuz let’s face it. You would want them as far from you as they can be and it wouldn’t happen in this lemon! I have read other reports about the shifting issues and some drivers being stuck in the middle of an intersection placing them in harms way. We will replace this shift circuit board, but something tells me this won’t be the last time we sink more into this horrible money pit!
Happy motoring, but don’t get stuck with this junker!!
Transmission hesitates from 1300 to 1600 RPM. Been told I need a torque converter and possibly a valve box. At 90000 miles, I am surprised to need to spend quite a bit of money to repair. This is not a cheap vehicle.
A transmission should last a lot longer than 90000 miles before needing major repair, especially a truck.
Like other 2006 Explorer owners, I'm also having problems. I have been at a stop light with my foot on the brake, when my transmission lunges into gear. I took it in for servicing and they couldn't find anything. On other occasions, when stopped at a light, I depress the brake and press the excelerator to go but the transmission hesitates and shortly after there is a hard jolt into gear and the truck then excelerates. I'm so disappointed. The truck is paid for and it's the perfect size for what I use it for. I bought a Ford because I thought it was dependable. The repairman told me to wait until it does this regularly. Shaking my head.
I did not realize others had problems with their transmission until today. This is my 3rd ford explorer. I have really enjoyed them, but this one is leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I haven't been driving it much because of the problems. Now I am not driving it at all because of the problem. I was afraid of doing more damage. But reading the complaints, I don't think I could do anymore damage than whats already done.
Some time ago I had heard a strange noise, but had not associated with transmission. SUDDENLY LAST WEEK THE RPM began to increase but the vehicle was not strong, I had to stop and wait a while in ORDER TO CONTINUE. I was reviewing whether there was a "RECALL CAMPAIGN" for this problem but there is nothing.
UNDERSTAND THAT IS A PROBLEM WHICH FORD IS RESPONSIBLE.
Bought my 2006 Explorer because my 1988 and 2000 Explorers were great. Now I have 64K and need a new transmission. After 15 minutes the engines RPM's rev and won't kick down into a lower gear. The Ford Dealer told me it will be $2-3,000 to repair. I see others have fixed theirs and still have the same issues. We all need to have Ford recall this issue or start a class action lawsuit. Everyone needs to call Ford and start complaining.
FINALLY reached the end of my story for now that is...in addition to the thermostat housing leak, they also informed my of some transmission problems... TRANS PSI jumping around & a 3-4 shift flare (whatever this means????) anyway I needed a new Main Control and Solenoid Pack which thankfully was only covered because I bought the extended warranty (which I essentially just prepaid for all of these repairs, should be just about even by now). Then they continued to tell me of all kinds of "maintenance" problems that I need to have fixed - NOT by them! The story never ends...
Purchased the Explorer in Sept 06. have had the radiator replaced twice and now the transmission. I purchased the extended warranty on the SUV. When I took my vehicle in to be looked at my car was within the mileage of the warranty. They couldn't fix it til the following week, sent me on my way driving it. Told me to bring it back. When I took it back I was told I had went over on my warranty mileage so they want to charge me for the transmission now. Its been 3 weeks now. I keep getting a run around from both the dealership and the service dept where my SUV is at. As a single parent I don't have the funds to pay for a new transmission. What is the point in me even having an extended warranty if its not covering anything.
I feel like people work hard for their money and should not have the headache of knowing that they're spending their cash on a lemon.this was the worst that i went through. I'm stressed out behind ford. I really depended on my explorer to get me around. All I can say is rip off.
I have a Ford Explorer 2006 since I have had this car it has been nothing but problems. The first week the car shut off on me (new car now). This car third row seat and middle seat that folds not working, light inside the car by the sunroof has water in it when it rains, and the car is skipping. We have had work done for the skipping and the seats but it only lasted for a few weeks. I think I will just tell the company to come pick this junk up. Nothing but a mess from week one to now, and I have 13 month left on this mess.
It's a shame that Ford builds inferior products. Our 2006 Explorer has had major problems since we bought it. In January of 2007, our vehicle lost all power while we were driving. We had to coast to the side of the road while in the middle of a busy intersection. We left the vehicle with Ford on January 11, 2007 and did not get the problem solved until January 27, 2007. We had to drive around with a computer attachment and wait for the electrical failure to happen again so your service department could figure out what was wrong with our vehicle. It was dangerous and scary having to drive around and know that our car could stall at any moment. In February of 2010 our transmission started slipping and our radiator started leaking. We took our Explorer to your service department and they repaired the transmission and replaced the radiator. Thank goodness we still had a warranty at this time.
We took our 2006 Ford Explorer to them on October 1, 2011 because the transmission was slipping. After looking at it they said that they were not sure what was wrong with it and they would have to open it up in order to diagnose it and it could cost us up to $2,000.00 to repair our vehicle. My husband and I met with Jim to discuss this being unreasonable especially since our car has only 58832 miles on it. He said he would contact Ford Motor Company and see what they could do to help us. Jim called us back later in the day and told us all Ford could offer us was a discount price of up to $3,850.00 to replace the transmission or approximately $2,000.00 to repair the defective part if it turned out to be a minor problem. Jim said since our warranty had expired there was nothing they could do. Since we could not afford to pay such an outlandish amount we decided to take our car to another mechanic who would treat us fairly and offer a reasonable price. When we went to pick up our car we were charged a $180.00 computer diagnostic fee. We were very unhappy about paying this fee considering the fact that this was re-curing problem that they knew our Explorer was having back in February of 2010.
I have had this problem since buying this"06" in 2010.It lunges forward (bucking) when I take off.It shifts hard at low speeds and jerks the car forward.Been to the dealer 4 times and still no fix.Won't buy FORD next time!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This vehicle has had on going transmission problems for the past 3 years. Spent $3200 to have it completely overhauled and then 2 years later the same problem starts.
- Todd F., Barrie, ON, Canada